University alumnus and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli addressed students yesterday in the South Lawn Commons, drawing supporters as well as dozens of protestors from several student groups. The event was co-sponsored by the University Republicans and the Virginia Law and Graduate Republicans.
In his speech, Cuccinelli addressed the two major suits his office filed against the federal government but did not wish to discuss his subpoena of documents relating to the work of former Environmental Science Prof. Michael Mann, a climate scientist who Cuccinelli believes exaggerated claims regarding global warming.
Cuccinelli first discussed his challenge of an Environmental Protection Agency ruling in December 2009 that greenhouse gases pose an endangerment to public health. "Along with Alabama and Texas, we filed a suit on that endangerment finding not being consistent with the law," Cuccinelli said. "If we lose this case, the economic impact would be equivalent to that of cap and trade. It would raise electricity rates double what they are over the next 10 years."
Environmental Science Prof. Vivian Thomson said afterward that she disagreed with Cuccinelli's statement about the costs associated with the EPA's finding, calling it "not true."
"The EPA is proposing changes that would increase fuel efficiency and mean net benefits," Thomson said.
The second issue Cuccinelli addressed was the lawsuit his office has filed against the federal government regarding the constitutionality of the health care reform bill.
"Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia Health Care Freedom Act that says no Virginian can be required to purchase health care," Cuccinelli said. "Shortly after, health care reform was passed requiring most Americans buy government-approved health insurance. The individual mandate is what violates the Virginia statute."
Cuccinelli continued, comparing his complaints with the health care reform bill to those early American colonists had with the Stamp Act.
"This is not about health insurance so much as it is about liberty," Cuccinelli said. "What is the limit of the federal government?" He added that in challenging the federal bill, he is "using the Constitution as the founding fathers intended."
The attorney general's appearance attracted strong negative reactions from some members of the University community.
Outside the lecture hall before he arrived, two dozen protestors wearing shirts with an image of Cuccinelli donning devil horns and a tail, gathered, chanting, "Cuccinelli's got to go." They carried signs which read, "Leave us scientists alone," and, "Science: not determined by popular vote." The group was made up almost entirely of graduate students in the environmental science department who were outraged by Cuccinelli's subpoena for Mann's documents.
"Everyone at the University is standing against what he is doing," Graduate Arts & Sciences student Rishi Das said. "He is misusing his power to prosecute the University and impinging on academic freedom. As a student of environmental sciences, I particularly feel he is abusing his power. He has taken antagonistic stand toward the University."
Cuccinelli refused to take any questions from the protestors. He did address the topic, however, after an audience member not affiliated with the protest asked about why he re-issued the subpoena after District Court Judge Paul Peatross struck down the original subpoena in August.
"We complied with the judge and appealed the ruling," Cuccinelli said. "This is all being done according to the Fraud Against Taxpayers Act."
He also added that this is not the only case that has seen such subpoenas, citing cases in which subpoenas were issued to review documents for inconsistencies with Virginia's mortgage laws.
Protestor Luke Cole, a Graduate Arts & Sciences student, said he was not satisfied by Cuccinelli's response. "His replies were fluff, circuitous, vague and scattershot," Cole said.
"He knew people have strong opinions and strong personal reactions, and he steered clear," Das added.
Cuccinelli also fielded questions from two audience members about the letter he issued in March that told the University to exclude sexual orientation from its nondiscrimination clause, to comply with the policies of the state government. "Everyone in Virginia should get the same protection from the police under the law," he said, regardless of sexual orientation. He added that many proposed bills seeking nondiscrimination rights for homosexuals have failed. A number of universities, knowing that state law does not include sexual orientation, "have chosen to enact policies anyway, but these are not enforceable under law."
When third-year Engineering student Seth Kaye of Queer and Allied Activism further challenged Cuccinelli about past statements he made calling homosexuality "intrinsically wrong" and "unnatural," Cuccinelli said he stood by those opinions.
"I think it is the correct position and I hope it does add to discourse," he said.
Despite his personal beliefs, though, he added, "It doesn't matter the nature of a victim of a crime, I am charged with protecting anyone in Virginia."
Students who attended the lecture said they found it to be a particularly charged event, as protestors lined up outside and others confronted him during the question-and-answer session.
College student Dylan Brewer said he came to the event to "see the show." College student Parker Reynolds agreed, adding, "I am not part of any political organizations, and not necessarily active, but I like to observe"
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