Wis. lawmakers demand professor be fired (for 9/11 Conspiracy Theories)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/newsroom/chi-060720letter-professor,1,3340438.story?coll=chi-news-hed

Sixty-one state lawmakers sent a letter Thursday calling on University of Wisconsin-Madison to fire an instructor who believes the U.S. government orchestrated the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The letter signed by 52 Assembly representatives and nine state senators, including Republican leaders, condemns a decision earlier this month by UW-Madison Provost Pat Farrell allowing Kevin Barrett to teach an introductory class this fall on Islam.

Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, said the letter, which called Barrett's views ``academically dishonest,'' sent a strong message to top UW leaders.

``When 61 legislators condemn a decision by UW-Madison and demand the dismissal of Kevin Barrett, the leadership of the UW System operates at its own peril if it continues to ignore views of the taxpayers,'' he said in a statement.

<snip>

Barrett is active in a group of scholars who believe the twin towers were blown up by U.S. government operatives to spark war in the Middle East. His remarks drew intense criticism from politicians who questioned whether he was fit to teach.

[Iris]

1. This is just scary.

"`When 61 legislators condemn a decision by UW-Madison and demand the dismissal of Kevin Barrett, the leadership of the UW System operates at its own peril if it continues to ignore views of the taxpayers,'' he said in a statement."

So, now the view of taxpayers are what we teach in colleges?

[rodeodance]

5. i am a taxpayer in WI--an the Repug Leg. can take a hike!

[Iris]

42. Godspeed to ya, rodeodance! Keep up the good fight.

(btw - love your name!)

[whistle]

2. Ahaaaa, looks like, sounds like, smells like, it is academic censorship

[dailykoff]

39. It looks like another HUAC.

Same thing only worse.

[dailykoff]

40. p.s. wasn't Joe McCarthy from Wisconsin? (n/t)

[ladjf]

3. Are the taxpayers qualified to select faculty members?

[Biernuts]

4. He's entitled to his opinion. He has no entitlement to the money

paid by Wisconsin taxpayers.

The Trib is WAY off base referring to these total nutcases as "scholars".

[Sperk]

6. why not allow the debate? Do I get to decide what colleges teach, no.

Why should other students be deprived of their right to question 9/11?

[Sperk]

9. no offense, but anyone who believes the official story is a "nutcase" in

my book.

[John Q. Citizen]

12. Amen! (Or at least extremely gullible.) N/T

[AliceWonderland]

28. Hee. Yeah.

Agreed. I have no idea what happened on 9/11, but neither does anyone else. There isn't even an "official story" -- it's a schlockish piecemeal of contradictory and adsurd fancy that falls apart the moment you try to get any consistency or logic. And anyone who believes it without question is a whacko in my book.

Cheers to the fellow. Hope he gets folks in Wisconsin talking, reading, considering, debating, weighing evidence, and all that good stuff.

[nashville_brook]

15. tenure -- he is indeed entitled to money

[struggle4progress]

34. Misleading headline: he's a part-timer, an instructor, not a professor,

so tenure is irrelevant to the discussion.

[TheWatcher]

18. And you are way off base for buying the Official Story as fact

But then again, that is true for all too many Americans.

I'm sure if you had your way, there would be no objective debate on anything, only adherence to accepted mainstream propaganda status quo. Keep hope alive though, because I'm sure when the fascists in this country are finally done, you'll be able to live pleasantly in your American Idol Soaked, culture-less, devoid of reality fantasyland, and able to live out the deluded nonsense of fake history they want you to believe without any annoying interruption.

And unlike the politeness of the poster above, offense intended.

:eyes:

[Biernuts]

25. Different shit, same wackos

And I suppose Hillary murdered Vince Foster too? Just like Al Gore & Russ Feingold shot down TWA 800? No doubt, Ted Kennedy murdered both his brothers just for the sympathy vote.

You must be BEGGING to lose. And if the best you can do is "The government did it", then Democrats are destined to remain in the minority and out of power.

[Rude Horner]

29. According to the FBI, there is NO hard

evidence to prove that Osama Bin Forgotten was responsible for 911. This is according to OUR FBI. Yet people like you STILL seem to have absolutely no problem going along just thinking "ok, whatever". The largest terrorist attack on our country and you don't care to investiage any further than to believe what this Bush administration has told you. And yeah....they are soooooo reliable and honest. :sarcasm:

The best I can do is WAY beyond "The government did it". But I can tell your mindset isn't even remotely open to any other possibilities than the official story, so I won't even bother. The information is out there. You can choose to bury your head, or open your eyes.

[ConservativeDemocrat]

43. Other than the fact that Osama Bin Laden claimed credit?

In a 2004 video?

You can make yourself believe anything if you try hard enough.
You seem to be trying very hard to believe disproven anti-American macro-conspiracy theories.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[wildbilln864]

44. Bin Laden clearly...

said he did not do it.
You can believe the gubment BS if you want to though!
I saw King Kong running throught the streets of NYC also, but I know it wasn't real. Just like the OBL tapes!

...
UMMAT: You have been accused of involvement in the attacks in New York and Washington. What do you want to say about this? If you are not involved, who might be? Usama bin Laden

made the Earth as an abode for peace, for the whole humankind. Allah is the Sustainer, who sent Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for our guidance. I am thankful to the Ummat Group of Publications, which gave me the opportunity to convey my viewpoint to the people, particularly the valiant and momin (true Muslim) people of Pakistan who refused to believe the lies of the demon (Pakistani military dictator General Pervez Musharraf).

I have already said that I am not involved in the 11 September attacks in the United States. As a Muslim, I try my best to avoid telling a lie. I had no knowledge of these attacks, nor do I consider the killing of innocent women, children and other humans as an appreciable act. Islam strictly forbids causing harm to innocent women, children and other people. Such a practice is forbidden even in the course of a battle. It is the United States, which is perpetrating every maltreatment on women, children and common people of other faiths, particularly the followers of Islam. All that is going on in Palestine for the last 11 months is sufficient to call the wrath of God upon the United States and Israel. There is also a warning for those Muslim countries, which witnessed all these as a silent spectator. What had earlier been done to the innocent people of Iraq, Chechnya and Bosnia? Only one conclusion could be derived from the indifference of the United States and the West to these acts of terror and the patronage of the tyrants by these powers that America is an anti-Islamic power and it is patronizing the anti-Islamic forces. Its friendship with the Muslim countries is just a show, rather deceit. By enticing or intimidating these countries, the United States is forcing them to play a role of its choice. Put a glance all around and you will see that the slaves of the United States are either rulers or enemies of Muslims. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=125x100009
<http://serendipity.magnet.ch/wot/obl_int.htm>

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

56. Tim Osman is a reliable source?

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[yardwork]

20. Whether he's right or wrong, he is entitled to retain his job

despite his opinions. That's why we have the tenure system - it was created for exactly this sort of situation. Otherwise there would be no academic freedom, and a country that gives up academic freedoms goes downhill fast - real fast. Totalitarianism doesn't foster excellence.

[Rude Horner]

21. I'm a Wisconsin taxpayer

and he can get my money. I agree with him.

Before you think that the government wouldn't do anything like this, do a little research on "Operation Northwoods". Scary stuff. That, along with things like PNAC, http://www.911truth.org/, and the book Timeline of Terror opened my eyes.

At one time I, too, would have probably thought anybody who didn't buy the official story was a nutcase. My advice to you though is - do a little research with an open mind.

[LeighAnn]

30. You're joking, right?

Could you possibly have 310 posts and not have at least an inkling that 9-11 was an inside job? Doesn't it bother you that Bush's father spent the morning of September 11 with Osama Bin Laden's brother? Doesn't it bother you that Bush makes money from war? The only nutcases are the ones who know the facts but put on the blinders.

[rodeodance]

7. We will prob. have Bill O"Lielly show up!

[Quantess]

36. I was thinking of O'Lielly too!

This would be a good piece to grandstand about.

[54anickel]

8. Alas, we were once a Progressive state. Growing redder every

year. :-( Wonder what Nass's formal resolution to fire the guy looked like?

snip>

....All but one, Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer of Manitowoc, were Republicans.

The lawmakers sent the letter to the governor, university leaders and Barrett instead of approving a formal resolution offered by Nass during the last day of their session last week. Republicans did not take up the resolution, saying it was not the right day for political bickering.



http://www.madison.com/tct/news/index.php?ntid=91016&ntpid=2
Pocan denounces Rep. Nass for stance on UW lecturer

snip>

Barrett will make $8,247 as a part-time lecturer for the fall semester. He is active in a group called 9/11 Truth, which believes the World Trade Center towers were blown up by U.S. government operatives on Sept. 11, 2001, as a way to get the United States into a war in the Middle East.

The Legislature wrapped up its work this session on Wednesday without taking up a resolution from Nass calling on the UW to fire Barrett.

Nass now plans to send the resolution as a letter to UW officials next week, and is also calling for cuts to be made to UW administrative positions when the university's next biennial budget comes under review.

Pocan dismissed Nass' views as "fodder for someone who hasn't done anything this session."

"If Steve Nass has nothing better to do than micro-manage every part-time lecturer's curriculum, and then make crazy threats, it shows how ineffective and useless Steve Nass is," Pocan said. "Some people are out there, some are way out there, and then there's Steve Nass."

more...

[John Q. Citizen]

13. The final paragraph is great! (n/t)

[MrPrax]

10. Why doesn't the Group of 61...

debate the good professor publicly...they should have no problem explaining it all and showing just how wrong this professor is with his conspiracy theories.

I guess like Papa Congress, these Baby Congresses have lots of time on their hands to debate important issues like this.

[JohnyCanuck]

23. I am sure Barrett would be up for a debate.

Dr. Kevin Barrett, U.W.-Madison lecturer who has received overwhelming public support along with a dash of vitriol for expressing his views about 9/11 on a radio program, has challenged Rep. Steve Nass to debate him on the subject. "It is time to stop the name-calling and threats, and get down to a serious, scholarly debate," Barrett said, adding "If Rep. Nass successfully refutes my arguments, I promise to withdraw them, and issue a public apology to Vice President Cheney and others I have named as 9/11 suspects."
..
Here is Barrett’s letter to Steve Nass challenging him to a debate, emailed to Nass on Tuesday evening, July 11th:



Dear Rep. Nass,

Since you have stated that I have no scholarly basis for my ideas about 9/11, and repeatedly insulted me and my views, I challenge you to a public debate on the topic. You will argue that the 9/11 Commission Report is a trustworthy account of the events of 9/11, and I will argue that it is not.

The debate format will favor complex argumentation backed by scholarly sources, and allow for sustained cross-examination.

Are you willing to stand behind your ideas and subject them to the light of critical scrutiny? Or are you afraid to go beyond simple name-calling?

Sincerely,

Kevin Barrett

http://www.911blogger.com/2006/07/barrett-challenges-rep-nass-to-debate.html

[INDIA]

11. Cool Avatar. n/t

[nashville_brook]

14. it's why we have TENURE -- the search for truth is not a

popularity contest.

and that's what academics do -- they are paid to seek and speak truth.

[Biernuts]

26. Tenure doesn't cover the clinically insane. Retire the idiot for

mental disability, now.

[nashville_brook]

35. the billy budd society awaits you

[SensibleAmerican]

41. Yes ... but he doesn't have tenure

n/t

[november3rd]

16. opportune

This could provide Barret with publicity if he makes an opportunity to present his case publicly before the state Legislature.

[november3rd]

17. opportune

This could provide Barret with publicity if he makes an opportunity to present his case publicly before the state Legislature.

[Micahyah]

19. I support him 100%

The truth is on Barret's side, that's all that matters. www.st911.org

[Binka]

38. Welcome To Du!

Truth always outs!

[HuffleClaw]

22. if the 'conspiracy theory' in question was about CLINTON...

'nuff said.

[mrgerbik]

47. huh? not a chance... n/t

[Grateful for Hope]

49. So now it is still Clinton's fault? Yeah right. N/t

[ConservativeDemocrat]

24. If this was a Biology teacher turned born again creationist...

...complete with an offer to "debate" a legislator with no formal-scientific training in discrediting crackpot theories, would attitudes around here be different?

Signs point to yes.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[SkyIsGrey]

54. In all cases of debate..

both sides have to offer constructive evidence(e.n. Reality, not something based on speculative myth)which applies to both sides. If one or both sides are unable to do so, debate is over until said evidence can be supplied, if at all. In case of 911 and Bin Laden, and having two confessions that contradict, to both sides I say Prove It.

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

57. when is the "Reality Based Community"

going to explain the molten steel,wtc7,air defense stand down..etc?

[Sven77]

27. this guy was awesome against the fox neo-cons

9/11 Truth: Kevin Barrett Outfoxes Hannnity & Colmes

Kevin Barrett talks about 9/11 being an inside job and does an excellent job mopping up the floor with a very uppity and pompous Sean Hannity. The best Hannity can do is personal attacks and name calling, while Barrett actually has facts.

[leesa]

33. I question whether those lawmakers are fit to govern since they seem

to think it's A-OK not to investigate 9-11 at all, yet to carpet bomb a country for 10 months just on the off chance of hitting a handful of ALLEGED criminals.

Is that rational policy to these bozos?

[quickesst]

45. Do any of you....

feel as though you are conversing with(debating) the recorded message you get when trying to get through to an actual operator? No matter what you say, you know that the recorded message will not change. That is how I feel whenever I read an OCT post. Barrett's challenge to the repug on debating 9/11 tells all. The gubment won't debate simply because they are aware of the distortions and omissions of the 9/11 commission report, and know as fact, they will get their individual or collective asses handed to them. As long as they can condemn ct people from afar, they will continue the same tactic. The OCT crowd will say, "Why debate something so crazy?" Well, why not debate it, put an end to the issue, and resolve the argument? Instead, the OCT, for reasons that are apparent to most here, would rather use these forums and the like, to keep the debate alive on their terms. If the debate can stay at status quo, the OCT will not have to provide an honest debate, nor will they have to provide any definitive proof of their claims. Bush and company has made billions as a result of the events on 9/11, and it seems apparent from what I read from the numerous OCT cheerleaders, that there is more than enough to go around. Accept the OTC? You're either paid, or ignorant. Do some basic research and still accept the OCT without getting paid? Please, stop breathing my air. It's too precious. Thanks.
quickesst

[BuddyYoung]

46. Equally irritating is that it's US that have to tread very, very carefully

If this were a rightwingnut site, they could be told straight up what they deserve to hear and know they WOULD hear.

[54anickel]

48. Wow, sent to the 9-11 basement? Legislatures trying to control college

curriculum of an introductory course on Islam, with all that's going on in the ME, and the thread gets moved to the 9-11 forum. Could have at least been moved to the WI forum where someone might care. :tinfoilhat: :eyes:

http://www.madison.com/tct/news/index.php?ntid=91016&ntpid=2

snip>

Barrett will make $8,247 as a part-time lecturer for the fall semester. He is active in a group called 9/11 Truth, which believes the World Trade Center towers were blown up by U.S. government operatives on Sept. 11, 2001, as a way to get the United States into a war in the Middle East.

snip>

UW-Madison Provost Patrick Farrell, the No. 2 official at the Madison campus, cleared Barrett to teach the course on Islam on Monday, saying Barrett was well qualified to teach the course, had solid lesson plans, would allow students to challenge his views, and that the discussion of 9/11 would be a "small yet significant" part of the course.

When contacted by The Capital Times today, Farrell issued a statement through the UW communications office saying that he stood by his position to allow Barrett to teach this fall and "respectfully disagrees" with Nass.

Pocan said he didn't agree with Barrett's views of what happened on Sept. 11, 2001, but the theory that the U.S. government had something to do with the attacks is one that's believed by millions of people around the world, especially among Muslims.

"I went to Indonesia with a bipartisan delegation right after 9/11 but before we invaded Iraq," Pocan said. "There definitely is a theory in the Islamic world that there was some involvement by the American government in the attacks."

[Jazz2006]

50. The whole thing is kind of silly, in my view.

I'd prefer that all opinions and views be discussed up front and centre, and I am entirely averse to censorship even when it would mean shutting down the rightwing crazies (including those who post here on DU while pretending to be lefties - you know who you are) whose views I disagree with. It's just not my style to want to shut down even whacko rightwing conspiracy theorists without putting on record the obvious and rational reasons for disputing their nonsense.

If I had it my way, I'd rather that all views on all subjects be openly discussed and that all posts, even those of rightwingers posing as progressives here, stand for everyone to read. It's better to knock down their faux "arguments" in the open than it is to simply ignore the silliness of their posts, in my view.

I'd also rather that rightwing poseurs pretending to be progressives here at DU who post all manner of conspiracy theory nonsense would stop whining to the mods whenever they get a wee taste of their own medicine directed back at them, so that the record would stand complete.

Sadly, that isn't likely to happen as long as the rightwing core of tinhatters spouting RW conspiracy theories here while pretending to be lefties still exists.

Sad, that.

[dailykoff]

51. McCarthyism isn't "silly," it's a serious threat to civil liberties.

And whatever makes you think that there are "rightwingers posing as progressives" here?

/heavy sarcasm

[mirandapriestly]

52. The apathy of conformism, at work...nt

[Jazz2006]

55. self delete...

ridiculous stuff, not worthy of response.

not even this early in the morning.

[Generarth]

53. Why don't we try and get all of Washington fired

for trying to push a conspiracy theory on us.