"Little Eichmanns"

[Zhadman]

Colo. Professor Issues Defiant Speech

By ERIN GARTNER, Associated Press Writer

 

BOULDER, Colo. - An embattled University of Colorado professor who likened Sept. 11 victims to Nazis got a standing ovation when he told a campus audience of more than 1,000 people that "I'm not backing up an inch."

 

Ward Churchill, who had filed a lawsuit after the state-funded university threatened to cancel his address, was interrupted several times by thunderous applause.

 

Churchill has resigned as chairman of the university's ethnic studies department. Gov. Bill Owens has called for Churchill to be fired, and the university's Board of Regents is investigating whether the tenured professor can be removed.

 

"I don't answer to Bill Owens. I do not answer to the Board of Regents in the way they think I do. The regents should do their job and let me do mine," Churchill said to thunderous clapping. "I'm not backing up an inch. I owe no one an apology."

 

In an essay, Churchill wrote that workers in the World Trade Center were the equivalent of "little Eichmanns," a reference to Adolf Eichmann, who ensured the smooth running of the Nazi system. Churchill also spoke of the "gallant sacrifices" of the "combat teams" that struck America.

 

The ethnic studies professor said Tuesday his essay was referring to "technocrats" who participate in what he calls repressive American policies around the world.

 

A longtime American Indian Movement activist, he said he is also culpable because his efforts to change the system haven't succeeded. "I could do more. I'm complicit. I'm not innocent," he said.

 

The Boulder Faculty Assembly, which represents professors at the Boulder campus, has said Churchill's comments were "controversial, offensive and odious" but supports his right to say them based on the principle of academic freedom.

 

During his 35-minute speech, Churchill said the essay was not referring to children, firefighters, janitors or people passing by the World Trade Center who were killed during the attacks.

 

The essay and follow-up book attracted little attention until Churchill was invited to speak last month at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., which later canceled his talk out of security concerns.

 

University of Colorado officials cited those same concerns but backed off after Churchill filed a lawsuit earlier Tuesday asking a judge to force the school to let him speak.

 

The crowd Tuesday night was loud and orderly as Churchill spoke: "I do not work for the taxpayers of the state of Colorado. I do not work for Bill Owens. I work for you," he said.

 

About two dozen police officers were scattered inside and around the ballroom where the speech was given. Most of those attending supported Churchill.

 

"I've read some of Ward's work," said 26-year-old Vinita Laroia, an environmental studies major. "I think what he has to say is true and interesting. I wanted to hear his actual voice say what he's thinking."

 

The ACLU issued a statement defending Churchill's right to speak out and called on regents, legislators and the governor "to stop threatening Mr. Churchill's job because of the content of his opinions."

 

David Horowitz, a champion of conservative causes who has long accused American universities of overstocking their faculties with leftists, has said firing Churchill would violate his First Amendment rights and set a bad precedent.

 

He called instead for an inquiry into the university's hiring and promotion procedures to see how Churchill managed to rise to the chairmanship of the school's ethnic studies department.

 

People are funny.

[wheelman]

Much as I don't like what this guy has to say I do defend his right to say it. I would like to add though that I don't feel obligated to pay his salary. He must remember that he works for a government funded institution and therefore accepts money from each and every tax payer in Colorado and because of that fact has an obligation to take their views into account when he makes statements while acting in his capacity as a professor.

 

The ACLU also needs to explain to me how the firing of this guy would be infringing on his right to free speech in any way. He would still have the ability to say all the things he's been saying, he would just loose his funding from the government that makes it easy for him.

 

I think they should fire him.

 

Wheelman

[Zhadman]

To me the decision should be contingent upon the essay. What function did the essay serve? Was the essay written to define his official, government funded, position? Was it written to stimulate thought in his students... to provide a forum for an intelligent discussion. In what context (in it's entirety) was the statement used?

 

I'm not inclined to agree with his statement (atleast by judging the snippit the media provided) but I would be hesitant to call for his termination. The general public (for the most part) only sees what the media presents... and the media is not exactly known for, or praised for, it's fair and accurate reporting.

 

The ACLU is just whack.

[Forrest]

Man, what a parasite. I wonder what he's going to do that won't compromise his socialist "principles" in order to eat after he can't leech off the state any more?

[johnc]

The ACLU also needs to explain to me how the firing of this guy would be infringing on his right to free speech in any way.

 

His firing would be a result of his excersiing his right of free speech. But the big issue is not free speech directly, but the concept of Acedemic Freedom which is extrapolated from free speech.

 

The guy's a slime ball and portrays himself as a Native American (many Native American groups question this claim) but he does deserve to be protected. The university can demote him (they've already taken away his chairmanship) and is his Native American status proves to be un-true then he can be fired for fraud.

[JMortensen]

Here's the essay, decide for yourself: http://www.kersplebedeb.com/mystuff/s11/churchill.html

 

The guy is obviously intelligent. He's just wrong. I agree with Horowitz though. The academia is becoming increasingly virulent in its liberalism, and totally contrary to liberalism is trying to stifle anyone who is not a rabid socialist or marxist on campus. The problem we should be looking at is who is teaching our kids. Firing this guy for what he said isn't the answer in and of itself. If he's a crappy professor then fire him. The answer is questioning why he was hired and promoted to dept chair in the first place. I think it's because of his hyper left Native American "Red Power" history. Read the titles of the books he's written...

 

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/103-3467519-9908668'>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/103-3467519-9908668

 

EDIT--that doesn't work, but if you care go to http://www.amazon.com and look up ward churchill.

[zguitar71]

The academic population has long been the target of extermination in countries taken over by a police regime, like Kampuchea in the early `70's. The reasoning for extermination lies in the power of amademic individuals to insite unrest in the populous. The "little Eichmanns" speach is a perfect example, he has developed a sharp division amoung many people. Of course in America the government cannot exterminate people (as far as we know); however, America does exterminate people politically (McCarthy trials in the 50's) thus ruining there carrers and altering there lives forever. The fabulous thing about America is the freedom of speach given us all. We can think what we want and advertise it through vocalization. If he is fired, especially on the Governers' say, then America takes a step toward the type of government it combats as I type this. If the guy offends enough people he will sink his own ship,and the U.S. government should stay out of the fray and protect its own constitution.

 

I understand where he is comming from in his speach but his form of delivery is appauling. The 911 victims are not comparible to Natzies in ther every day world of buisness. Though he can write with intelligence, he is mighty stupid to say the things he said. He has some underlying issues only the best team of shrinks could deal with.

[Sparks280zt]

This guy does have a point. If you would read some of his work you might could uderstand it better. I dont know if he should have used the word "Nazis" though. Basically he is saying the entire world economy revolves around American and people (Arabs in general) are tired of it. Are we ignorant enough to think the US was attacked because Arabs "hate our culture"??? Please there are far deeper reasons than that.

[zguitar71]

There are many reasons for their hatred of our "western" culture, enough to write a book. Western culture is not reserved for America. Terrorism started in the 30's against France when they occupied parts of Northern Africa. Arab cultures have fought the invasion of Western cultures into their land for hundreds of years. 911 was one of many thousands of attacks on western culture. Yes we have fueld the fire and done many things and broken many promises all of which reenforce their perception of us. So in essence we were attacked because of our culture. We are into the politics and religion of the Arab Countries because of oil, mainly Saudi Arabia. Interestingly though, their religious leaders invited us to their country at the request of the Saidi King. We were invited because they did not have the money or technology to mine the oil from their ground. The money from their oil has made them one of the richest countries on earth from one of the poorest in less than 100 years. They have cars and shopping malls and educated women. In order to sell oil to the world they had to take on certain aspects of western culture. Now Saudi Araba is the receipient of terrorism attacks from some of their own people because they have become too "western," Saudi Arabia lives in a self induced "Catch 22."

[Michael]

This guy is a tenured professor. Tenure basically means that he can't be fired for any reason, short of being convicted of some crime. The question to ask ourselves is, "what was the faculty committee thinking when they granted this guy tenure?" Now it's too late. The concept of academic freedom would become a joke if professors get fired over expression of their views, even if those views are insulting and distasteful.

[Pop N Wood]

They had this guy on cable. He was chairing a town hall meeting of a type. What an arrogant loser. Turtle neck and long hair. He is obviously relishing all the attention this has generated.

 

And yes, a tenured professor can be fired. All the University has to do is eliminate the entire "ethnic studies" department that he is the chair of. Doesn't sound like much of a loss.

[Heavy Z]

And yes, a tenured professor can be fired. All the University has to do is eliminate the entire "ethnic studies" department that he is the chair of. Doesn't sound like much of a loss.

 

LOL, "ethnic studies" cleansing.

[Guest tony78_280z]

"ethnic studies" cleansing

Nobody likes a pun =)