Is academic freedom of speech dead?
Ward Churchill is a CU professor and activist who's 3 year old essay pointed the finger of blame at American government for the 9/11 attacks on the country drew some pointed attacks itself from Republican Governor Bill Owens of Colorado. Bringing any of this to any recent public scrutiny are recent remarks from OReilly.

It's terrible when a conservative talk show host can wield so much power. CU even cancelled an upcoming speech by Ward with all the public outpour. He even stepped down from his chair of the school's ethnic-studies department. I hope that tenured facility positions cannot be affected by politicans or political commentators; it will be a cold day if he gets fired from his position for anyone who holds a tenure. I think academic freedom of speech is truly dead.

Listen to Churchill's audio interview on 630am in Colorado; avoid the seething tone of the host and the emotional tone of the callers even Republican Senator Tom Weins (ad hominem attacks? hmm I think so). Make sure to check tomweins.com yee haw HA. I find it obligitory to mention I am from Colorado and in my rights as a Coloradian to point out that Weins is a douche.

Here is a great quote from his semi-recent interview:
"What do you think those oppositional circles need to do to really effect change?
Stop being preoccupied with the sanctity of their own personal security, on the one hand, and start figuring out what would be necessary. That might require experimentation with tactics and techniques. Not how, like an alchemist, you repeat the performance often enough to make yourself feel good in the face of an undisturbed continuation of the horror you're opposing. If your candlelit vigil doesn't bring the process you're opposing to a halt, what do you do next, presuming you actually desired to have an effect." -Ward Churchill
Also, incidentally, Ward Churchill worked as a graphic designer for SOF magazine many years ago.


posted by mleavitt on 2/03/2005
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