| US college professor under fire for his Cheney-9/11 theory [message #228179] |
Sa, 22 Juli 2006 04:00 |
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MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) -- More than 60 state lawmakers are urging the
University of Wisconsin-Madison to fire an instructor who has argued
that the U.S. government orchestrated the September 11 terrorist
attacks.
A letter sent Thursday and signed by 52 Assembly representatives and
nine state senators condemns a decision to let Kevin Barrett teach an
introductory class on Islam this fall.
U.W.-Madison Provost Pat Farrell launched a review after Barrett spoke
last month on a talk show about his views that the terrorist attacks
were the result of a government conspiracy to spark war in the Middle
East. After the review, Farrell said Barrett was a qualified instructor
who can present his views as one perspective on the attacks.
Barrett has said he thinks the most likely theory about the 9/11 plot
is that it was an "inside job" organized and commanded by Vice
President Dick Cheney.(Watch why Barrett thinks Dick Cheney authorized
9/11 -- 1:45)
"I still have every expectation this will be a very positive
educational experience for our students," Farrell said Thursday. "Some
are upset about Mr. Barrett's viewpoints on 9/11 and don't want to pay
much attention to what makes for a quality educational experience."
Republican Rep. Steve Nass said the lawmakers' letter, which called
Barrett's views "academically dishonest," sends a strong message to top
U.W. leaders.
"When 61 legislators condemn a decision by U.W.-Madison and demand the
dismissal of Kevin Barrett, the leadership of the U.W. System operates
at its own peril if it continues to ignore views of the taxpayers,"
Nass said in a statement.
Barrett has said Nass was "only interested in name-calling and witch
hunting."
The state Assembly last week refused to take up a proposed resolution
supported by Nass calling on university to fire Barrett, who will get
$8,247 as a part-time instructor this fall.
In Colorado, another professor has been under fire for an essay
likening white-collar victims of the September 11 attacks to Nazi
official Adolf Eichmann, a key planner of the Holocaust.
University of Colorado officials concluded that ethnic studies
professor Ward Churchill could not be fired over the essay because of
free-speech protections, but they launched an investigation into
allegations of academic misconduct.
A faculty committee concluded he committed research misconduct and
university officials said last month that he should be fired. Churchill
has appealed to keep his job.
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