Perhaps they fear DPD and don't want to make matters worse for Duke students.... a sad commentary, but not one out of the realm of possibility. After all, fear is how Nifong operates. Perhaps they feel the best course of action for the time being is to try to get rid of the asshat (can I say that?) under the radar. Then, if that doesn't work, more overt actions may become necessary.
I hope you are right, but methinks that the Duke Administration and Faculty support Nifong, and delight in the ruination of white males, in greater numbers than you think. The stories I heard were unbelievable -- including one from a neighbor (also an alum) at a conference last spring that the public affairs officer at the law school stating that he told a prospective student that he could not guarantee their daughter's safety from other Duke students. The only time we will hear from the faculty is if the students are convicted, and you will hear the sound of gloating.
The fundamental disconnect is when COach K stated that Duke was in the "kid business." Few faculty share that view. Most do not view their mission as the education of young men and women, but rather activism and prestige among the professoriate. How many faculty members do you think rank teaching their students as one of their 5 or so principle functions? Brodhead's attitude is based upon students being expendable and a burden to his primary missions, which is fundraising and placating way-too-influential faculty.
I love Duke, but this situation gets no better until we get a new President and Administration dedicated to educating students and weeding out narcissistic faculty.
" Perhaps they feel the best course of action for the time being is to try to get rid of the asshat (can I say that?) under the radar. Then, if that doesn't work, more overt actions may become necessary."
Don't they read about the '60s? Believe me, being silent and acting like a victim doesn't help. And there are ways of getting the Admin and the town to sit up and take notice.
A few simple pointers :
Wear T-shirts with a message to class and around the campus. That's a good non-violent protest. (How about one that says, "They're innocent! Don't keep silent!") Even one person in a class wearing that, gets attention.
Wear the wristbands.
A couple of dozen students at the court house getting in the face of the cameras and press, and demanding to know why the coverage is so biased and anti-student, and anti-defense,
etc., will help. Flyers should be prepared already with a list of when and where the press has failed in its duty to report the news, and with URLS where they can find the truth; even reprints from Liestoppers. Make yourselves part of the story. (i.e., "The whole world is watching!" Let them know you'll be reporting on their news reports, watching for bias and errors.)