Posted on 03/28/2003 5:44:19 AM PST by Sparky760
Defeat Troops, Professor Says Wants 'a million Mogadishus' By Ron Howell STAFF WRITER March 28, 2003 At an anti-war "teach-in" this week, a Columbia University professor called for the defeat of American forces in Iraq and said he would like to see "a million Mogadishus" - a reference to the Somali city where American soldiers were ambushed, with 18 killed, in 1993. "The only true heroes are those who find ways that help defeat the U.S. military," Nicholas De Genova, an assistant professor of anthropology and Latino studies at Columbia University, told the audience at Low Library Wednesday night. "I personally would like to see a million Mogadishus." De Genova was referring to the Mogadishu ambush and firefight, known for its graphic image of a slain American soldier being dragged through the streets. The battle was portrayed in the film "Black Hawk Down." The crowd was largely silent at De Genova's remark. They loudly applauded him later when he said, "If we really [believe] that this war is criminal ... then we have to believe in the victory of the Iraqi people and the defeat of the U.S. war machine." At least two of the speakers who followed De Genova distanced themselves from his comments. One of them was teach-in organizer Eric Foner, a history professor, who disagreed with De Genova's assertion that Americans who called themselves "patriots" also were white supremacists. In a telephone interview yesterday, Foner went further in his criticism, calling De Genova's statements "idiotic." "I thought that was completely uncalled for," Foner said. "We do not desire the deaths of American soldiers." Foner said that because of the university's tradition of freedom of speech, it was unlikely De Genova would suffer professionally in any way because of what he said. "A person's politics have no impact on their employment status here, whether they are promoted, whether they are fired or whether they get tenure," Foner said. De Genova did not want to discuss yesterday whether he had tenure. Acknowledging his beliefs are more radical than those of many others at Wednesday's forum, he said his remarks reflect his concern for oppressed people. While he did not retract his statements, he said he hoped they do not lead to "death threats," like those he received after a controversial speech at a pro-Palestinian rally last spring. Regarding Wednesday's reference to Mogadishu, the professor, who is 35 and from Chicago, said the U.S. Army is composed largely of men and women who have a "treacherous lack of prospects for a decent life," but even so, they "have a choice" in whether to oppress people like the Iraqis. He said the Iraqis must liberate themselves from domestic oppressors as well as from foreign invaders like the United States. More than 3,000 students and faculty attended the Wednesday teach-in, which lasted from 6 p.m. until about midnight and featured more than two dozen professors and other scholars. The applause at De Genova's call for the defeat of U.S.-led forces in Iraq reflected widespread frustration at the inability to reverse President George W. Bush's Middle East policies, Foner said. "A kind of flamboyant statement like that will get an applause in the heat of the moment," the history professor said. By turns, the speakers Wednesday night said the Bush administration's actions in Iraq were bullying, illegal, deceitful, corrupt and murderous. History professor Barbara J. Fields said like-minded Americans should vigorously oppose Bush. "The 'good Germans' of the Nazi era were the few who said, 'No,'" Fields declared. Copyright © 2003, Newsday, Inc.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Hmm. Sounds like "air and comfort to the enemy."
What a piece of garbage !!! Blackbird.
I have called everyone there. The creep is probably gonna make a statement apologizing about the remarks and hoping that people won't misconstrue them---that they were made in the heat of the moment but America is all about free speech bla bla.
Watch this is what 's gonna happen. He isn't stupid-he needs his job. America and specifically Columbia - however does not need him! They a;ready have enough Marxists on the faculty.
I'll call back and see if it's right or overflowed or what. Gimmie a few.
SORRY. Hey tinkerers, what are the chances of changing that on little character of html? Good, slim or none?
This is a good place to flood them with comments.........good call. I just sent them my thoughts. I posed a question after saying how disgusting his comments were and that the college taking the stand that this is free speech is cowardly. The question I asked is if the Prof. had made the statement all blacks should be shipped to Africa, would that fall under the free speech clause?
Hello,
I wanted to express my concern over the comments recently made by Professor De Genova at the Low Library.
I believe that part of the goodness of the United States is that by virtue of the form of government we head dear, citizens are allowed to express themselves, if they choose, in a controversial manner, and concerning controversial topics. Is important for students develop critical thinking skills and to make important decisions, decisions that will help guide them in the rest of life's ventures.
However, Professor De Genova calling for "a million Mogadishus" serves an extremely limited purpose. Making this and other statements does not take a modicum of rational thought or reasonable contemplation. Indeed, it incites and demonstrates to people that whatever educational preparation Professor De Genova has undertaken, has apparently been overruled by such breathtaking emotionalism, that one can reasonably question if Professor De Genova use facts, logic and reasoning to put forth and define a position. I would seriously question his ability to do so based on his recent comments.
I understand Columbia must ensure that the University is one in which the openness and free expression of ideas flourish with the primary objective to educate. However, it would appear to this outsider, that Professor De Genova has put his opinion above and beyond his primary charge - to educate. I believe the reasonable man could conclude that Professor De Genova is not primarily committed to educating students, but using the University as the means to advance his personal political agenda, with educating students of lessor import.
I would also be concerned that Columbia may indeed have its' reputation harmed by this incident. I believe that by the University not speaking out concerning such inflammatory statements, the commitment of the University, first and foremost to a quality education, can certainly be called into question. His comments certainly bring discredit to your institution.
Regards,
/s/
LOL! (a needed one). He's in the past right now running up to the stage saying "no dumbass, don't say what you're about to say"!
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