Communications Professor Allegedly Offered Extra Credit For Burning U.S. Flag, Constitution

Blogger News Network ^ | November 5, 2007

[KarlInOhio]

Would this professor include "arrested defending free speech" someone who held an affirmative action bake sale and refused to shut it down when the university brownshirts stopped by.

No, I didn't think so.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Grosswiler explained that a provocative example of free speech, such as flag burning, “demonstrate[s] the courage necessary to support free expression...”

That Thompson video comes to mind: "It's the soldier not the poet..."
Want to demonstrate the courage to support free expression? Join the service.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

Their true feelings come out. They hate this country and want to destroy it.

[theBuckwheat]

If you got extra credit for advancing the liberal agenda, it should go without saying that anyone found resisting would face severe academic sanction.

[chimera]

Or the so-called “Rainbow Flag”. Some guys in my town got in trouble for doing just that. You guessed it, “hate speech” (not against rainbows).

[RonF]

She should get a flag that has been damaged beyond repair and hold a flag retirement ceremony in public. She should have the ceremony taped and then turn it in. It’s certainly an exercise of free speech, and my guess is that on this college campus she’ll get a sufficient number of spectators who will show their opposition to a respectful treatment of the American flag that the tape will prove that this act was provocative.

[RonF]

So, basically, the official UM position is that the “respected” professor is either a fool or a liar.

I see a problem with this comment. It seems to eliminate the possibility that the professor is both a fool and a liar.

[Bob Loblaw]

"Grosswiler explained that a provocative example of free speech, such as flag burning, “demonstrate[s] the courage necessary to support free expression,”"

Sure, Professor Grosswiler.

I'll believe in your dedication to "provocative examples of free speech" as soon as you give extra credit to anyone arrested while trying to distribute information and pictures at an abortion "clinic:.

[theothercheek]

Well, the spokesperson is a PR guy - you have to expect him to put as best a face on it as he can.

[theothercheek]

Gee, who could possibly hate a rainbow???

[theothercheek]

Since most people don’t know that this is how to properly retire a flag, they’ll think she’s exercising her free speech rights as defined by that professor. She would have gotten an “A” for sure ...

[theothercheek]

Great question! Bet not ...

[Neoliberalnot]

No problem if first the Prof is wrapped and bound tightly with said flag.

[Noumenon]

Offer to burn Das Kapital instead.

[Albion Wilde]

Professor Grosswiler has been awarded a Senior Scholar Fulbright to teach for a semester at Wuhan University School of Journalism in China. He recently spent a semester as Visiting Professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, where he offered a graduate course on Canadian scholar Marshall McLuhan's work. Professor Grosswiler has published a book revisiting McLuhan's media and social theories. He also has published a dozen journal articles and book chapters. Professor Grosswiler's research focuses on technology and culture, mass communication and social theory, cultural studies, postmodern media theories, international mass communication, and political mass communication. He has presented research papers at more than twenty national and international professional conferences, including the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the International Communication Association, the Canadian Communication Association, and the Annual Conference of Cuban and North American Philosophers. He conducted research in Tanzania and traveled to Cuba before being selected for the Senior Scholar Fulbright in China. Before joining the faculty in 1991, Professor Grosswiler held positions at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Ithaca College, and Towson State University. He previously worked as a newspaper police reporter in Missouri and a features editor and media columnist in Maine. Professor Grosswiler teaches mass communication history, international mass communication, and media ethics. He is program coordinator for Journalism and Mass Communication.

[matthew fuller]

Git a rope! Hang a noose!

[Albion Wilde]

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Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs &
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Associate Provost for Undergraduate
Education - Susan Hunter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207-581-1547
hunter@maine.edu

Faculty Senate President Robert Rice 207-581-2883
robert rice@umit.maine.edu

[Albion Wilde]

Bangor News article about this situation, with comments.

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

I would have brought an American flag... A REAL BIG ONE to class, Thrown it over him and wrapped him up in it. Then doused it with a gallon or 2 of gas and clicked my lighter... then asked how much extra credit I would get for not lighting it.

[Dumb_Ox]

offered extra credit to class members if they burned the American flag or the U.S. Constitution

I was wondering how long it would take for free speech poseurs to burn the Constitution. Its an especial irony to burn the very thing that guarantees the right to free speech. It fits in with the obnoxiously self-aware activism of the age, and echoes the respect for the Constitution shown by our government.

How many on this thread are reacting to the flagburning part, and not the Constitution part?