Posted on 05/04/2007 2:53:13 PM PDT by Congressman Billybob
I’m writing to you because you are part of the Gang of 88, the Professors at Duke University who took out a full-page ad in the Duke newspaper to condemn the three students who were charged with various sexual crimes. You asserted they were guilty, and condemned them in many ways, before any open evidence had been presented, or any trial held.
Now, as you well know, all charges have been dismissed. The North Carolina Attorney General has dismissed all charges and has stated that there is no credible evidence that any crime was committed. Furthermore, States Attorney Nifong who brought the charges, is now under investigation.
One of the Gang of 88 has recognized that the ad he signed was improper, and has apologized. You have not apologized. You have dug the hole deeper by your own errors. Hence, this letter is addressed only to you, though the other 86 faculty who have not apologized are cordially invited to read this over your shoulder.
A friend of mine, who is a veteran, and a black man, sent two e-mails to all 88 of the Professors. He received a response only from you. I’ll quote his e-mails, and your response. But first, I’ll tell readers the titles you have at Duke.
You are the Co-Director, Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity and Gender in the Social Sciences at Duke. You are also a Professor of Political Science, Public Policy and African and African American Studies at Duke University. Your most recent book, "Can We All Get Along?" like the rest of your career, is focused on racial matters.
My friend wrote to you about the “historical reality such as the marginalization of innocent blacks within a once overtly racist criminal justice system or the past subjugation of women or any number of other offenses and attempts to apply that to a contemporary situation wherein the objective facts don’t apply.” He noted perversion of the facts in the Tawana Brawley case, and in the Duke case.
My friend reached the same conclusion that the Attorney General did later, that an “an unscrupulous DA ... [chose] to exploit racial identity politics.” How did you respond to this rational and correct description of the situation? Your reply said, “Your continued messages have now moved into the realm of harassment and I have reported you to your service provider for using abusive and inappropriate language in your email which was sent through their servers.”
Not only was your reply irrational and emotional, it also contained a threat against the correspondent. No one who is, as you signed yourself, a Professor of Political Science at Duke University, should think or write in this manner.
For additional proof that your only concern is who is the black person in any situation, and therefore is on the correct side of the matter, look at a newest instance of rape charges at Duke. This time the woman who says she was attacked, is white. The people charged are black. Not one word has been said about this by you, or any other member of the Gang of 88.
Your correspondent said that he thought “universities are about the exchange of ideas.” He decried “political correctness” at Duke, or at any other university, as both wrong and an attack on the whole reason that universities exist in our society. As a former Professor of Political Science, I thoroughly agree.
The first night of class, when I taught American Political Theory, I told my students, “Do not trust pre-chewed conclusions, from anyone including me. Research the facts, read the documents, reach your own conclusions.” Why is it I get the distinct impression that you would never dare say that to your own students?
If you do not apologize to the unjustly charged Duke students, you indicate that your politics and teaching are driven by blackness, by being an Afro-American, and nothing else. It is the opposite of being a Professor, and you should not remain one long.
There’s no need to reply to this letter. It will be sufficient reply when I hear that you’ve had the integrity to resign from Duke, or the university has had the gumption to fire you.
Cordially,
John Armor, Esq.
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About the Author: John Armor practiced in the US Supreme Court for 33 years. John_Armor@aya.yale.edu He lives in the 11th District of North Carolina.
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John / Billybob
Great letter. Her response to your friend’s email is very telling: instead of supporting her insupportable position she threatened him in order to silence him.
This exchange should be sent to Fox; I could easily see O’Reilly covering it.
John, I’m a big fan of yours, and want to compliment you for this post. Fortunately, a substantial number of blacks, such as the friend mentioned here, have stopped being African American, and have become American. More power to them. If time in Africa is any measure of infallibility, this white, seven decade old man, who lived in Africa for almost two years in his youth, surely has more virtue than any pseudo agitator under cover of University tenure.
Where’s the email?
Thought that needed highlighting.....great letter. PC is killing America.
bttt
Excellent letter! Thanks for contacting Dr. McClain and for posting it here.
You are absolutely correct in saying she should resign or be fired.
When can I expect to hear the news that you have decided to relocate to my district and become MY Congresscritter?
So, you are correct to point out that the accuracy of this depends on my reputation for accuracy. I hope that’s enough.
John / Billybob
Bump!!
I wrote Ms. McClain, and got a one-line reply:
“Don’t write me again.”
I wrote her back a one-liner:
“Why not? No need to be rude.”
John / Billybob
John / Billybob
Stalinists have made their entire history one of silencing the truth. This latest should be no surprise.
Okay, thanks John. I read a thread the other day concerning this and realize you didn’t send the original letter. I was thanking you for sending this one.
Great letter - this woman works for a major university and is completely untouchable. So don’t expect anything to come of this. :(
Your assessments are correct and astute. She won’t admit it, but you’ve nailed her primary career and life function.
Oh, and she’s a coward to boot.
Your great American Congressman
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