Posted on 03/03/2009 8:31:31 AM PST by yankeedame
For CCSU [Cen. Conn. State University] student John Wahlberg, a class presentation on campus violence turned into a confrontation with the campus police due to a complaint by the professor.
On October 3, 2008, Wahlberg and two other classmates prepared to give an oral presentation for a Communication 140 class that was required to discuss a “relevant issue in the media”. Wahlberg and his group chose to discuss school violence due to recent events such as the Virginia Tech shootings that occurred in 2007.
Shortly after his professor, Paula Anderson, filed a complaint with the CCSU Police against her student. During the presentation Wahlberg made the point that if students were permitted to conceal carry guns on campus, the violence could have been stopped earlier in many of these cases. He also touched on the controversial idea of free gun zones on college campuses.
That night at work, Wahlberg received a message stating that the campus police “requested his presence”. Upon entering the police station, the officers began to list off firearms that were registered under his name, and questioned him about where he kept them.
They told Wahlberg that they had received a complaint from his professor that his presentation was making students feel “scared and uncomfortable”.
“I was a bit nervous when I walked into the police station,” Wahlberg said, “but I felt a general sense of disbelief once the officer actually began to list the firearms registered in my name. I was never worried however, because as a law-abiding gun owner, I have a thorough understanding of state gun laws as well as unwavering safety practices.”
Professor Anderson refused to comment directly on the situation and deferred further comment.
“It is also my responsibility as a teacher to protect the well being of our students, and the campus community at all times,” she wrote in a statement submitted to The Recorder. “As such, when deemed necessary because of any perceived risks, I seek guidance and consultation from the Chair of my Department, the Dean and any relevant University officials.”
Wahlberg believes that her complaint was filed without good reason.
“I don’t think that Professor Anderson was justified in calling the CCSU police over a clearly nonthreatening matter. Although the topic of discussion may have made a few individuals uncomfortable, there was no need to label me as a threat,” Wahlberg said in response. “The actions of Professor Anderson made me so uncomfortable, that I didn’t attend several classes. The only appropriate action taken by the Professor was to excuse my absences.”
The university police were unavailable for comment.
“If you can’t talk about the Second Amendment, what happened to the First Amendment?” asked Sara Adler, president of the Riflery and Marksmanship club on campus. “After all, a university campus is a place for the free and open exchange of ideas.”
“talking” about guns is hate speech!....................
She's clearly harassing him and violating his civil rights.
“Wussifacation of America.”
I prefer the term “Hippyfication”
Do Professor Anderson’s thuggish actions also make you feel “scared and uncomfortable?” I’m sure she would want to know.
Name: Anderson, Paula
Phone Number: 8322690
Job Title: Lecturer
Department: Communication
Location: R C Vance Acad Ctr 317
Email: andersonpau@ccsu.edu
“I would’ve felt threatened by the professor and called the police.”
BINGO! Under the circumstances presented above, you have the correct and appropriate response.
Kudos to you.
The student’s first amendment rights have been violated. He should sue the professor, university, and campus police. The professor should be fired over this stunt. The university and police department should provide a public apology for this attack on free speech.
That was my first thought. Rent a cops have access to firearms registries?
And don’t forget the right not be “offended”. All these “rights” (including abortion) are, of course, explicitly spelled out in the Constitution.
And don’t forget the right not be “offended”. All these “rights” (including abortion) are, of course, explicitly spelled out in the Constitution.
It seems Mr. Walberg violated the other students’ right not to hear or see anything that might make them uncomfortable. I also had no idea that making people feel uncomfortable I wonder what the professor said that prompted the cops to look up his gun registration information. How was it represented that his comments comprised a threat to “the well being of our students, and the campus community” and why she “perceived risks”.
We need to start using the left wings tactic of “law suit at the drop of a hat” against them.
If we sue any time and every time we can, they will back off. Yes, I realize shysters are drooling at the idea, but we have to use the tools at hand and the only one that seems to work is taking money away from them as often as possible.
Believe you me, I work at a university. This is NOT the
case. It is “1984”. I have found myself in the “principles
office” more than once myself over “perceived” offenses.
Gees. Don’t give me that “free and open exchange of ideas”
crap.....
John Wahlberg may believe that he “owns” some guns, but some night in the wee hours at about oh-dark-thirty, his doors will come crashing down, and he and his family will be cuffed naked on the floor, as the men in black jumpsuits trash his house.
Maybe states could start to issue permits to people before they are allowed to speak...
>>>>“After all, a university campus is a place for the free and open exchange of ideas.”
>>It hasn’t been that way for a long, long time, kiddo.
True enough, though it seems to me that if colleges are still marketing themselves that way they should be vulnerable to ‘false advertising’ claims. In an ideal world of course.
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