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Posted on 10/01/2001 2:23:59 AM PDT by Texas_Jarhead
Radical UT Professor, University President Exchange Blows
By Marc Levin
FrontPageMagazine.com | October 1, 2001
ONLY TWO DAYS after the terrorist attacks, Americans were not in the mood for blaming the victim and neither was University of Texas President Larry Faulkner. On September 13, the Houston Chronicle published a guest editorial by UT-Austin Journalism Professor Bob Jensen alleging that violence inflicted by U.S. foreign policy was responsible for the events of September 11.
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Titled "U.S. Just as Guilty of Committing Own Violent Acts," Jensen's screed followed a condemnation of the September 11 attacks with the assertion that, "This act was no more despicable than the massive acts of terrorism – the deliberate killing of civilians for political purposes – that the U.S. government has committed during my lifetime."
Jensen proceeded to cite many U.S. military actions that, while they may have resulted in civilian deaths, were intended to hit military targets in response to acts of aggression. Jensen even alluded to the cruise missiles the Clinton administration launched on Afghanistan in an attempt to nail Osama bin Laden and his terrorist training camps. Remarkably Jensen is unable to differentiate between the inherent inaccuracy of military strikes and the murderous acts committed on September 11, which were intended to kill only civilians.
Jensen's diatribe led UT President Larry Faulkner to pen a letter to the editor stating that Jensen spoke only for himself, not for the University, and expressing his own personal disagreement with Jensen's view, even while vigorously defending Jensen's First Amendment right to speak out. After defending free speech, Faulkner's letter declares, "Using the same liberty, I convey my personal judgment that Jensen is not only misguided, but has become a fountain of undiluted foolishness on issues of public policy."
Faulker could not be more correct. While Jensen does indeed have every right to write radical left-wing editorials, he should be stopped from using the classroom as a soapbox for his political agenda. The Review observed Jensen's course entitled "Media Law and Ethics" several years ago and found that he spent one whole class period discussing "white privilege" and the need for racial preferences. Another whole hour was devoted to gay rights. As neither of these topics related to the curriculum, students frequently got up and left the classroom instead of listening to Jensen bloviate.
On the last day of the class, Jensen "came out" and discussed how he left his wife and child to become a homosexual. He then compared the struggle of gays in this country to that of blacks. While Jensen has every right to change his sexual preference, he is paid to teach "Media Law and Ethics," not to engage in political brainwashing and personal confessionals.
Unfortunately, Jensen has received tenure, but President Faulkner should insist he put students and the subject matter he is supposed to teach ahead of his own personal biases. If he refuses, Jensen should be fired.
Of course, some of Jensen's colleagues thought Faulkner's letter alone was inappropriate. UT Communication Studies Professor Dana Cloud, who, like Jensen, is a fixture of leftist protests on campus, told the Daily Texan Faulkner's letter could have a "chilling" effect on the University. She explained, "I think there is a message being sent that political diversity is not welcome here."
In reality, Faulkner's letter clearly recognized Jensen's First Amendment rights before going on to state what he clearly described as his own personal opinion. In classic liberal doublespeak, Cloud is implying that Jensen has the right to air his personal opinion while Faulkner does not. While Cloud may wish to suggest some professor somewhere might be chilled, it would take a blizzard to chill Jensen. Anyone know when the next flight leaves for Alaska?
In fact, the incident has worked out quite well for Jensen, who spoke to a nationwide audience on Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor" on September 24. Unfortunately, O'Reilly did not have an opportunity to ask Jensen about the November 14, 1998 Austin speech by former President George H.W. Bush at which Jensen had to be removed by police after he disrupted the lecture by screaming at Bush in anger over his policy towards Iraq.
Whether it is his misuse of his classroom or the shouting down of a former President, Bob Jensen has gone well beyond the bounds of the First Amendment and off the deep end.
Marc Levin is State Vice Chairman of the Young Conservatives of Texas (www.yct.org) and a third-year law student at the University of Texas. He can be reached at mrmarclv@aol.com.
Sounds like Jensen could use a little old-fashioned Texas hospitality.
When I read this part of the article, the first thought that came to my mind was "this man is a walking cliché".
The real deeper meaning, is that if the Arabs had been passive (like say the Swedes) for the last 50 years there would have been zero reason for any military actions against them.
The mistakes were made a long time ago.
My kingdom for a major university where Cloud's definition of political diversity is not welcomed.
How about enrolling all the campus stray dogs as his only students?
Or maybe require a necktie that said something like "I was a dild* for Clinton"
Yes, our gov has done some terrible things. But this guy needs a brain transplant.
Exactly. Now get the hell out.
Here's a webpage featuring Bob.Click here
I got a kick out of this...Jensen's prolific writings cover topics including.. media depictions of gender and sexuality, pornography and violence against women, as well as feminist ethics and jurisprudence.
Bob's a mess, imho. His wife should be glad she's free of this freak.
buggered by Bevo
I thought there was a fight. Instead it's Jensen wishing they'd come to "blows".
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