Pulitzer Prize Winner Speaks at St. John's

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times war correspondent David S. Rohde appeared at the Seventh Annual Lecture Series at St. John's School last night.

"I can't imagine the anxiety filled evenings and days waiting to hear of David's well-being," said St. John's School Headmaster Michael Welch as he introduced Rohde, who was held captive by the Taliban.

Judge Abdella, the philanthropist for who the Abdella Center for Ethics was named, also spoke last night.

"He established himself as a journalist of the highest order," Abdella said. "The world had thought it had seen the last of genocide, and owes you a debt of gratitude," said Abdella of Rohde's earlier work in Bosnia. Abdella also spoke of Rohde's humanitarian efforts and upheld him as a champion of first amendment freedoms of speech and religion.

Two students, Nasser Eledroos and Benjamin Gowaski read Muslim and Christian peace prayers, in two languages, Arabic and English.

"I am thrilled to be home among Red Sox fans," said Rohde as he took the stage. "I am speaking to students. Ethics will be vital in your life in ways you don't understand yet. If you are ethical you will succeed in ways you never dreamed."

Rohde introspectively pointed to personal ethical dilemmas as lessons. He spoke regrettably of the burdens he imposed on his wife and family with "endless trips" away from the home.

Citing a different scenario Rohde stated that when threatened with decapitation he made the ethical error of telling the Taliban that he was worth millions, which he said conflicted with America's strict policy to never negotiate with terrorists. Rohde said the statement also triggered a demand for $25 million in ransom from his family.

He condemned the use of "facts exaggerated for political gain" by journalists, politicians and religious extremists.

"The truth does not always fit in boxes and neither Obama nor Boehner (John Boehner is expected to replace Nancy Pelosi's seat as Speaker of the House of Representative) are always right," he said.

"The end does not justify the means," Rohde said. "I am skeptical of organized religion," he said that religious bigotry was unethical as well.

"All Muslims are not terrorists—more Muslims have died at the hands of the Taliban," he said. "This is not a religious war; it is the twisting of religion that is the problem. My captors did not follow true Islam."

"Judge people as individuals and respect those who are different than others," he said. "Al Qaeda wants us to discriminate against Muslims; they want to make this a religious war for their own benefit."

Rohde repeatedly paraphrased the Golden Rule as the epitome of ethics. "Treat others as you would like to be treated," he said.

It was pointed out in the program that Rohde learned only after his escape that the American government, The N.Y. Times and his family stood on principle and would not negotiate with terrorists. 

After the lecture, when asked about the Fox News stories alleging that the New York Times bribed Taliban guards through a private company with CIA ties, Rohde refuted the allegations as false.

Now, he feels the ethical thing to do it retire from war correspondence. 

"My mother has revoked my passport," he said.  

Steven Caputo, a student usher, with hopes of working for the State Department someday, compared Rohde to an international rock star. "This is so cool, he said after the lecture.

A full screen image of Rohde's new book was featured at the lecture. The book, "A Rope and a Prayer" will be available in bookstores on Nov. 30. It is an account of Rohde's capture by the Taliban, his escape after being held for seven months and how it affected his family, the New York Times and the United States. Rohde's wife, Kristen Mulvihill, co-authored the book.

Last night's speech was called "Seeking Truth in an Age of Extremes" and was open to the general public. More than 900 people attended the lecture.

For more information about Rohde, visit St. John's Web site.