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January 17, 2005

Unbesmirched

Via Luboš Motl, I learn that Bill O’Reilly says he’s a Harvard alumnus

Take it from this Harvard alum. We’re not exactly talking the Mardi Gras up there in Cambridge. However, I did have some fun at Harvard, mostly at other people’s expense, which, of course, may have been ridiculous.

The thought that such a first-class nitwit might have graduated from my beloved alma mater was somewhat … unsettling.

Fortunately, alumnæ of Harvard College can breath a sigh of relief. None of the “William O’Reilly”s in the Harvard Alumni Directory graduated from Harvard College. There is, however, a certain “William J. O’Reilly” of Manhasset NY, who spent the 1995/96 academic year obtaining a Masters of Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government.

KSG graduates will have to live with the ignominy.

Posted by distler at January 17, 2005 12:17 AM

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5 Comments & 0 Trackbacks

Re: Unbesmirched

Come on, Jacques, you must be really blinded by some radical political emotions if you don’t see that Bill O’Reilly is one of the brightest journalists focusing on politics. In some sense, he’s a genius. He’s a fast thinker, he can work with a lot of data, but he can always pick the eseential points - and points from both sides.

I apologize but none of the far left bloggers I know of can’t compare with him in understanding of politics.

Yes, he has a Master degree from KSG.

Posted by: Lubos Motl on January 17, 2005 11:18 AM | Permalink | Reply to this

Re: Unbesmirched

He is a loudmouthed boor, who would sooner cut the microphone of a guest, who dares to disagree with him, than allow his little bubble of self-importance to be burst.

To call him “one of the brightest journalists focussing on politics,” is an insult to the profession of journalism (even if you don’t hold the latter in terribly high regard). The contrast couldn’t be more pitiful than when he’s confronted with a real journalist.

Are there dumber people on the “loudmouthed boor” circuit? Certainly. I’d be embarrassed to be associated with them, too.

Posted by: Jacques Distler on January 17, 2005 11:44 AM | Permalink | PGP Sig | Reply to this

Re: Unbesmirched

Smart people that can be jerks too; it doesn’t make them any less likely to graduate from Harvard. O’Reilly must have done *something* right to be able to graduate from KSG.

Posted by: didier on January 17, 2005 8:59 PM | Permalink | Reply to this

Re: Unbesmirched

I’m not certain whether you have to do “*something* right” to graduate from KSG; though, I’m certain that Mr. O’Reilly’s celebrity preceded him, making his admission that much more likely than it otherwise would have been. Moreover, I’m doubtful that Mr. O’Reilly encountered the type of intellectual rigour that most non-celebrity KSG students face during their studies.

Posted by: Ron Mashate on January 18, 2005 12:00 PM | Permalink | Reply to this

Intellectual rigour

Intellectual rigour and Bill O’Reilly have never rubbed shoulders, not at the KSG, nor elsewhere.

I submit to you O’Reilly on “Intelligent Design”, but, really, we could have chosen any of his broadcasts.

Posted by: Jacques Distler on January 29, 2005 3:27 AM | Permalink | PGP Sig | Reply to this

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