Mirecki hospitalized after beating (KU Relig. prof. who mocked religion)

Lawrence Journal World ^ | 12/05/05 | Ron Knox

[Will_Zurmacht]

Mirecki hospitalized after beating

By Ron Knox, Eric Weslander (Contact)

Originally published 05:37 p.m., December 5, 2005 Updated 06:31 p.m., December 5, 2005

Douglas County sheriff’s deputies are investigating the reported beating of a Kansas University professor who gained recent notoriety for his Internet tirades against Christian fundamentalists.

Kansas University religious studies professor Paul Mirecki reported he was beaten by two men about 6:40 a.m. today on a roadside in rural Douglas County. In a series of interviews late this afternoon, Mirecki said the men who beat him were making references to the controversy that has propelled him into the headlines in recent weeks. Mirecki

Mirecki

“I didn’t know them, but I’m sure they knew me,” he said.

Mirecki said he was driving to breakfast when he noticed the men tailgating him in a pickup truck.

“I just pulled over hoping they would pass, and then they pulled up real close behind,” he said. “They got out, and I made the mistake of getting out.”

He said the men beat him about the upper body with their fists, and he said he thinks they struck him with a metal object. He was treated and released at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

“I’m mostly shaken up, and I got some bruises and sore spots,” he said.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Officials are classifying the case as an aggravated battery. They wouldn’t say exactly where the incident happened, citing the ongoing investigation

The sheriff’s department is looking for the suspects, described as two white males between ages 30 and 40, one wearing a red visor and wool gloves, and both wearing jeans. They were last seen in a large pickup truck.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 843-TIPS or the sheriff’s office at 841-0007.

Mirecki recently wrote online that he planned to teach intelligent design as mythology in an upcoming course. He wrote it would be a “nice slap” in the “big fat face” of fundamentalists.

The remarks caused an uproar, Mirecki apologized, and KU announced last week the class would be canceled.

[mmadi106999]

Looks like a phony story to me. They beat him up with a metal object but he's out with just a few bruises? Sounds like Susan Smith and the mythical black carjacker. I'd love to see some hospital photos of the injuries. Sounds self-inflicted.

[Tench_Coxe]

"If he is spewing and spreading anti-religious hatred, I say he deserved it. Yes we have free speach. But all that means is you won't get arrested. That doesn't entitle you to not pay a price for your actions. I certainly wouldn't go into Camden NJ or Philly yelling the 'N' word. I'm free to do so, but I'm pretty sure I'd be a little worse for wear than the guy in the article."

One of the posters on this thread is now sitting in a dark room feverishly collecting posts. Oddly enough, this same character went on defending the guy's right to be rude and abusive. Probably more out of unspoken agreement with Mirecki's sentiments.

I responded, much in the same manner as you mentioned in your post--that schmucks like Mirecki make these comments in a 'safe' environment, and they wouldn't dare say the same in a back alley or other less hospitable environments. If the story is true, then it bothers me, since Mirecki comes awfully close to uttering 'fighting words'. I can't say that I necessarily feel sympathy for the guy, but then again, it is regretful that society is coming to this--after all, the last acceptable bigotry seems to be slamming Christians, and it seems some are running out of cheeks to turn.

[Cinnamon]

sounds like a phoney...

[Humidston]

He got "sore spots?"

Ewwww, dontcha hate when that happens?

[grey_whiskers]

Sorry guys, but I simply CANNOT resist a pun this juicy.

Does this put him in the running for a...DARWIN award?

(Ducks for exit, donning asbestos.)

Full Disclosure: Yes I KNOW what the Darwin really is. But I've gotta stretch a point for a pun like this.

Cheers, and G'night!

[I'm ALL Right!]

Who is the woman? She looks like someone I used to know.

[I'm ALL Right!]

ummmmm...yeah. Not even remotely believable.

[grey_whiskers]

A truly Christian response.

I dunno--did the article say he turned the other cheek? ;-)

Cheers!

[PhilDragoo]

[PhilDragoo]

[RunningWolf]

Yes of course. That would be a gross understatement.

Wolf

[AZ_Cowboy]

Let alone folks who make fun of other folks for "quote mining" only to do it themselves.

Some of these folks could use some better control, though. Not that I ever go over the top, of course. Who, me?

[AZ_Cowboy]

It is my understanding that the person in question has to kick the bucket to win the award, though. Injury will only get you an honorable mention.

Do you want to borrow my asbestos chaps? I really need to get better at Photoshop.

[RunningWolf]

LOL!!

I should have known. Thats why we are loosing the WOT, Bush and Cheney are out tooling araound to roll some atheists /sarc>

Wolf

[SuziQ]

I know I shouldn't sound cynical, but I'm so used to these sorts of things being..not quite what they appear.

Yeah, doesn't pass the smell test. The timing is way too convenient.

[jaguaretype]

Yup.

15 minutes thang. This prof learned the joys of fame from AH's like cindy sh@@head.

[jaguaretype]

Hopefully this turd is outed as a fraud and his "paid for beat down" leaves some indelible marks anyway. LOL!!

[zeaal]

The Kansas Police need to be checking the whereabouts of Fred Phelps.

[RunningWolf]

Good point.

These schmuck's do not seem to understand that they would be the first to be crushed if they got their withes ie; we went away.

Tyranny always crushes academia first, after it corrupts and prostitutes it.

Wolf

[MissouriConservative]

I'm not buying this for a minute....the left fakes way too many things for me to accept this as genuine.

A pickup, white males, etc.....far too convenient. Reminds me of that black female professor who trashed her own car and claimed some racist whites did it to her. CBS faked quite a few things, now this?

Do they think we are totally ignorant like their followers?

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Rev. Al Sharpton/Tawana Brawley cast call.

Someone should check to see whether he was seen at any
local bondage or S&M clubs before jumping to conclusions. [sarcasm]

[paul51]

“I just pulled over hoping they would pass

Stupid move #1

and I made the mistake of getting out

Stupid move #2

[RunningWolf]

WOW!! Point made

Wolf

[RunningWolf]

DITTO if it turns out true.

Wolf

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

"I don't know that I wish him well. If he is spewing and spreading anti-religious hatred, I say he deserved it."

Yes, brother! Preach it! That heathen professor deserved to be beaten in Jesus' name! Hope these two saints visit him tomorrow and cap the heathen's a$$ to show him how merciful and loving God is.

[Lancey Howard]

I think this professor Mirecki is another one of THESE clowns:

Professor Kerri Dunn vandalized her own car and then led student protests against "hate". It didn't take long for the police to uncover that the vandalism was Dunn's own handiwork.

What I'm saying is, I think this professor Mirecki beat himself up.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[PetroniusMaximus]

"Who is the woman?"


She is Elaine Pagels

[Wildcat in a Jayhalk town]

He lives in town and the closest rural road from his house to IHOP is 31st street and that is a a four lane pot holed mess that is the "bypass" for 10 highway.

[taxesareforever]

Wonder if a publican stopped to help him.

[Dallas59]

1500 Quatloos this is about as truthfull as that university chick with the spray painted car with flat tires.

[I'm ALL Right!]

Thanks. Not who I thought it was.

[GloriaJane]

The two perps he speaks of? Probably a sock and a bar of soap. Just flip it back at himself and he could beat himself up pretty good that way.

[JennysCool]

Hmm...A new definition for "soapbox"!

[RunningWolf]

Why was your compilation of other FR links deleted??

[GloriaJane]

"Hmm...A new definition for "soapbox"!"

Probably...

[Dick Vomer]

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Does this put him in the running for a...DARWIN award?

LOL!

I'd bet he was beat up by his girlfriend. If two men beat him with a "metal object", he wouldn't be talking to anybody right now.

[Yehuda]

zing zing zing

[Walkenfree]

LOL (post #20) Thank you.

[RunningWolf]

That is a good stretch!! juicy and appropro!!

Flame suit donned /anti bann wish on>

Wolf

[Duaine]

Hmmmm....has anyone seen Ted Nugent lately????

[rock58seg]

John Elway will join them, in case they need a slow white Bronco.

[LK44-40]

Count me among those who are not particularly eager to discredit the reality of this beating. If it happened, my day is not ruined.

The constitution does not and can not guarantee us protection from people inflamed to hostility by our ugly and taunting utterances.

Most police agencies have to triage their cases and don't do any major sleuthing on minor assaults. I would hope that this incident falls into that category. This butthole was lucky that it was a lite ruffing up.

[jennyp]

I wouldn't be surprised either way. (But I won't take the bet. ;-)

[Shery]

WANNA BET THIS WAS ANOTHER STAGED EVENT? TOO COINCIDENTAL. NO REAL CHRISTIANS WOULD DO THAT, SO WHAT'S THE DEAL EXCEPT THAT THIS GUY IS TRYING TO GET SOME TRACTION FOR HIS CLAIM THAT WE ARE BAD PEOPLE.

[Dimensio]

NO REAL CHRISTIANS WOULD DO THAT, SO WHAT'S THE DEAL EXCEPT THAT THIS GUY IS TRYING TO GET SOME TRACTION FOR HIS CLAIM THAT WE ARE BAD PEOPLE.

Indeed. It's not like creationists would ever behave in an immoral or dishonest fashion.

[sockmonkey]

Hmmmm....has anyone seen Ted Nugent lately????

Actually, I saw him this weekend on Fine Living Channel, hunting cardboard deer with his compound bow. Apparently real deer would have offended the viewers.