[SpinyNorman]

Sent the following to the President of the college:

Dear Sir,

I was appalled to read the press release from the Wells College Republicans regarding the statements of Professor A. Thomas Vawter.

Calling Republicans "stupid" and needing to be "forcibly lobotomized" shows that Vawter has all the debating skills of a rather slow adolescent rather than a college professor. As a biologist myself, I feel that his remarks, which he had the poor taste to broadcast over a campus wide email, to be an insult to our profession and to scientists as a whole. He has shown himself to be an embarrassment to both your college and the academic community.

The reported repression of the diversity of thought on your campus certainly makes it unworthy of consideration for my children when the time for the selection of colleges comes up. I certainly would not subject them to this level of repression or harrassment.

I would like to know if Professor Vawter will be censured in any way, and would, at minimum, very much like to see a public apology from him as a small step towards repairing the damage he has done to scientists and free thinkers everywhere.

Sincerely, (SpinyNorman)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Great job, Spiny! You will really get the attention of the President with your indication that you wouldn't consider sending your children to Wells. As you know, that is exactly the kind of thing college presidents, particularly at small schools, worry about.

Your credentials as a biologist give you added credibility.

The reasoned and civil tone of your message make it much more effective than a rant.