Posted on 09/19/2001 3:39:40 AM PDT by rw4site
Jensen made his remarks entirely in his capacity as a free citizen of the United States, writing and speaking under the protection of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
No aspect of his remarks is supported, condoned or officially recognized by The University of Texas at Austin. He does not speak in the University's name and may not speak in its name.
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.
Students must learn that there is a good deal of foolish opinion in the popular media and they must become skilled at recognizing and discounting it.
I, too, was disgusted by Jensen's article, but I also must defend his freedom to state his opinion. The First Amendment is the bedrock of American liberty.
Larry R. Faulkner, president The University of Texas
at Austin
"I have received your message about recent remarks made by Robert Jensen. Those remarks were made entirely in his capacity as a free citizen of the United States writing and speaking under protection of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. No aspect of them is supported, condoned, or officially recognized by The University of Texas at Austin. There is no tie whatever to the University or its programs. He is not speaking in the University's name and may not speak in its name.
Using the same liberty, I convey my personal judgment that Mr. Jensen is not only misguided, but has become a fountain of undiluted foolishness on issues of public policy. He often speaks on such matters in the public media. Perhaps there is some comfort for you in the fact that practically no one here takes his outbursts seriously.
You express concern for our students. One of the things they must learn is that there is a good deal of foolish opinion in the popular media, and they must develop skill at recognizing it and discounting it.
Their reaction to Mr. Jensen's private columns seems generally healthy to me.
I, too, am disgusted by Jensen's most recent items. But I also must defend the freedom granted to all citizens under the First Amendment. It is the bedrock of American liberty."
Larry R. Faulkner, President
University of Texas at Austin
400 Main Building
P.O. Box T
Austin, Texas 78713
...and here is my reply to Patty L. Culler who sent this on behalf of Francie Frederick at the Board of Regents:
Thank you for the reply sent by Dr. Faulkner. I'm glad that you do not share Robert W. Jensen's beliefs regarding the terrorist attack of September 11th and America's need to respond to it. Dr. Faulkner calls his comments "misguided" and "foolish", which I concur. I would also add "treasonous".
While it is true that Mr. Jensen's comments are protected by the First Amendment, the Constitution does not guarantee his continued employment at our university.
Whether you care to accept it or not, Mr. Jensen does represent the Univeristy of Texas at Austin because his occupation is listed after each article I have seen bearing his comments. It represents to students, alumni and parents of future students what type of viewpoints are tolerated and perhaps encouraged at the university. This is not one radical student. It is a person in position of authority, given charge to instruct others - a charge granted him by the University of Texas. His comments therefore, do reflect on the university every bit as much as if they had been written by (head football coach) Mack Brown or yourself.
If Mr. Jensen were making statements of a racist nature, you would not tolerate. If Mr. Jensen were blaming America for, say, the Nazi holocaust, you would not tolerate it. When Mr. Jensen essentially blames America for the deaths of 6,000 people in New York, it should not be tolerated either.
Once again, I am calling for Robert W. Jensen's immediate dismissal. He is welcome to then use his First Amendment rights on any street corner of America where it cannot be cloaked under the reputation of a respectable university.
Please forward these comments to the Board of Regents and to Dr. Faulkner. Thank you for your time.
Respectfully,
(Tall_Texan)
Class of 1979
One other question I should have asked in my response was whether the university is in the habit of employing professors who spout "undiluted foolishness" that isn't condoned?
bor@utsystem.edu
Thank You, Tall_Texan, Thank You.
Please know that you represented the thoughts of All Texas FReepers. Your rebuttal got to the core issue. He needs to be GONE!!
We're very PROUD of you. We're also fortunate to have you, a conservative journalist in our midst :-)
Cambodia is a whole 'nother story. If we had been allowed to stay there and work from there a few MILLION people might still be alive.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.