Response from Columbia U Anthropology re: traitor Professdor who wishes death for our soldiers.

email ^ | today | Nicholas Dirks

[Rodney King]

Thank you for your letter.

I would like to make clear in the strongest possible terms that the recent (March 26th, 2003) remarks by Assistant Professor Nicholas DeGenova concerning the war in Iraq were made on his own behalf and should not be taken to reflect the views of the department of Anthropology. As chair and as an individual member of Columbia's faculty I cherish the principles of freedom of speech and academic freedom. Now more than ever, we need to protect these freedoms.

However, I am deeply concerned when the academic obligations of debate and critique are sullied by sentiments that seem profoundly out of line with the values and commitments that are fundamental to academic life.

I am personally appalled by some of Professor DeGenova's remarks, and repudiate any statement wishing violence against soldiers or civilians alike. I deeply regret the offence that has been occasioned by this incident, but must note as well that I am also saddened by the violence of the language that has been directed, in turn, not just at Professor DeGenova alone, but at the department of Anthropology as a whole and our colleagues in the faculty and administration at Columbia University.

Professor Nicholas Dirks, Chair, Department of Anthropology

[Rodney King]

My letter was polite, so this response is obviously canned.

[Rodney King]

woops, title should say professor, not professdor.

[dirtboy]

Actually, I think you could call them pod-fessors...

[Rodney King]

Basically, I wrote that the professor should be fired because he is obviously too biased, emotional, and unstable to possibly to solid academic work.

[f.Christian]

Religion and politics are not a test for public office ...

but character // loyalty is ---

time to try and fire these traitors !

[finnman69]

Why is it these anthroplogy prfessors are always getting into trouble?

[UCFRoadWarrior]

Sounds like he gave you educrat-speak..lemme see if I can translate

"Dear Mr King:

All of us in the Anthopology Deaprtment wholeheartedly agree with Prof. DiGenova. I just dont have the testicular fortitude to go public with that, that is why you are getting this generic, plastic reply

Anyway, we all have tenure, and cant get fired. Hahahaha"

[f.Christian]

Biological religion -- 'science' ... evolution // atheism // communism !

[backhoe]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/880687/posts
Terror Teacher- Columbia's Nicholas De Genova message of "Death to America!"
various FR links | 03-31-03 | The Heavy Equipment Guy

[Rodney King]

Right, of course. Anyway, I sent the letter because in fact DiGenova is not tenured, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

[harpseal]

So the President of the college is saddened by the violence of language directed at the anthropology department after this pice of filth professor calls for the murder and desecration of the bodies of those of our boys in harms way. I would point out that professor digenova is the virus that cuased this. How long would the professor last if he had uttered the racial epithet that starts with "N?" How long would he have lasted if he called for death to those demonstrating for Saddam? He would have been already gone.

[Libertys Kid]

Dear Disgruntled person:

I understand you are upset about the alleged statements made by one of our professors regarding purported violence against US troops.

Maybe you should direct your energy to the real problems of the world, like AIDS, Homelessness, bigotry against gender confused indiviuals and the threat to the spotted owl.

I suggest you find real hate speech, like Fox News reports and Sean Hannity.

Sincerely,
Pointy Headed Liberal

[Rodney King]

lol

[f.Christian]

So what if he had tenure ...

the only immunity to laws is diplomatic ---

academic tenure isn't a license for murder -- hate -- treason !

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

If i had the power,tomorrow morning he would be waking up in a prison camp.

[sauropod]

Hey, hey, HEY!

Enough of that ;-).

[sauropod]

O'Reilly made this exact same point on his radio show today. Someone from the Left said the two were not morally equivalent.

This speaks volumes about the Left, IMO.

[Hobsonphile]

Leftism on Campus ping!

If you would like to be added to the Leftism on Campus ping list, please
notify me via FReep-mail.

Regards...

[Texas_Jarhead]

The admin keeps saying that his comments don't reflect the U or the Dept but he, as an employee, is a representative of the institution. If they choose to continue his employment then they are sanctioning his position defacto. I mean he said it in the school, at a so-called “TEACH”-in. And his non-apology was just as offensive. Where am I going wrong here?

[livius]

A simple "We're sorry" would have done it. But instead the department takes that moment for a self righteous whine about the tone of some of the letters they have received.

Some folks have commented that de Genova has no possibility of getting tenure after this, but, personally, I think Columbia University is such that his tenure possibilities actually increased after his appalling statements.