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UCSB Professor Faces Faculty Inquiry Over E-mails
When UCSB sociology professor William Robinson forwarded an e-mail to his students during the course of his winter lectures earlier this year, he wanted to get some discussion going on the matter.
What he got instead of discourse on the controversial e-mail is a committee of his peers preparing to decide whether he violated faculty codes of conduct.
“I expect to be completely vindicated,” he said. A final decision has yet to be made.
In January, Robinson forwarded two e-mails to his class of 80 students for his course on “The Sociology of Globalization.” One e-mail was a commentary written by a Jew for an American Jewish newspaper criticizing Israel’s takeover of Gaza. The other was a photo essay juxtaposing images of the atrocities of the Nazis in Warsaw with images of Israeli activity in Palestine.
It was the second e-mail that deeply offended two of his Jewish students, senior Rebecca Joseph and junior Tova Hausman, who launched complaints against their Jewish teacher for what they saw as anti-Semitic rhetoric, especially when prefaced with phrases such as “Gaza is Israel’s Warsaw.” Their efforts to address this perceived insult finally reached the ears of the Anti-Defamation League, which sent a complaint to Robinson. Eventually, the university responded with the ongoing formation of an ad-hoc committee to review the situation.
“We felt that the comparisons between Nazis and Israelis were offensive ... well beyond legitimate criticisms of Israel,” said Cyndi Silverman, director of the local branch of the ADL.
“In our view, no accurate comparison can be made between the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the atrocities committed by the Nazis against the Jews,” says the ADL complaint to Robinson, which urges him to “unequivocally repudiate” the views expressed in his forwarded e-mail.
In response, Robinson and the students who support him have launched the Committee to Defend Academic Freedom at UCSB, contending that his actions were within the scope of his work. It’s a position that Robinson defends vigorously.
“What we do as university professors, and this is the point of higher education, is to provoke students to think of the world we live in,” Robinson said. Part of academic freedom, he said, is to bring controversial subjects into the classroom in order to challenge students.
“It’s perfectly legitimate to raise those issues, to say for instance in discussion: ‘One of the most horrible events of the 20th century was the Holocaust, and this is what the Nazis did in these images. Now look at these images taking place in Palestine by the victims of the Holocaust.’ That’s open debate, that’s what we do in the university ... there are striking parallels and you can agree or disagree with that, but that’s a matter of what we look at and what we debate.”
More to the point, Silverman said, is the way Robinson conveyed the information.
“In our letter we just stated that we recognize his academic freedom, we recognize his right of free speech,” she said.
What the ADL is concerned about was the manner in which he presented his information, she said, and whether it was truly within the scope of his work.
“There’s a number of faculty codes of conduct about faculty integrity and what you can send out to your students,” Silverman said. In sending this to students he violated a number of faculty codes of conduct,” she said, adding that he “overstepped his bounds by sending out course information unrelated to the course.”
Robinson argues that it was forwarded as part of course material.
The end result, Silverman said, is that two of Robinson’s students became so intimidated and distressed over the situation that they were forced to drop the course.
Adding to the controversy was a visit by Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham Foxman last March. According to Robinson and his supporters, the meeting was to pressure university officials to investigate charges of “anti-Semitism” against him.
Silverman contends, however, that the meeting was planned months in advance, before the issue with Robinson even began.
“Abe Foxman did not come out in response to Professor Robinson,” she said, adding that Foxman came out on a fundraising mission.
Regardless of the intention, the outcome was that Foxman did address the situation with Robinson with university officials.
“When the meeting started, Foxman quickly launched into what I would call a rant about what he said was an anti-Semitic email that professor Robinson sent to his class,” said Harold Marcuse, a UCSB history professor in support of Robinson who was at the meeting. “We then had an open discussion about Foxman’s comments and the charges against Robinson. In my recollection, that was the only thing we talked about at the meeting. Nothing else was discussed.”
According to Paul Desruisseaux from UCSB, the matter is still being reviewed to determine if there is a need for a formal investigation. While the students in support of Robinson claim that university officials are being deliberately uncommunicative, Desruisseaux says that any comment now by UCSB’s top officials would be “prejudicial.”
“It’s not appropriate for the chancellor or anyone to weigh in on, or to comment on the situation,” he said.
For the moment, both sides are playing a waiting game, with Robinson concerned what example the university might set as a result of this process. The student supporters have set up a campus forum to discuss the situation on May 14.
“My big concern is that if this is not addressed rapidly and forcefully by the university in defense of academic freedom, we are going to set a precedent and an environment of censorship and intimidation on campus,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ADL is also watching the process, waiting to see what the ad-hoc committee formed by the Academic Senate is going to find in terms of the alleged violations of conduct.
“We’re giving the university time to run this course and then we’ll see how to respond to it,” Silverman said.
— Noozhawk staff writer Sonia Fernandez can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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» on 05.01.09 @ 05:03 PM
Finally a snot nosed UCSB professor getting what he asked for. His actions are indefensible. Professors need to stop using their platforms for propagandizing students with their own hatred and political views under threat of bad grades for those who don’t go along with their viewpoints..
» on 05.01.09 @ 05:10 PM
The professor does not acknowledge the difference between an atrocity of aggression and one of self defense. These world views can always be simplified with an analogy of a criminal perpetration. It is one thing to attack your neighbor because you are a racist and do not believe he should be allowed to live (the Nazis). It is quite another to take action because your neighbor keeps chucking rocks into your back yard, breaking your windows, endangering your children and you have had enough of it (Israelis vs Palestinians).
» on 05.02.09 @ 01:26 AM
Why don’t we just introduce general censorship on campus? We should only allow things to be said that everybody likes and that no one can get offended by. This would make a whole bunch of oversensitive undergrads so much happier. We could talk about ice cream, facebook pictures of last weekend’s super party, great weekend surfing with the dudes, etc. God forbid that we actually discuss anything inconvenient where opinions may clash and where some student(s) may actually be forced to look outside their worldview ... Jesus Christ, and this is supposed to be a university, an institution of higher education. Sometimes I am ashamed to be here ...
» on 05.02.09 @ 01:26 AM
This is an outragious assault on free speech in the University. ADL has moved from an organization that fought for the civil rights of Jews and others in this country to an organization that attempts to suppress all criticism of Israel. The job of a University education is to stretch students out of their comfort zone and challeng them to think deeply about their most deeply held ideas and beliefs.
If the students felt that the professor was wrong, then it was their job to present rational arguments and facts that demonstrated why the Professor Robinson was wrong. I don’t believe that they were so fragile that they were that intimidated by Professor Robinson.
I would defend the right of any professor in that situation, but it is ironic that this charge of anti-semitism is being made toward Professor Robinson since he is Jewish himself. And there are a significant number of Jewish and Israeli organizations that agree with him.
» on 05.02.09 @ 02:42 AM
It’s irresponsible to print this story without the e-mails in question. But the story is lousy in other ways as well. It’s not clear if there are other Jewish students in the class who support the professor. Also, the e-mails were sent to all students in the class, how can this be defined as intent to intimidate the two students who withdrew from the course? If the students had gone into class, armed with counter-arguments and the Professor had shut them down or threatened a low grade for their views, that’s intimidation.
But because the story is so poorly written, or intentionally vague, it elevates the conflict. Perhaps the professor was wrong to use e-mail versus the classroom to discuss the topic. There’s an implicit laziness in teaching via e-mail. On it’s face, however, this is an example of a professor attempting to stimulate discussion. It was a provocation—to think.
» on 05.02.09 @ 03:25 AM
The attack on the prison camp called Gaza by the full force of one of the most powerful military in the world was beyond belief. To inform students of the facts is what education is all about. The Zionist run state of Israel is the most violent state in the world. How sad that the victims of Nazi Germany would would emulate those who victimized them. Bob
» on 05.02.09 @ 03:45 AM
Did the reporter talk to any actual students that are in the class? It doesn’t look like it. It seems like that would be an important voice. And where’s the link to the newspaper article mentioned?
» on 05.02.09 @ 03:52 AM
This is about free speech, academic freedom, and the ability to openly discuss ideas in a safe university environment. The concept of “politically correct” emanated from the nation’s universities; perhaps the Committee to Defend Academic Freedom’s stand is the beginning of the end of “pc-ness” (one might hope). Robinson’s views are certainly controversial but deserve discussion, not political excoriation by the ADL and others. BTW, I am from a Jewish family and not offended by Robinson’s views (this does not mean that I agree with them, however).
» on 05.02.09 @ 05:03 AM
These students were intimidated? By what? (Sort of like Christianists being intimidated by a teacher discussing evolution?) Compare them to the children who integrated schools in Alabama. I feel a bit sorry for those 2 students at UCSB. They are probably intimidated by the ADL now.
» on 05.02.09 @ 05:08 AM
Pretty flimsy story. Where’s the anti-Semitic rhetoric the reporter writes about?
» on 05.02.09 @ 06:04 AM
This professor has the right to call a spade a spade.
Or in this case, to call the Jews terrorists.
Because, after all, they are, aren’t they?
» on 05.02.09 @ 06:18 AM
These students were intimidated? By what? (Sort of like Christianists being intimidated by a teacher discussing evolution?) Compare them to the children who integrated schools in Alabama. I feel a bit sorry for those 2 students at UCSB. They are probably intimidated by the ADL now.
» on 05.02.09 @ 07:01 AM
These students were intimidated? By what? (Sort of like Christianists being intimidated by a teacher discussing evolution?) Compare them to the children who integrated schools in Alabama. I feel a bit sorry for those 2 students at UCSB. They are probably intimidated by the ADL now.
» on 05.02.09 @ 08:20 AM
I have been receiving several emails from someone purporting to be a student of Prof. Robinson’s who is obviously not only supporting the professor, but also seeing to obtain that support from the public (I am not connected with the university in any way). My concern originally was in response to the request to send to Chancellor Yang a form letter which had been prepared by the emailer or by someone else supportive of Prof. Robinson. In fact, I was and am more concerned about what the word “education” means - and I do not think it means indoctrination as opposed to encouragement to think.
Now, however, my concern has become more complex as the supporters of Prof.Robinson are complaining in a blizzard of letters and emails about “outside influences” attempting to intervene in what is considered to be a “private university issue” which has been couched as “Academic Freedom”. So, it seems that is acceptable to seek “outside influences” if that influence coincides with the seeker’s interest, whereas if the “outsider” does not agree, it is quite alright to quash that “influence.”
Propaganda is a dangerous flame - and efforts to prevent any criticism of someone’s position is, in fact, exactly the type of danger the emailer seeks to use against anyone who has a legitimate difference of opinion.
A University - especially one supported by public funds - is not a white tower whose workings are to be kept secret from the very public which supports it.
I object to the effort to influence a university committee which has a job to investigate the workings of its staff or faculty or students. I also object to efforts to prevent the type of transparency which American citizens have finally been able to achieve in some small way.
» on 05.02.09 @ 08:22 AM
The issue here is complex, because there are several factors that need to be severed from the general discussion of whether the sending of the email is or was appropriate.
Probably, the email transmittal is an acceptable form of communication to multiple students, particularly if the intent is to have a class discussion of the issue.
Our next step is to examine the content, since that appears to be what generated the controversy. There is no doubt that Professor Robinson has a right to his opinion regarding what is going on in the conflict between the Israelis and the multiple groups claiming to represent the Palestinians.
The inference to be obtained from the email is that Professor Robinson considers that Gaza is a prison camp,Of course he is entitled to hold any opinion that he wishes and to circulate it,and he is entitled to compare it with any historical event that has occurred. But, the question surfaces, are these comparisons a sample of his thinking and do they represent the quality of his reasoning, and if so, does this affect his ability to teach in any reputable institution of higher learning?
Currently, there a number of people who, because of sympathy for the Palestinians, believe that they are suffering the same travails that the Jews suffered as they were being rounded up and sent to the death camps and they complain that the Palestinians are enduring a Holocaust, as well.
Obviously, the situations are not only dissimilar but are incomparable and unrealistic.
There is no doubt that the Palestinians are enduring hardship and privation and deserve to be dealt with ,not only on a humane level, but also, because they have rights and those rights are not being handled fairly. To some degree this is contributed to by the Israelis insistence that they have the right to exist and be recognized, and the multitude of Palestinian groups who are unwilling to do so.
The continuing strife is counter productive , but the right to live and be free, and to defend ones self is essential and cannot be limited. So, until sweet reason prevails, this conflict will continue and countless lives will be unnecessarily be lost.
» on 05.02.09 @ 08:29 AM
I’m still not quite clear on how such a hostile and unwelcome environment was created for the students. Was Prof. Robinson promoting the views in the second article and shutting down debate against it?
Also, ADL’s actions come off as heavy-handed with what is being presented. Their mission to “stop the defamation of the Jewish people” is a necessary one, but perhaps they would’ve accomplished something more if they requested to present their views to the class (thus fostering dialogue in the academic space) as opposed to what can be perceived as arm-twisting University officials. I believe the students would’ve been able to appreciate the message that the article’s comparison with Nazi Germany is problematic and irresponsible, and they would’ve learned the value of critical thinking.
» on 05.02.09 @ 08:53 AM
This whole controversy is ridiculous! Professor Robinson sent an email to students about a global issue in a globalization class, which makes it totally relevant and within the scope of his work. So the student stating that he submitted “significant intrusion of material unrelated to the course” is laughable. Not to mention, one email is not a “significant intrusion.” Why the heck is the ADL even involved? These students couldn’t just delete the email or talk to Professor Robinson about their concerns before dropping the class and hightailing to the ADL Santa Barbara officer? This just sounds like over dramatic, bizarre behavior for college students. It begs the question as to what kind of students are attending UCSB these days. Just to sure, I read the email and it wasn’t that horrific and the comparison does foster critical thinking. Whatever the case, it doesn’t follow that Robinson, a Jewish professor, should be considered anti-Semitic for expressing his views (whatever they may be) on the Israeli invasion of Gaza. That the university is seriously considering the claims of these students is mind boggling.
» on 05.02.09 @ 09:43 AM
Where’s the anti-semitism? The story’s not clear.
» on 05.02.09 @ 10:21 AM
Phew! Thank you to all the posters who precede this one. I first read this story this morning [4.2.09] when there were only the 1st 2 posts from last night. “Oh, boy,” I thought, “Here comes the one-sided torrent from anonymous posters who believe you can’t openly discuss a delicate, nuanced or complex subject without being ‘politically incorrect,’ ‘biased,’ ‘racist’ or all three.”
What a difference a few hours makes. I return now to see a satisfying mix and breadth of opinion that would delight any college professor if it were spoken in her classroom. Bolsters my faith in the self-balancing feature of open discussion. I don’t agree with everything posted (now THAT would be weird!) but I don’t think I’d mind having this group in my living room for such a discussion. Probably just the result originally intended by Professor Robinson.
Keep up the good work, guys!
» on 05.02.09 @ 11:07 AM
Somebody asked: “Why the heck is the ADL even involved?”
Because the ADL appears to be systematically trying to stifle all criticism of Israel, especially on college campuses. These charges of anti-semitism are as phony as they come. Chancellor Yang and the administration of UCSB should be ashamed of themselves for giving credence to this obvious encrouchment on free speech, particularly academic free speech.
» on 05.02.09 @ 03:53 PM
I am sick of the hypocrisy and double standards. We all know good and well that if this email was directed against any other group - it would be denounced as “hate speech”. If it is against Jews or Christians it is called “free speech”.
» on 05.02.09 @ 03:55 PM
We also know good and well that if it were Palestinian students offended, the ACLU would be in here in a heartbeat and being cheered on!! But no not the ADL. Sick of the double standards.
» on 05.02.09 @ 06:33 PM
People: if you want to see the emails, it’s the very first link in the story.
» on 05.02.09 @ 08:16 PM
The ADL defames the Jewish people by equating criticism of Israeli state policy—regardless whether it is inaccurate of badly framed—to bigotry against Jews (anti-semitism), much as genuine anti-semites like “Freedom of Speech” above do. And the ADL defames the Jewish people by pretending to or appearing to represent them; the Jewish people as whole are not guilty of the sort of pathetic intellectual dishonesty that the ADL displays. And the ADL defames Jews who are critical of Israel—specifically, they are defaming Professor Robinson.
» on 05.02.09 @ 08:31 PM
“I am sick of the hypocrisy and double standards. We all know good and well that if this email was directed against any other group - it would be denounced as “hate speech”. If it is against Jews or Christians it is called “free speech”.
We also know good and well that if it were Palestinian students offended, the ACLU would be in here in a heartbeat and being cheered on!! But no not the ADL. Sick of the double standards.”
We all know good and well that Robinson’s email would be denounced as hate speech by Realist, because he is basically doing that right here. And we all know good and well that Realist would defend anything that offended Palestinians as free speech. Which makes Realist a hypocrite with double standards. And he’s doubly hypocritical because he’s accusing others of that which he clearly is guilty of. As for whether the others are guilty of his charge—well, no; those defending Robinson’s academic freedom would also defend his or any other professor’s academic freedom if, say, Palestinians were compared to Kamikaze pilots. Would the ACLU show up and be cheered? Only to defend the professor’s free speech rights. Would the ADL complain about defamation of the Palestinians? Not bloody likely.
» on 05.02.09 @ 08:32 PM
I blame Bush.
» on 05.02.09 @ 08:52 PM
“Pretty flimsy story. Where’s the anti-Semitic rhetoric the reporter writes about?”
and
“Where’s the anti-semitism? The story’s not clear.”
—-
The writer was quite careful not to claim that there is any anti-semitism, only to report that two students claim there is, and that Abe Foxman of the ADL was reported by professor Harold Marcuse as complaining about anti-semitism. If it’s not clear where the anti-semitism is, you can’t blame the writer—the blame belongs to those claiming there is anti-semitism when there isn’t any.
In addition to the bogus charge anti-semitism ... the ADL pays lip service to Robinson’s academic freedom while ferociously attacking it; they justify their attack on the transparently fraudulent grounds that Robinson’s email was not related to the course. On that point, the story is not clear about the basis of that ridiculous claim. But, as reported elsewhere, this trumped up charge is derived from Robinson answering one of the offended students who asked what she was supposed to do with the material; he told her that it was for her information. The claim that this was an “admission” that it wasn’t related to the course is an obvious lie, but is now part of the charges against Robinson.
» on 05.03.09 @ 03:12 AM
In the olden days when I was at UCSB, a Professor would send printed material to The Alternative copy shop where a bound book of paper would be made for students to buy as required class materials. Now in the 21st Century, the same stuff is sent via email, but everyone freaks out because they expect the medium of email to be cute and fun and casual.
Plenty of Professors are a bit extreme, but that is how academics and the tenet of Academic Freedom works or nothing gets done or ideas advanced or analyzed and sometimes rejected through extreme tests. If the content via email somehow violated the Faculty Code of conduct, then the Faculty have a process to deal with it and apparently are.
This Professor Robinson is a bit whack and hyperbolic based upon hearing him speak a few times, but that makes everyone think about it all, which is the entire point of an academic class.
The students who were offended may need to learn something about this world and how offensive and unjust it is and put it all in perspective; therefore, they are getting their money’s worth at the increasingly expensive University of California.
» on 05.03.09 @ 04:27 AM
Of course there is no anti-semitism today. Everyone knows that Jews are now beneficiaries of white privilege, and that Israel is a neo-colonialist outpost of hegemonic Western imperialism.
» on 05.03.09 @ 06:04 AM
For once I actually agree with Allen Ghitterman. There simply is no comparison between the plight of the Palestinians’ and the Holocaust. It is not suppression of “free speech” or “Israeli criticism” the ADL is going after, it is lying and dishonesty. There is no room for propaganda, inculcating and indoctrination in the classroom and calling such things “free speech’ actually harms freedom of expression by reducing its credibility to zero. Too much of our higher education system has been invaded by politics rather than teaching, enough is enough. There are plenty of ways to encourage thinking in the classroom with out interjecting your own warped sense of history Mr. Robinson.
» on 05.03.09 @ 06:24 AM
Read the email by Robinson..Bravo for the offended students for standing up, although they should have went directly to Robinson first….Sounds like Robinson needs a course in cultural proficiency. It’s one thing to discuss curriculum such as politics, but as a professor, it seems your role is more of a facilitator of discussions, present the material from all sides, and let the students decide for themselves. The email reads like a newsaper headline, bringing in MLK (researched based data)? This kind of “teaching” happens way too much in education…Would Robinson be OK with students responded, “Hey Robinson, take your opinions and stick it, this isn’t about you.” Academic freedom? There’s a vague idea, sure, professors should have the academic freedom to cover relevant topics, however, Robinson seems to want both..I’d be offended and a bit intimidated as well if my professor expressed personal views such as those. Lastly, I’d like to know What were the goals/objectives of the lesson? How do you measure these when the prof. has already decided it..
» on 05.03.09 @ 06:40 AM
Thank you, Ms. Fernandez, for your article. I only hope we see many more faculty investigations in the future. Professor Robinson is only one of thousands of professors who use their classroom as a political bully- pulpit, under the guise of “academic freedom”, and getting the students to “think for themselves.” Unfortunately, it’s not about thinking for themselves. It’s about thinking like professor Robinson. I commend his students who had the bravery to lodge the complaint.
» on 05.03.09 @ 07:22 AM
The Iranians put out a death warrant on Rushdi for a similar cartoon. This professor was wrong to associate teaching with such profane comparisons and cartoons. He should be fired. In my view the students and faculty who support Robinson should be ashamed of themselves for supporting or condoning and accepting such hatred as contained in those emails and the vile representations contained in them. Whether or not Robinson and his supporters are anti-semetic is not really as much the issue as that a professor in a public university could use such material as a “teaching tool"regardless of his claimed intent. There are (or should be) boundaries even at a university! To compare a nation defending itself from relentless terrorist attacks designed to “wipe it from the face of the earth” to a deliberate national policy of ethnic cleansing by a teacher is irresponsible.
» on 05.03.09 @ 10:23 AM
I blame Obama—the mother of all haters of jews and lover of arabs.
» on 05.03.09 @ 12:02 PM
OK Marcy how is what I said hate speech? You’re an idiot. I will quote it again as you did, and you point out the part that is hateful for everyone ok?
“I am sick of the hypocrisy and double standards. We all know good and well that if this email was directed against any other group - it would be denounced as “hate speech”. If it is against Jews or Christians it is called “free speech”.
We also know good and well that if it were Palestinian students offended, the ACLU would be in here in a heartbeat and being cheered on!! But no not the ADL. Sick of the double standards.”
» on 05.03.09 @ 07:05 PM
“how is what I said hate speech? You’re an idiot.”
The idiot is obviously the person who asks “how is what I said hate speech” when no one said that anything he said is hate speech—an idiot who can’t read or comprehend.
» on 05.03.09 @ 07:15 PM
David Pritchett makes some good points. (I don’t know anything about Robinson so I’m addressing Pritchett’s points overall) All I’d add to what was said is that these students need to learn the art of debate and being able to articulate their ideas as opposed to running to the A.D.L. or any other self-appointed standard-bearer of morality.
» on 05.03.09 @ 07:26 PM
“The Iranians put out a death warrant on Rushdi for a similar cartoon. “
So much error in so little space. It’s Salman Rushdi*e*, it was for a book, not a cartoon—and similar to what cartoon? The issue is over photographs, not cartoons—photographs that neither you nor any of the other thugs attacking Robinson have bothered to look at. And it was Ayatollah Khomeini, not “the Iranians”—a minor matter, but indicative of how utterly ignorant such commenters are and thus how worthless their opinions. And not so minor—why should we be using the Ayatollah Khomeini as a model? Because he issued a fatwa, Robinson should be fired? I don’t think so, but the hooligans calling for Robinson’s head clearly share a lot with the deceased Ayatollah.
“I blame Obama—the mother of all haters of jews and lover of arabs.”
Such lovely, well informed people these right wingers are.
» on 05.04.09 @ 04:14 AM
Marcy don’t get your panties in a wad. I hate you by the way. That’s hate speech.
» on 05.04.09 @ 04:22 AM
Becky is absolutely right - it is pure indoctrination and intimidation. Attending classes as an art history major at UCSB during the September 11 attacks the Middle Eastern professor was spouting off about how it was our fault and we deserved it. I spoke up against her viewpoint and ever since was met with cold glares whenever I had contact with her. I had to drop the class, for fear of failing. It is about free speech as long as you agree with the prof, if not, fear for your grades.
» on 05.04.09 @ 04:25 AM
Marcel Kincaid is right. There is no antisemitism in this article. It is interesting to note that the professor and the two students who “doth protest too much” are all Jewish. The university environment is supposed to provoke thought. Bravo to professor Robinson!
» on 05.04.09 @ 05:19 AM
Marcel you’re clearly an anti-semitic hateful spiteful name calling immature bigoted whiny prissy far left liberal baby. Who was it that didn’t give you the spanking you deserved when you were 5 years old?
» on 05.04.09 @ 05:48 AM
Marcel Kinkaid’s remarks are so indicative of an ignorant racist, bigot that they do not deserve a rebuttal other than to say; your arguments are almost as vile as the photographs in Robinson’s email.
» on 05.04.09 @ 07:14 AM
I totally support he professor because the charges by the students are obviously political.
Also, why should a student be sheltered from what they will se in the real world.
part of education is to prepare students to deal with articles they will be subjected to the real world.
If the students didn’t like what they read they could simply hit the delete button on their computer.
Or they could have brought up, the subject in class and debated it. After all it is a global issue and the class is all about global issues.
Once these students graduate and get out in the real world they are going to be subjected to coming across articles just like this all the time either on the web or in newspapers or on TV.
They can either be mature enough to be able to deal with it by thinking about it, analyzing it, forming their own position and and defending their own position during discussions about it, or they can remain babies all, of their lives and try to hide from what others say and think.
Poor little babies!
» on 05.04.09 @ 07:26 AM
These are photos and photos don’t lie.
But one thing was omitted, and that is photos of acts by the Arabs.
So, in reality there are three groups acting the same here:
1. the Nazis
2. the Jews
3. the Arabs
» on 05.04.09 @ 09:45 AM
“I totally support he professor because the charges by the students are obviously political.”
But the professor’s emails were NOT POLITICAL? Give me a break.
» on 05.04.09 @ 11:46 AM
What are we going to censor next? While it blows me away that the same liberal bias that typically supports the Palestine effort is now throwing this professor under the bus, it becomes apparently clear that we live in a society so afraid of offending anyone that we will go to irrational lengths to make sure “we don’t hurt anyone’s feelings”. This story epitomizes the pitfall of the politically correct movement; you can’t make everyone happy, now grow up. http://www.twitter.com/jarodk
» on 05.04.09 @ 12:15 PM
After all of this discussion I am going to agree that the professor should be entitled to express a viewpoint, (notice I did not say HIS viewpoint) however if the intent is really to “provoke thought” then the opposing viewpoint should be presented as well with equal credibility and bias, otherwise it is nothing but one sided indoctrination. The students should be encouraged to present the other side of the issue rather than insulted and intimidated by the fear of poor grades as these professors tend to do.
» on 05.04.09 @ 02:49 PM
Fascinating discussion. Universities have been so full of left wing indoctrinators for decades and whenever the right point this out, they are labelled bigoted racist yada yada yada ad nauseum. But when someone offers an alternative view for discussion, whoa baby, stop the presses, rabid right wing racist anti-semitic MF in the house. Get a life, people. And a basic education in what freedom of speech and reasoned debate mean. If you try to shut off ANY view you are guilty of violating the right to free speech, independent thought, and academic freedom.
» on 05.04.09 @ 02:53 PM
Egad writes, “Finally a snot nosed UCSB professor getting what he asked for.”
and
“Marcel you’re clearly an anti-semitic hateful spiteful name calling immature bigoted whiny prissy far left liberal baby. Who was it that didn’t give you the spanking you deserved when you were 5 years old?”
YIKES! Egad! Good name for you, by the way! Your posts remind me of some advice I got once, and I want to share it with you:
“When the facts are on your side, pound on the facts; when the law is on your side, pound on the law; when neither are on your side, pound on your chest!” Pound away, buddy! But I cringe to think of what your poor chest must look like by now…
Marcel - I sure appreciate your posts. Thanks.
» on 05.05.09 @ 02:18 AM
More chutzpah from the Israel Lobby.
Norman Finkelstein was denied tenure at DePaul University in Chicago for criticizing Israel:
http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2007/6/14/finkelstein_denied_tenure
More recently, the Lobby forced Chas Freeman to withdraw his nomination for National Intelligence Council chairman for the Obama administration:
http://informationclearinghouse.info/article22240.htm
Freeman’s statement in the wake of his withdrawal from the NIC post in which he details the smear tactics of the Israel Lobby was published by the Wall Street Journal:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123672847973688515.html
And now, Professor William Robinson:
http://crimes-of-zion.blogspot.com/2009/04/deja-vu-lobby-takes-aim-at-another.html
The ADL’s role is the Israeli government’s political hitman. Hey, does anyone remember the ADL spy scandal of 1993?
http://www.fpp.co.uk/docs/ADL/ADLspies.html
» on 05.05.09 @ 04:19 AM
I, too, side with the professor against these little bitches.
» on 05.05.09 @ 04:26 AM
John Locke- Free speech is not allowing ANY view. Notably, no holocaust deniers here.
Irony alert:
The LATimes had a letter to the ed yesterday attacking the email’s analogy and the professor by saying “Israelis have never set up ovens to burn Arabs.” etc.
Which is cool. We thank the Israelis for that. Too bad she implied that may be the main difference.
» on 05.05.09 @ 04:34 AM
The professors e-mail was not political but thought provoking. After all he did not take the pictures but merely passed them on as food for thought. He did not even express his opinion but merely passed on what someone else wrote.
He could have added his own statement to the students such as: “Students, read this and form your own opinion.”
Any political message is formed by the subsequent viewer.
And any student could have raised the discussion of the subject matter in class for open discussion of both sides of the issue if had they wanted.
The students act in turning him in was political. There is no question about that!
The student letters, obviously coordinated with each other, and with similar language and tone, were likely not even written by the students but likely both written by the same lawyer with the ADL.
Screw the ADL.
» on 05.05.09 @ 08:29 AM
If you want to screw the ADL then you have to screw the ACLU as well, who would not hesitate to stand up for anyone but Jews when they are offended. But I’m sure you would applaud them in everything they do. That’s the double standard.
» on 05.05.09 @ 01:27 PM
You said: The LATimes had a letter to the ed yesterday attacking the email’s analogy and the professor by saying “Israelis have never set up ovens to burn Arabs.” etc.
Which is cool. We thank the Israelis for that. Too bad she implied that may be the main difference.
Well thats the only difference!
And they might consider setting up ovens if they could get away with it.
» on 05.06.09 @ 06:55 AM
What this tenured professor did is no big deal and is 100% legal.
So there is nothing anybody can do to him but if they mess with his rights to free speech he can and probably will file a $1,000,00 lawsuit against the university and win.
He has already shown that he is not going to just roll over and take it from these Jews. he knows what they are doing is political and with no other intent other to shut people up from criticizing Jews. Well it just ain’t going to work.
He already has stated that he is going going to do what ever is necessary to fight to protect his free speech rights.
So “bring it on” you nasty Jews and see how much love it gets you. This is going to backfire, and all it is going to accomplish is draw even more attention to the the image of Jews behaving just like Nazis. Smooth move.
» on 05.06.09 @ 04:03 PM
We Jews are going to show all of you just who runs America.
We do! So don’t mess with us!
» on 05.21.09 @ 10:08 AM
I believe someone in the comments asked about a copy to the actual email. The Committee to Defend Academic Freedom at UCSB claims to have a copy of the original email posted here:
http://sb4af.wordpress.com/robinson-case/the-original-email-at-issue/
» on 06.22.09 @ 07:43 AM
The truth of the matter is, Israel has committed atrocities and violated human rights. It is on the record with the World Court.
Maybe these two students need to read the works of Norman Finkelstein in order to get a grasp of what anti-semitism is and what it is NOT!
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