Tenure vs. Treason

Submitted by TMK (United States), Nov 13, 2002 at 12:28

Were I to stand on a street corner in Washington, D.C., gather young, impressionable minds around me and then espouse the overthrow of our government and lend aid and comfort to our enemies, I would, theoretically, be committing treason. However, if I moved a few blocks from the Capitol, into a classroom at, say, George Washington University, I would, as commenter Ms. Dachowitz cleverly fathoms, be committing "academic freedom". The difference, other than location, is tenure.

Tenure when used to shield academics from the vagaries of administration politics is somewhat tolerable. Tenure when used as a sword of anti-Americanism to plunge poison into the minds of students is an anathema to the American way. I have lectured at various colleges and universities. I have seen what political correctness hath wrought and I fear the future for our young. Few among the sheep we now graduate will have the fortitude to stand up for the principles of freedom, individualism and thoughtful dissent upon which this great nation was founded. Why is it that leftists and other malcontents have apparently flocked (pun not originally intended) to our colleges and universities? Tenure. Where else can they spew their anti-American venom with impunity? Unfortunately, the venom is powerful, it kills not the flesh of our students but their will to stand up for the guiding light of our Founding Fathers. Look in most university course catalogues today and you will find a slew of Woman's Studies, Black Studies, Gay Studies and "Name your favorite sexual perversion" Studies. Okay, fine, but what would happen if I were to even attempt to teach a course in Man Studies or, gasp, White Studies...I would be labelled a sexist and/or racist and run out of town on a rail, tenure notwithstanding.

Accordingly, I dissent in part from Ms. Dachowitz, it is not academic freedom that is the problem, but, rather, "Leftist Academic Freedom" that is the problem. So, let us push for a true environment of academic freedom where hate from all sides is tolerated; if Farrakhan can speak on campus, so then can David Duke (by way of example). Better yet, let us call treason "treason" and start prosecuting those who would advocate the overthrow of the government and, worse lend aid and comfort to our enemies.

Moreover, let students tape their lectures for proof of the venom and then demand that the opposite side be presented in the same classroom and given the same amount of time. Free debate, even on tough issues, won't kill the spirit; tenure, academic freedom if you will, most assuredly shall. I agree with Daniel Pipes...accountability is the key!!!

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