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A Million Mogadishus
The Conning Tower ^ | April 3, 2003 | Trentino

Posted on 04/03/2003 7:22:47 AM PST by Davis

Assistant Professor Nicholas De Genova, a glittering diamond in the intellectual crown that is Columbia University in the City Of New York is too scared to show up to teach his classes. He's received threats of violence, reports the New York Sun, and so have other professors who participated in the Saddam pep rally held last Wednesday in Low Memorial Library on the Columbia campus.

I'm glad De Genova is scared. He probably didn't realize that declaring war on America isn't without risk. From all the evidence, besides being vicious, De Genova is enormously stupid. It's a wonder that he is sentient enough to recognize the peril he has placed himself in. It's unlikely that he has yet figured out that he will never be able to cross a street in New York City--or anywhere else--without wondering whether a SUV or equivalent is bearing down on him to crush his bones. He will never venture out at night with the confident expectation that he is going to return to his residence without a fractured skull, a face smashed beyond surgical repair. I doubt that he realizes that he will never be able to use a credit card, not one bearing his name.

Soon, it may dawn on De Genova that although he was only exercising his First Amendment rights by declaring his wish for America's military defeat in Iraq and his hope that we suffer "a million Mogadishus," there are those among us who think he has thereby forfeited any right to protection from the palpable wrath of those citizens whose violent death he champions. De Genova and many of the professorate who performed at that grotesque carnival masquerading as a "teach-in" were clear that they regard this country as a criminal conspiracy. And we, the rest of us, are criminals.

It is not peace they seek, but our punishment as criminals.

They claim the entitlements of a decent society, but they refuse to be bound by any of the restraints that a decent society requires. They claim the rights of free speech granted by a compact they have no regard for. It means nothing to them that the Congress and the President authorized this war; during six hours of their convocation this was never mentioned. They pay no mind to the elections held last November.

Nor does it seem to have reached the eminent academics on the podium that their public behavior encourages the continuation of this war, and more than likely will add to its bloodiness. I confess I'm not overly concerned with Iraqi casualties. I am an American. I'm primarily concerned with American casualties. I am concerned about the safety of our soldiers and the feelings of their families. Those who have no such concern for their countrymen ought to take off for places more congenial to them; Havana and Pyongyang come to mind.

When De Genova called not for the establishment of peace but for the defeat of America, for a million Mogadishus, not a voice was heard in dissent. The crowd--the mob--applauded his remarks. It is proof of their baseness. Shame, shame on all of them. May they never have another day of peace.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: columbiauniversity; degenova; millionmogadishus; mogadishu; newyorksun

1 posted on 04/03/2003 7:22:47 AM PST by Davis
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To: Davis
A Million Postings.
2 posted on 04/03/2003 7:29:30 AM PST by LurkedLongEnough (Five day forecast for Baghdad: 2 days)
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To: Davis
Most interesting. I do hope all this continues. I particularly like the line about the risks of declaring war on America.
3 posted on 04/03/2003 7:31:26 AM PST by aBootes
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To: Davis
I posted my response to good ol' Nick in an earlier post. It's also in my blog at http://texasrainmaker.blogspot.com
4 posted on 04/03/2003 7:32:23 AM PST by TexasRainmaker (God only created a few politically perfect people. The rest He called democrats.)
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To: Davis
Although we are protect under the constitution as to freedom of speach, I see nothing at all under the constitution for protection from retaliations from the citizens for treasonists types of such speach as this.
5 posted on 04/03/2003 7:32:34 AM PST by crz
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To: LurkedLongEnough
A Million Postings

True, but some folks deserve the extra attention to ensure as many people as possible know them by sight and reputation - wouldn't want the scum to feel safe too soon...

6 posted on 04/03/2003 7:33:07 AM PST by trebb
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To: trebb
Ditto. Too damn bad DDT has been banned. They really need a spray-down at Columbia.
7 posted on 04/03/2003 7:37:21 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: LurkedLongEnough
Maybe you should take the time to read this...it's never been previously posted.
8 posted on 04/03/2003 7:37:30 AM PST by Davis
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To: Davis
This is an open letter I posted to the student news paper at Columbia. I think we should all express our views and call for the professor's firing.

You can find links by going to www.columbia.edu

Dear Columbia:

I am a firm proponent of the Constitution and all of the attached amendments. I truly believe that freedom to criticize our leaders and to maintain a free press is fundamental to remaining a free society.

With that said, I also believe that free speech is a double edge sword. The First Amendment does not offer any mandate or protection that required everyone to agree with whatever dissent or praise is offered in the speech and leave society to judge the value of the statements uttered. The person making his or her statement needs to be prepared to accept the consequences of their actions. In the case of Assistant Professor De Genova’s horrid statements concerning the brave men and women of this country, he now needs to stand ready for the free speech of others as they react.

There once was a time in University history where professors sought to teach critical thinking skills and open minds to thought provoking ideas. Professor De Genova’s teaching skills are tantamount to smearing fecal mater on an object and calling it art.

I can only hope and pray that Columbia will defend its honor as a great learning institution and remove Mr. De Genova with a statement of support for free speech and dissenting ideas while maintaining a since of decorum and value in what is said.

Shock and distaste are best left to reality TV shows.

9 posted on 04/03/2003 7:38:02 AM PST by Allan1
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To: Allan1
Where does he live? It's a long way to go, but it's apparent that New Yorkers can't handle the problem. This one crossed the line of free speech.

10 posted on 04/03/2003 7:46:57 AM PST by Nucluside (82d Airborne Division, America's Guard of Honor)
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To: Davis
"a million Mogadishus"

Maybe he'd settle for a dozen Kent States.
11 posted on 04/03/2003 7:52:50 AM PST by Mentos
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To: Allan1; Davis
De Genova is not the only one at Columbia who deserves to be horsewhipped. The whole bunch who organized that rally for Saddam should be lined up and flayed, particularly that slimeball Marxist fake historian, Eric Foner. Alan Brinkley should be kicked in the groin till his eyeballs spout urine.

And then we should do some really nasty stuff.
12 posted on 04/03/2003 7:57:46 AM PST by hrhdave
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To: Eric in the Ozarks
You can still spray it down with baseball bats.
13 posted on 04/03/2003 8:02:33 AM PST by husky ed (FOX NEWS ALERT "Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead" THIS HAS BEEN A FOX NEWS ALERT)
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To: LurkedLongEnough
Five minutes alone with this guy and a pair of fire-hardened 18" bamboo sticks. That's all I ask.
14 posted on 04/03/2003 8:36:18 AM PST by Noumenon (You can evade reality, but you cannot evade the consequences of evading reality - Ayn Rand)
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To: Noumenon
Maybe we should put him in a room with Jessica Lynch...that tuff little lady could take care of him in no time. God bless her.
15 posted on 04/03/2003 9:02:48 AM PST by Davis
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To: Davis
Yeah - I'd love to see pussy-boy De Genova get a smackdown from young Jessica. Boy oh boy - do the feminazis ever havea problem with Jessica. Watch for the slanders and the smears from the Left. Watch the Left further implode on this one...
16 posted on 04/03/2003 10:54:53 AM PST by Noumenon (You can evade reality, but you cannot evade the consequences of evading reality - Ayn Rand)
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