Posted on 11/08/2005 11:54:49 AM PST by Bob J
For all appropriate links in this article, visit the original at the link above.
Coming from an academic background, nothing steams my bean so much as a professor misusing his power to try to destroy the incipient career of a PhD student --an offense made even more egregious when such bullying is part of a campaign to punish said student for his political views.
For those of you who haven’t been following the story as it makes its way around the blogosphere, Info-Theory’s Paul Deignan, a PhD student, was the victim of a “retaliatory” attack by a professor who didn’t appreciate Paul’s insinuating himself into a blog thread on the leftwing academic blog, Bitch PhD [this being a leftwing site, the administrator has removed the exchange in question; Paul saved it here]. Evidently, Paul’s attempt to debate substantively and civilly was regarded as beyond the pale. Notes the good professor in a comment on Paul’s blog, “Your behavior is highly unprofessional. If the shoe was on the other foot—if I were disruptive and unprofessional on a right wing site, I’d expect to be called on it. But I don’t troll conservative academic sites. It would be unprofessional to disrupt their discussions and contrary to the spirit of free enquiry—liberal values you seem to be unfamiliar with” [my emphasis].
In the world of the academy (in the humanities, in particular), anything that doesn’t echo established leftist orthodoxies is considered an “attack”—and not surprisingly, this professor took Paul’s criticisms as “contrary to the spirit of free enquiry” (which, sadly, has been twisted to mean “freedom from criticism"). To remedy this, the professor took it upon himself to call Paul’s faculty dissertation advisor (at a different school) to let him know—as a professional courtesy, you see—of Paul’s alleged poor form (which a review of the evidence will show consisted of nothing more than his arguing his positions quite civilly). This, after calling Paul both “a lunatic” and “homely” in an email.
Such is an absolutely unconscionable misuse of power. Further, it as an intentional effort to ruin Paul’s academic career. And because it was done explicitly to punish Paul for his social and political views on the legality of abortion (all of this took place in the context of a debate over Alito’s nomination), it is intellectual McCarthyism at its most baldfaced and cowardly.
The professor’s name is Wallace Hettle , who teaches history at the University of Northern Iowa. He claims to be tenured, which evidently (in his mind) means he’s reached the exalted position where he can now, without fear of reprisal, wield his position like a cudgel—defending the gates of academia from those whose ideological positions differ from his own.
Wallace Hettle , in my opinion, embodies everything that is wrong with the modern academy. If his behavior over the last several days is any indication, he is doctrinaire and vindictive; and he is an intellectual coward who uses his authority to crush dissent and punish those who dare to voice it. He is meanspirited, and he hides behind the protection of his tenure. People like professor Hettle need to be held to account if we are ever to reclaim the integrity of the humanities departments, overwhelmingly comprised of those who share Hettle’s ideological bent (though not necessarily his character deficiencies).
Here’s the Department of History’s contact information: Department of History - University of Northern Iowa - Seerley 319 - Cedar Falls, IA - 50614 - (319)-273-2097.
Anyone who has a moment to do so, please contact the Department’s Chair, Dr Robert F Martin , and let him know of your displeasure. (319) 273-2097
Paul is pursuing legal action. But I think it important that non-academics express their outrage, as well. After all, somebody we know and care about may one day be in the same position as Paul. UNI’s President is Robert Koob. His office can be reached here: Office of the President, 20 Seerley Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0705’
(319) 273-2566 (voice); (319) 273-6494.
Ya.....right!
"Yep. I think it should be SOP to do such a search on any leftwing moonbat spotted."
It can be rather eye opening. The first time I really did it and posted the results was when the AP maggot lied about the crowd cheering when GW announced that Clintoon had a heart attack. That one was really bad.
This search works better on Yahoo.com than google.
As bad as the homosexual agenda usually is, I don't see what this incident has to do with it. No doubt most liberals are on the record supporting the homosexual agenda (since that is one of the issues on which there is significant dispute), which would explain the correlation.
I've come to wonder if the lefty profs aren't mesmerized by the unusual phenomenon presented by the simultaneously existent zero delta of Democrat accomplishment and infinite delta of Democrat spin!
Thanks!
We may find out as this evolves and unwinds.
This guy needs an agressive lawyer and right now.
bump to read later
Somebody already posted a reply to this, but I gotta chime in here.
Your original impression is still correct. Education is a good thing.
Those suppressors of dissent could use an education.
But they have now structured the academy to prevent their ever getting it.
Might also be effective to contact the dean of his school or his department head.
That's what they want you to think. The goal is to a)keep conservatives from earning doctorates, and b) to keep them out of academia.
Once you have your degree, many doors will open for you, and you can leave them in your dust.
Unfortunately, this professor is not in the minority. This happens routinely, only this student was brave enough to fight back.
You forgot your /sarcasm tag.
later read maybe pingout.
Lefties/dums/socialist et al will destroy anyone that doesn't goose step behind their sicko ideas.
"How long would it take you to realize that they don't want you in their club?"
Probably until after the trial.
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