Mirecki mum on details of beating

Lawrence Journal-World ^ | December 7, 2005 | Eric Weslander

[johnnyb_61820]

Key facts about the reported attack remained unclear Tuesday, including exactly where it happened. A report released by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the location was “unknown” and listed it as south of 31st Street on either East 1400 Road or East 1500 Road.

Louisiana Street turns into East 1400 Road outside the city limits. Haskell Avenue becomes East 1500 Road.

Also, there was conflicting information about whether Mirecki reported it at the scene or at the hospital. In an interview Monday with the Journal-World, he said he called police from the side of the road, but sheriff’s officials said they were dispatched to the hospital.

Mirecki declined to clarify the discrepancy when asked about it Tuesday outside the sheriff’s office.

“I can; I just don’t want to,” he said.

The sheriff’s report, which is classified as an aggravated battery, says that Mirecki suffered minor injuries. It says the incident started about 6:20 a.m. and was reported about 6:40 a.m.

KU faculty on Tuesday pondered the effects that recent weeks’ events would have on the religious studies department.

“I don’t think we know how it’s going to shake out yet,” professor Tim Miller said. “This is a difficult time to get through. I want to get through as well as we can.”

Religious studies professor Jonathan Boyarin said, “I hope that we will be able to move forward in our scholarship and teaching with mutual respect among the academic community and the people of Kansas and the larger community around us.”

[Fester Chugabrew]

The DUmmies are commenting on your post . . .

Those catch words must have gotten their attention. They're like a broken record. Sad thing is there are some folks who really think this incident is an indictment against all Christians.

[Petronski]

I didn't make it sufficiently clear, btw, that I don't know or care about the actual age of the earth. My faith doesn't require I prove it's six-thousand years or any other number.

[Right Wing Professor]

I need more information. Either his story will hold up over time, or it won't.

Agreed. it will be interesting to see what the police think.

I have a feeling, though, that this is going to be one of those cases where they can't substantiate the report, but can't prove it's false either, and so one side will believe one thing, and the other side will believe the opposite.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Hehe. Sometimes a scar is just a scar.

[BnBlFlag]

If I, or any number of other "Rednecks", had beat his ass, he would be feeling it a lot more than the faking act he's puttin' on.

[MortMan]

I'm from up near Tonganoxie, and I agree with you!

[Antonello]

Actually it seems to be in accord with a handful of folks here who have used this incident to paint all Christians as complicit in violence against loony professors.

That paintbrush is actually firmly in the hands of the Christians themselves.

[cavtrooper21]

I don't have enough facts to make an informed opinion.
One wonders about the alleged beating given the location that the good professor gives as the site of the attack.
Although "rural" there are several homes in relative proximity and the road is traveled. Folks who work first shift in KC or Topeka would be on that route. I would have definitely stopped to assist someone getting a beating or at the very least called 911.
Yet nobody saw anything - nobody called.
Another point worth making are the visible injuries that get more noticeable the more attention the incident gets.
Amazing how that works.
I also wonder at the vapid response from the KU administration which has never had a problem supporting Profs with "controversial" issues. Although there has been no formal statement they really seem to be trying to smooth this over. I have great faith in the Douglas County SD to get to the bottom of this. Professor Mirecki, does the term "Sinking faster than the Lucitainia." mean anything to you. It should. You are.

[Alouette]

He probably got beat up by his drug dealer or bookie.

I think he had a lover's spat with his boyfriend.

[VeniVidiVici]

I think he had a lover's spat with his boyfriend

Yeah, although it was a foursome with Ward Churchill, English professor John Daly and the hate specialist Kerri Dunn.

Hmm. I'm beginning to see a pattern here with these self-proclaimed icons of tolerance.