Professor Who Joked About 9/11 to Retire

The Guardian ^

[RWG]

and then to the westbank.

[buffyt]

We do have free speach within certain boundaries like you also can't yell FIRE in a crowded theatre when there is no fire. There are some limits to free speach. I think this professor found out what those limits are. Plus he is extremely stupid. The terrorists could have hit the ivory tower he was in. Did he even think of that, or is he too stupid... I hate to say it since my college degree was in education, but it sure is easier to get a degree in education than in say engineering, law, medicine, etc. You can BS your way through college of education. Can't do that in engineering, etc. He may not be the brightest guy in town.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

So much for freedom of speech.

Freedom of speech does not include freedom from crticism once you open your mouth and say something incredibly stupid.

[Publius6961]

I would have been happier had he been (literally) kicked off campus immediately after the remark.

OK... so perhaps the long lesson might be more satisfying in the long run...

Poor baby will now have to work for a living?

[Publius6961]

So much for freedom of speech. (I'm assuming that must be what you are saying farewell to.)

You assume wrong.

Putting words in other peoples mouths is such a puerile technique.

He had freedom of speech... even stupid speech... the rest of us had freedom to see to his removal.
An arrangement that works beautifully.

He can now exercise his "freedom" all he wants; just not at taxpayer expense.

[Publius6961]

There's no need to encourage the fascists among us,

This explains your original inane comment.

Anyone who doesn't even have a clue as to the meaning of "fascism"...

[Travis McGee]

Just another lefty who can dish it out (and has for years) but can't take it.

[harpseal]

Sounds like a good idea to me. There must be no threats but I would be most happy to participate.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[Travis McGee]

The commie loving Stalin supporting prof (I've heard him, have you?) is free to support America's enemies, and we are free to call him a traitor.

What is it about free speech that you don't understand?

It does not mean you must be free from the blowback from angry Americans if you say things like you are glad the Pentagon was attacked, killing 100s of Americans.

Do you think he would have lasted ONE WEEK without being fired (as he was not here) if he had said "anyone who kills a queer like Matthew Shepherd has my vote?"

[Travis McGee]

He is Bernadette Dohrn's hubbie. What a pair!

[VOA]

Provost Brian Foster said Berthold is not being forced out.

Retiring at age 55 in academia?
He's getting (rightfully) tossed overboard!
At most of our universities, he'd get a medal from the faculty for his remarks...
looks like we've found a university with some sense of moral values...

[Verginius Rufus]

Richard Berthold was born 1/22/1946 so he will be 57 when he retires...if he has been teaching there for 30 years his retirement pay may be enough to live on. If not, he might find a welcome at a Canadian, British, or European university.

[stainlessbanner]

was forced to apologize for the remark

That's the worst part - he did not acknowledge his mistake, rather he was made to apologize. hardly sincere.

[bioprof]

As many others have already indicated, freedom of speech is not the issue here. He had the freedom to say what he felt - he was not fired. Others have the freedom to express their own opinion ( their speech ) about HIS opinion. The prof couldn't stand the heat - he obviously knows nothing about having the guts to uphold his own convictions. So he retired - another scared little liberal girly man running away from controversy.

You can bet that he WOULD have been fired if he made a comment about rape along the lines of " Gee honey - just lie back & enjoy it"......wouldn't have lasted 5 more minutes.

I have no problem with discussion of differing points of view, but....I hate intellectual dishonesty.....

[Glenn]

Anyone who doesn't even have a clue as to the meaning of "fascism"...

The double standard some employ around here is pretty amusing. When the shoe is on the other foot and a conservative gets bashed around the campus, you fight for the cause like dogs over a bone.

I'm sure you have a highly complex definition of fascism (intellectual that you must be). Mine is pretty simple and to the point: A reactionary or dictatorial person.

If you look through the posts on this thread, I think you'll see them. If you cannot, then your mind is narrower than it should be to be engaged in any sort of discussion in the first place.

[LexBaird]

``Anyone who can blow up the Pentagon has my vote'' and ``Constant harassment by persons in authority at the university is now driving me into retirement,''

Anyone who can drive people like you out of academia have my vote.

[LexBaird]

I'm sure you have a highly complex definition of fascism (intellectual that you must be). Mine is pretty simple and to the point: A reactionary or dictatorial person.

It's also incorrect.

Words mean things, and when you throw around words like fascist or homophobe or bigot, you'd damn well better know what they really mean, and use them appropriately.

Otherwise you are no better than the run-of-the-mill PC liberal, who uses inflammatory buzz-words to demonize, rather than logical argument to refute.

[Trailerpark Badass]

then your mind is narrower than it should be to be engaged in any sort of discussion in the first place.

You freekin' fascist! How dare you try to restrict "discussion!"

[KillTime]

Ha, wow this made my day. I was in the Pent when it got hit and when I read what the idiot had said, I lost it. Luckily, thanks to a Freeper post here, I got the email addr of both his office and his Deans and sent a few choice words.

Thanks for the great news!

[Glenn]

It's also incorrect.

My "The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition" must be faulty. I'll try to get a refund.