Dear Ms. Wittmann:
Thank you for sharing your concerns. It is important to understand that the views expressed by biology Professor Paul Myers were expressed on his personal blog and do not reflect those of the University of Minnesota, Morris, or the University of Minnesota system. Initially, there was a link to that personal blog from a University Web site. This link was inconsistent with University Web policy, and per that policy, the link was deactivated.
We pride ourselves on providing a nurturing environment for students of diverse beliefs, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are firmly committed to ensuring a respectful environment for discourse. I hope you will continue to consider the University of Minnesota.
Sincerely,
Robert H. Bruininks
President
Monday, August 11, 2008
Desecration of Catholic Host Response
I wrote to the University of Minnesota president when the P. Z. Myers situation first appeared. I received a response today:
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8 comments:
Yeah, and what happens if a student shows up in his class with a crucifix around his neck? You can't tell me that PZ isn't going to treat him fairly. By the hate speech PZ spews, it is pretty obvious that Catholic students better beware. I wouldn't let my kid anywhere near that university. No matter how much President Bruininks protests.
What a spineless twit.
Now you all know why I never considered attending the U of M - at any of their sites.
Yes, I would say spineless twit says it all. How can he say, "We are firmly committed to ensuring a respectful environment for discourse." when he has a raging bigot on campus instructing children.
Interestingly, I happened to see at Time Drake's website that he is a graduate of UofM in Morris. Though that was in 1989. Tim is a rock-solid Catholic journalist.
Dear Mr. Bruininks:
Thank you for your response. It is important to understand that it is inappropriate to have an instructor who claims to be against all religionists, that ranting like a lunatic with foam coming out of his mouth at those who hold a religion outside of secularism (about 90% of the world claim other religions), and to show disrepect of such a magnitude as to make some Catholics either physically ill or cause others to want to riot (or at least want to give him a good right upper hook) is not valuing diversity. It only values inclusion.
We both know that a conservative, religious student would be kicked out for the same type of speech and actions that this professor is given a shake of the head about. It is for this reason, that I can not send my children or recommend my grandchildren attending your school. As a parent, I hope you understand, it is my grave responsibility to protect my children. You can not nurture children when they must not disclose what their religion is because of what unprofessional response comes from this man who does not understand respecting others' values.
Notice that above I say we would WANT to, not that we would do such things. In respectful society, their is a difference from verbally expressing hatred and actually committing sacrilege. This is a line the professor has crossed. I see no reason for him to cross the line with his behavior in other ways. I fail to see how it is beneficial to your university to retain a professor who can not control his behavior better than an adolescent. I further am well-read enough to understand that extreme hatred of religion has lead to extreme hatred of religious people which equated into the horrors of World War II and other such problems.
If the professor is to be retained because he showed hatred for 1/4 of our nation on his off hours- would you retain him if he committed satanic acts that hurt other people? Where is the line drawn?
It is hard to say Myers blog rants are not associated with the university when his blog is cited in his tenure review as an academic endeavor and he posted 334 times during university hours last semester.
First time I am visiting your blog, Maureen. Love the picture of your kids on the fence.
God Bless!
Good points Chrysd and AVITC. I hope you both cc'd the university president.
I love that picture too!
Suzie, meant to include you in there too. Hope you wrote the university too.
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