Hateful Letters to a Soldier - From a Leftist Professor

Front Page Magazine / Frontpage.com ^ | November 8, 2002 | peter kerstein

[doulau]

Last week I got a message containing an email exchange between an Air Force Academy cadet and a professor who responded very rudely to a polite request for information. I didn't run it because I couldn't verify it and the professor's response seemed so stereotypically rude and anti-military that I wasn't entirely sure it was real.

The Air Force Academy has a program called The Academy Assembly. An Air Force Academy cadet named Robert Kurpiel sent an e-mail to which ended up in the hands of Peter Kirstein, Professor of History at Saint Xavier University.

Here is the text of that e-mail:

Dear Sir or Ma'am

The Air Force Academy is going to be having our annual Academy Assembly. This is a forum for mainly but not only Political Science majors, discussing very important issues dealing with politics. Right now we are in the planning stage for advertising and we would appreciate your help in the follow (sic) areas. Do you know of or have methods or ways for interschool advertising and or communications? What would be the best way for us to advertise at your school whether it is sending you the fliers and you making copies or by perhaps putting an advertisement in your local publication? We would appreciate your input and the cost of what your recommend. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Very Respectfully,

Cadet Robert Kurpiel

Here is the response from Professor Kirstein:

From: Peter Kirstein Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 1:46 PM To: Kurpiel Robert C4C CS26 Subject: Re: Academy Assembly

You are a disgrace to this country and I am furious you would even think I would support you and your aggressive baby killing tactics of collateral damage. Help you recruit. Who, top guns to reign death and destruction upon nonwhite peoples throughout the world? Are you serious sir? Resign your commission and serve your country with honour.

No war, no air force cowards who bomb countries with AAA, without possibility of retaliation. You are worse than the snipers. You are imperialists who are turning the whole damn world against us. September 11 can be blamed in part for what you and your cohorts have done to Palestinians, the VC, the Serbs, a retreating army at Basra.

You are unworthy of my support.

Peter N. Kirstein Professor of History Saint Xavier University

The Air Force Academy stepped in and tried to calm the situation. Here is a letter from the Director of the Academy Assembly.

Subject: An Open Letter from the Academy Assembly

Ladies and Gentlemen,

There has been considerable attention given to an e-mail received by a Fourth Class Cadet here at the United States Air Force Academy from Professor Peter N. Kirstein of Saint Xavier University. Dr Kirstein's e-mail was a response to an e-mail he had received concerning the Academy Assembly.

The Academy Assembly is a forum to promote academic discussion of important issues of our day and to allow the student delegates from all over the North America to draft a report that is widely disseminated. This year our theme is America's Challenges in an Unstable World: Balancing Security with Liberty. I am pleased to say that a "cyber-episode" which started poorly has evolved into a more professional and academic discussion.

Please find below a letter of apology from Dr Kirstein which I received this morning, accompanied by a phone call. I have drafted this message in response to his correspondence and with an advance copy to Dr. Kirstein.

On behalf of the Academy Assembly I accept this apology in the same sincere manner in which it was given. Furthermore, I offer my own apology to Dr Kirstein for the way his original message, which was intended as private communication, was spread throughout the Air Force Academy and beyond. Since that e-mail was forwarded with such great vigor to many individuals both within and outside the Air Force Academy I would ask that you, the reader of this letter, please forward this e-mail to anyone to whom you sent the original message.

Two results of this are obvious and I want to share them with you. The first is that through well considered words and messages a situation that was initially highly inflammatory has become one in which diverse ideas can be compared and discussed; this is the essence of the Academy Assembly. Second, though emotions have run understandably high throughout the USAFA Cadet Wing in response to this e-mail, replies to this e-mail from our cadets have been, almost without exception, marked by great maturity and professionalism. I was presented nearly forty proposed responses to the original e-mail from cadets, but the one that best encapsulates the opinion of the cadet wing is a quote from their book, Contrails, which serves as not only a statement for others, but an admonition for themselves.

"It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."

~Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, Sergeant, USMC

I would dare to add one thought to the above quote; that we in the military, as servants of the public, must carefully guard and cherish our relationship with the civilian community. We must always remain open and responsive to legitimate criticism that is presented in a spirit of willingness to improve the forces that guard our country and make them an institution that all Americans can take pride in. I am pleased to say that this discussion, of which many of you only saw the first portion, has moved towards that high plain.

Respectfully yours,

Captain Jim Borders USAFA Director, Academy Assembly Instructor Political Science

And, here is the apology written by the Professor.

Dear Captain Borders,

I have expressed to Cadet Kurpiel my regrets over what I communicated to him in my e-mail. I did not mean to impugn his character. I am sure he is of the highest character. I should have written him in a more thoughtful and contemplative manner. As one who believes in non-violence and the avoidance of conflict, I could have been more circumspect and creative in my communication with him.

Cadet Kurpiel has sent me several generous, thoughtful and impressive e-mails. He has also expressed "apologies" for the unwarranted national distribution of a private e-mail correspondence which has caused me and others to receive 100s of e-mail messages. I hope this update on my response and the cadet's kind communication will serve to inform the public that this issue has been resolved with dignity and honour between myself and Cadet Kurpiel.

I remain respectfully yours,

Peter N. Kirstein Professor of History Saint Xavier University

[georgiabelle]

I just sent this to the dirtbag. I've been in tears nearly all day. How dare that a$$ talk about our brave men and women. He isn't fit to speak their names.
___________________________________________________________

I’m writing this to you because I don’t think that you are sorry for what you said. It always amazes me that your type doesn’t
understand that if it wasn’t for people like this young soldier you would not be able to express your opinions. We would all be under the thumb of Japan, Germany, or the Soviet Union.

Another reason I’m writing this is because my 23 year old son is in the Marine Reserves. He has given up his apartment and stored his belongings and lives now with his brother because he knows it is only a matter of time before he is called to war. His college education will be put on hold for a while. I am very proud of my son because he felt that he should give back to the country that had given so much to him.

So when you stand in front of your students and you are able to talk about whatever you want just remember where and who kept that right for you.


A proud Marine’s Mother,

[uncbuck]

I hope you never believed what some jackasses like this professor would say 'that the US lost the Vietnam War'.

Today in Hanoi, there is a McDonalds serving Coca-cola.

Tha greatest symbol of AMERICAN capitalism.

[vaudine]

My guess--the notoriety of a widely diseminated slanderous email written by the "esteemed" professor. Hopefully he got his backside slapped by his superiors.

This "learned" professor needs to review his history. It hasn't been much over two hundred years that the last Intifada of fanatic Islamists was stopped after they had flooded several countries. They do not hate just us, the US; they hate ALL non Muslims. Islam is NOT a religion of peace. Some of its practicioners may be peaceful because they practice the earlier writings of Mohammad which emulate many of the Judeo-Christian ethics. But the fanatic leaders such as Khomeni mean to stamp out ALL non-believers, per Mohammad's later instructions and maunderings.
Vaudine

[uncbuck]

By the way, THANK YOU VETRAN!

[YoungKentuckyConservative]

I'm going to pay college tuition for three kids for this crap?

If your kids are truly intelligent they don't need college. I dropped out after two years and am making more money and have a more promising future than any of my left-wing friends. Bottom line is: BRAINS SELL, not a worthless diploma that says I learned all about multiculturalism, globalization, homosexuality, and other politically correct bull$hit.

[uncbuck]

"The crack about killing non-white people is ridiculous, as if there were some agenda."

I am a white anglo saxon male, and it always amuses me when I see comments like his.

Doesn't he realise that we aren't allowed to tell anbody about the conspiracy? I'm sure all of you other Wasp males know the secret hand shake. And that our agenda is to rid the world of all non-white peoples. The whole thing is written down and given to us on our 18th birthdays.

[vaudine]

Please note item 4--instructors should feel free to academic revisionism. This guy 's field is History, and he has certainly revised history in his stretch to make the US the bad guys.
He also states his belief in multiculturism, diversity, and the wrongness of US unilateralism--i.e. American sovereignty.
Hope he doesn't have tenure. St. Xavier should take a long review of this pretender who thinks he is a teacher--indoctrinator, more like.

Vaudine

[aSkeptic]

We are blessed to have men like these in the armed forces. Their maturity and manliness (or womanliness) is to be commended at high!

[aSkeptic]

because it was the only option he had left. Saving face can be a bitch huh ;)

[jocon307]

"I'm going to pay college tuition for three kids for this crap?"

Take heart, I don't know how old your kids are, but mine's 17 and she's a real right winger. I think she's to my right, in fact. Thank goodness she hasn't decided to rebel by becoming a left wing idiot. I have always talked to her seriously about things that are important, I think this has helped.

[ProudEagle]

Thanks Buck. I never bought the media or acadamia garbage and never will. Welcome to FR. Glad to see the youth of today carrying the torch.

[null and void]

I'm curious why the professor changed his tune!

Cockroaches don't like the light of day?

[Conservative4Ever]

Semper Fi to all Marines out there today on the Marine Birthday. God Bless all our military men and women who protect our shores and because of their efforts and sacrifice we have a free nation. God Bless you All! A traitor's death to all the academic pond scum who discredit and vilify our military.

Red

[Aquamarine]

A bump for your post!

[ofMagog]

Bump to you.

[aomagrat]

Absolutly disgusting. What a sleen.

[Tango Whiskey Papa]

Sure sounds like Dr. Richard Yanikoski, President, Saint Xavier University, got the message 5x5 on the deplorable e-mail that Peter Kirstein sent back to the USAF Academy. The below listed response to a tremendous onslaught of letters and e-mail from the Military seems to me to be sincere, particularly since Dr. Yanikoski is ex USAF. Lets hope that the idiotic university "tenure" system doesn't protect this bastard from his due expulsion from Saint Xavier.

---

You have reached the Office of the President, Saint Xavier University.

I very much regret having to resort to an automated response, but I must do so for two reasons. First, messages of concern from military men and women around the world now far exceed my ability to respond to them individually. I have sent hundreds of personal replies during the past 5 days but, unfortunately, I no longer have the ability to keep up. Second, I will be away from the university for several days on important university business. I will keep on top of this matter, but will have limited time in front of a computer.

PLEASE KNOW THAT I WILL READ AND GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO EVERY MESSAGE THAT COMES TO ME. I TAKE THE MATTER CONCERNING PROF. KIRSTEIN VERY SERIOUSLY AND I AM CONSCIENTIOUSLY WEIGHING ALL OPTIONS AND ADVICE

Here is a brief summary of what I have heard so far, and my responses.

COMMENTS MADE TO THE UNIVERSITY

- "Prof. Peter Kirstein's initial email to a cadet at the Air Force Academy was tasteless, unprovoked, rude, unprofessional, and indefensible." I agree completely.

- "Prof. Kirstein's apologies seem less than genuine to some who have read his remarks." It always is difficult to look into a man's soul, but I believe Dr. Kirstein's apologies to be genuine. However, apologies are insufficient by themselves. Fortunately, the cadet has graciously accepted Prof. Kirstein's apology, as have others at the Academy, and conversation now is proceeding in a courteous, professional manner.

- "The forthcoming Academic Assembly at the Academy is an event worth supporting. It's a shame that Saint Xavier's response was so negative." Prof. Kirstein did not speak for the University in his first response. Saint Xavier University intends to identify and support one or more students who will attend the Assembly.

- "Prof. Kirstein has spoiled the reputation of the University, particularly if his views or the manner in which he expressed them are reflective of the University's attitude." Prof. Kirstein's views are solely his own and do not reflect the University in substance or tone. Saint Xavier University stands for reasoned discourse and educational practices based on "respect, caring, and justice." Prof. Kirstein's email to the cadet reflected none of these attributes. Crude language is not and will not be tolerated.

- "Prof. Kirstein should be summarily fired." As president, I am exploring all options for ensuring that such behavior never again occurs. While I understand why many request his immediate dismissal, I have to weigh very carefully matters of due process, academic protocol, legal precedent, and the greater good. I assure you that I will do what is right in this matter. I also will follow the University's policy of not discussing personnel matters with third parties.

"Academic freedom is not a legitimate defense for the kind of language used by Prof. Kirstein." I agree. Academic freedom is about the right to search for truth, the right to hold views at odds with the majority, and the right to teach unencumbered by rigid orthodoxies. It does not justify hate speech, vile language, etc. Professors here and elsewhere are expected to be respectful at all times, to engage in genuine, reasoned discourse about controversial matters, and to distinguish personal views from institutional positions when necessary for the sake of clarity. Thus, Prof. Kirstein is free to hold views critical of the military if he wishes to do so, but he is not free to issue demeaning, degrading statements AS A PROFESSOR in or outside of the classroom. In other respects, he enjoys the same freedoms of speech extended to all citizens.

I deeply regret the hurt that has affected so many. As both president and former USAF, I offer my most sincere apologies to all in the military and beyond whose sacrifices and intentions have been denigrated by Prof. Kirstein's words. I ask for your understanding as we attempt to rectify this unexpected situation. Please know that the University is taking this matter very seriously and will do its best to bring the matter to a proper close. You have been heard! My goal is to seek a just solution, a practical response, and a lasting form of resolution that will uphold the integrity of both the university and the military.

To those who are current or former members of the military, I offer my heart-felt gratitude for your service to the nation and I extend my personal best wishes on the occasion of Veterans Day.

Sincerely and respectfully yours,


Dr. Richard Yanikoski, President Saint Xavier University

[desertcry]

Yes folks, mr. kirstein typifies the majority of social "science" professors in our "beloved" taxpayer money gobbling universities. Isn't that COOL?

[Tailgunner Joe]

bttt

[desertcry]

Tall Tex, you are asking too much from social "science" professors. These brain dead "human beings" have lost the capacity for rational thinking, they have become mindless SLOGANEERs.