Minnesota Professor Ousted After Tearing Down McCain Sign

St. Olaf in Northfield, Minnesota Professor Philip Busse has resigned under pressure after he recounted in an article on Huffington Post how he tore down a McCain campaign sign. He is now only only out of a job but he is charged with misdemeanor theft.

St. Olaf spokesman David Gonnerman issued the following statement Monday afternoon: “The St. Olaf College administration first learned of Phil Busse’s self-admitted theft and destruction of campaign signs on the morning of Oct. 31 as a result of his posting on the Internet. The St. Olaf administration immediately referred the matter to local law enforcement authorities and commenced an investigation of its own. Mr. Busse has tendered his resignation and is no longer affiliated with St. Olaf College.”

This is a remarkably offensive act, particularly for an educator. We are supposed to be fostering political and philosophical debate — not acting like authoritarian thugs. It is a terrible lesson for students and a betrayal of a core academic value of pluralistic and tolerant dialogue.

He was listed as a visiting professor at St Olaf College and the Director for the Northwest Institute for Social Change.

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