Jonathan Lopez has filed a lawsuit against a professor and Los Angeles City College over his treatment after giving a speech on the Christian view of marriage in speech class. Lopez alleges that Professor John Matteson had made it clear that he supported same-sex marriage. He claims that Matteson allegedly attacked him verbally, refused let him complete his speech, effectively called him a “fascist bastard” and refused to give him a grade (telling him to “ask God” for his grade).
Matteson is listed as the co-director of Forensics at the Speech Department.
The complaint in Lopez v. Candaele, (CD CA, filed 2/11/2009) was filed with the support of the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom, which litigates such claims. For a copy of the complaint, click here.
Lopez also alleges that Matteson told him that he would make sure that Lopez was expelled and told his entire class after the November election, “If you voted yes on Proposition 8, you are a fascist bastard.”
For the press release, click here.
For the full story, click here.
“You are never dedicated to something you have complete confidence in. No one is fanatically shouting that the sun is going to rise tomorrow. They know it’s going to rise tomorrow. When people are fanatically dedicated to political or religious faiths or any other kinds of dogmas or goals, it’s always because these dogmas or goals are in doubt.” — Robert Pirsig
Righty-o
So I’m gonna say yes on the ‘acting under color of state law’ issue; thereby making the First and Fourteenth Amendments applicable.
Glad to hear from you Mike. Boy I am sure impressed by a man who graduated from an Ivy leasgue school, but is unable to get thru law school. Most law schools require that a person have know more than 60 units to attend. My attempt at making nice was because I am a good person who has the ability still to spin out of his center, and say some things I am not proud of. Unfortunately nothing I say will strike you right as you don’t seem to be that forgiving or tolerant of other peoples excesses. Just as an aside Mike diplomas and degrees really come a dime a dozen. In fact most of my family have Ph.d’s from either Stanford Northwestern or Uof M, so I don’t impress easily when it comes to others accomplishments either. Curiously you mentioned psychotherapy, did you work in this field or were you unable to pass the state boards to become a licensed psychotherapist. Somehow what you share with me Mike does not ring completely true. But then I suppose you can say anything over the anonymity of the internet especially when using a pseudonym and no one can challenge your credentials.
Righty-o
Getting back on topic…
Los Angeles City College = state action?
I’m gonna venture a guess and say yes.
Then again, one need not have a B.S. in behavioral science & geology to realize that digressing into a rant about the vices v. virtues of the Catholic Church is tantamount to carving one’s own tombstone out of black granite (a/k/a basalt) on this issue.
Your courtesies in connection with this matter are greatly appreciated.
Jon Abbey,
How nice that you recognized your intemperance and want to make nice. Had you also attempted to use your reading skills prior to jumping in and venting your spleen you might have realized that in the fifth post on this thread I chastised the professor with the caveat like Mespo, that the student’s claims may not have been true. Buddha’s post incidentally was the second response but Buddha can more than handle himself and you.
Your invitation to the glories of Catholicism is one I’ll pass on. I come from a people who have been treated rather badly by Catholics since their true inception at the first Council of Nicaea in 325 CE. The Romans who stole Christianity from the true Christians for Constantine’s glory were plundering thugs, with no real culture of their own, but had the ability to borrow and desiccate the culture of others. The murdering of Jews during the Crusades; the expulsion of them from Spain in 1492; the Inquisition; the blood libels; the slanders; Pope Pius XII’s accommodation with Hitler; the Church’s “ratline” after WWII which helped Nazi war criminals escape; the current Pope’s de-excommunicating Shoah deniers and being a member of Hitler youth and finally all the Catholic kids who denounced me as a “Christ Killer” as I was growing up, sort of leaves me cold to the idea of the mission of The Church.
Italian’s since the Renaissance, however, are a different thing. All of my parent’s best friends as I grew up were Italian. They were wonderful warm people, as have been the close Italian friends I have had in my life. We never discuss religion though and they never extolled theirs, nor disparaged mine. I’ve been to St. Patrick’s church on Christmas Eve and to many church services for weddings, christenings, etc. I liked the music, pageantry and ceremony. Similarly, many Catholic friend have come to my Synagogue to celebrate my daughters various right of passage ceremonies. They have also been at my Seder table on Passover. I dislike Catholicism in some of its’ institutional excesses, but if it works for you God bless.
Finally, how nice that you make 6 figures. In my work I was only able to achieve in the low 6 figures in the last two years before becoming disabled. Then too I worked 38 years in jobs based on helping and caring for people and those don’t pay much. You correctly saw that I flunked out of Law School after 2 1/2 years at night. As I’ve stated that was my fault and overconfidence from my 690 Law Boards added to the belief I didn’t have to put as much work as I should into it and so I learned a valuable lesson.
Perhaps though, since you so proudly mention your two BS degrees and upcoming MA, I might refer you to the rest of my education. I’ve been self supporting and an orphan since age 17. Nevertheless I received my BBA on a full tuition scholarship and was admitted to Colleges because my SAT’s placed me in the first percentile, even though I never did homework in high school. I graduated from college having done little homework there also, yet I had a respectable average. My luck ran out in Law School, where as those lawyers on this site will tell you hard work and study are really necessary. I made it through 2 1/2 years though, so that at least gives you a sense of my capabilities.
I received an MS from Columbia University (Ivy League) on another full tuition scholarship, which I won in competition with 24 other students, based on marks after taking nine credits. I graduated with my MS and an A average, since Law School taught me a valuable lesson. I also spent 5 years doing post graduate training as a Psychotherapist, at a State Licensed facility. What was unusual about that was some of it was spent while I was still working on my Masters and they made a very rare exception in taking me in, since it was their policy to only train people who had already received Masters or Doctorates.
I hesitated to write this but the smugness implied by you as you laid out your bona fides needed a detailed response to let your realize that you’ve done nothing special compared to the people who regularly contribute to this site. Since I mentioned the Law School failure, with humility, your attacking me with it was done in the spirit of meanness. I just wanted to inform you that there was much more to the story.
In truth though, I am not as accomplished as most on this site and at times I am in awe of the breadth of their knowledge. However, this site is not examining one’s accomplishments, only the quality and interest of their thought. I’m sure that you’ve achieved a good deal in life, but that really doesn’t
mean you’ve got anything valuable to contribute and frankly an apology such as yours doesn’t absolve truly boorish behavior.
Buddhaman: You stated that you have read so many books, I consider myself a bit of a bibliophile, Tellme about some of the thought provoking books you have read and how they have helped to shape your thinking and value system. Remember I don’t impress easily.
“The most elusive of all virtues is humility, because just about the time you think you are humble you are proud again.”
My name is Luca…
By the way Buddha, unrestrained socialism is not Communism. Communism is socialism that employs violence to support it. As a further wall of control it disallows the ability of its adherents to worship.
Buddha: As time goes on I hope I will be able to get you to disclose a little more about yourself and who you are. Maybe you are like the man behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz. Maybe. As time goes on and if I decide to play on this little blogsite, I will find out your jelly spot, I think I already have it’s your ego. But more will be revealed.
Buddha, clearly you are an intelligent person, with a good grasp of sophistry and you articulate well. You have a seemingly cogent mind, yet your over the top indictment of the Church is painfully obvious. I went to rome last year with my then fiance, it was an awesome experience. The baroque architecture and the historyt were awe-inspiring, you should go it was truly an experience that has left an indelible impression in my mind and heart. My faith was also revitalized and being able to pray at the tomb and sarcophagus of Saint Peter and Paul was the most moving spiritual experience of my life. You were quick to point out the not so wonderful memebers of the church, but you forgot to mention Mother Teresa, Father damien of Molokai and Maximillian Kolbe the polish preiest who was murdered at Aushwitz. Buddha, you should the join the catholic church, even though you think we’re all hypocrites because my friend, there is always room for one more…………..
Buddha: I can see you obviously despise the catholic church and perceive the church and all of it’s followers as either deluded or anti-semites. That is as intelligent as saying all americans are bad because of a handful of criminals or rotten politicians ergo we should scrap democracy because a few wayward politicians got into the woodpile. The most elusive of all virtues is humility, because just about the time you think you are humble you are proud again. To imply that the church is bad because some bad priests have been in it is pretty pathetic and your own bias and objectivity is showing. By the way what is your religious background? You are very open in slamming everyone else. Also, I’m curious don’t you work? I bet you sit at the internet all day massaging your ego and basking in the validation of your bad of pseudo intellectual followers. When you stated you read so many books , name a few. What is your educational background? I have two bachelor of science degrees. One in behavioral science and another in geology. I am two classes away from receiving my MA, which I will be receiving in May. My work pays me close to six figures although I am off with a cold the past few days. I am curious about you and your educational and vocational background.
Buddha:
I am not for Facism and I think what we have now is an oligarchy of the rich and political classes and definetely inimical to freedom and free enterprise. What we have now is actually closer to facism than capitalism. And we are going further down that road if we nationalize the banks. I too agree that the least among us must be taken care of, there is no argument on that point. The difference is mechanism.
And I further agree that some things must be handled by the federal government just because of the logistics involved. But from the track record of the federal government I am not at all convinced that it can do much effectively but collect taxes and increase its size. (There must be some studies about governments and growth).
My beliefe in capitalism may be idealistic, but I shall continue to hold it until such time as we experience true free market capitalism and it fails. From about 1913 on we have had a mixture of socialism and capitalism. It has worked marginally well depending on the amount of freedom the markets have at any given point in history, the more freedom the better (in my mind) it has worked.
Finally I know of saying that they had in the 19th century – “Rags to Riches to Rags in three generations” this in my mind is a testiment to the dynamism of a free market. Today we have a ruling class that perpetuates itself because of a lack of dynamism. These people are currs and need to be expunged from the body politic. You believe by force if necessary, I believe that free markets can do the same thing and with less pain to the masses.
Buddha:
I am a capitalist, communist, socialist, anarchist,or whatever term you like if the system insures the greatest good for the most number of people without sacrificing the rights and prerogatives of all involved. That is a tall order, I know, but if you’re going to be for something, be for something big and beautiful.
Bron,
Let me clarify my stand on capitalism.
It’s fine for 90% of the crap we humans make and sell to each other. Just dandy. No complaints. The things it is not so good for all impact the common good. They are: medical care, energy, arbitrage transactions, water and food safety and education. Those issues are, when abused, a direct threat to not just national security but the very fabric of society. We are the only Western country where a family can be bankrupted for medical bills. Exxon should be nationalized just like the offending predatory banks should be – they’re just blatant criminals at this point with a proven disregard for the common good if it means they make out like bandits. We’ve seen how well industry can police itself in the Poison Peanuts scandal, Enron, etc. And given our resources and tradition, there is no reason EVERY American shouldn’t have the best education on Earth at a reasonable price or for free. Education improves the social base line across the board. Think of it as systemic error reduction.
Yes, I am for limited socialism. The key word there being “limited”. Like the Swedes do it. Unrestrained socialism is communism and we all saw how well that worked out. But unrestrained capitalism is fascism. And there is nothing I hate worse, nothing more deserving of scorn except child molesters, nothing as damaging to the fabric of civilization as a fascist. I think fascism and the unbridled greed it represents is simply evil incarnate. Satan in an Armani and $1000 shoes. Pure ego worship at the expense of humanity and civilization. But I think you already know this. Pure communism and pure capitalism are extremes. Socialism is the middle road. We ALL have a stake in OUR survival, not just the venal half-wits of Wall and K Street. And it’s a road that doesn’t lead to destruction, repression and systemically endorsed evil behaviors. It leads to a better life for all when the weakest among us are uplifted. If that means clamping down on greed and other sociopathic behavior, so be it.
Jon Abbey:
Correct me if i am wrong but i believe most people were against what the teacher did and were siding with the student. I think Mespo may have said he was waiting for all the facts. It could indeed be a case of liberal baiting.
I am probably more conservative than you are, although i do seem to agree with most of the people on this site about individual rights. for the most part most of the people on this site are pretty consistant on the issue of individual rights. they however are against really free markets and they have made their points as to why. I will endeavor to learn more and try at some future point to lay out a cogent argument that will cause them all to have a capitalistic epiphany by virture of this superior argument. Until that time I will continue to learn at the feet of Mespo, MikeS, MikeA and Buddha, and Bobesq (although I think Bob is conservative too, but the Kant thing is perplexing at this point).
You would do well to read what these gentlemen have to say and think about what they have written and examine and offer your own argument as to why they are right or wrong. They offer arguments from the other side of the aisle and have really caused me to think about what I believe, I actually think that because of this I am able to better articulate what I believe and to actually understand why I believe what I believe. I came on this site trying to stick it to the liberals, but they argue better and it will make you think.
Sandman:
I say back to sleep after that oxymoron “good conservative catholic men.” As Buddha said they’re the ones that brought us child abuse by the dozens.
Sure.
Here’s what happened that last time “good conservative catholic men” held the reins.
The Shell Game of “Hide the Child Molester” in wanton disregard for both the teachings of Christ and, oh, what is that thing, oh yeah – THE LAW.
Conspicuous consumption by church officials while parishioners starve – hardly loaves and fishes, but isn’t the Pope dressed nice? And his Holiness’ pad is kickin’!
The suppression of basic human rights for women so they can be kept as servile breeders.
Wanton disregard for immigration law . . . if the illegals are Catholic and willing to work for sub-minimum wages.
Pope Pious X. They have pictures of him hanging with his buddies, the Nazis. ‘Nuff said.
The persecution of Galileo and the torture and execution of Giordano Bruno for having the balls to use their brains to help decode the world around us. Yeah, the Earth not being the center of the solar system is SUCH a threat to Jesus’ teachings of love and compassion. But is was a threat to the power of the RCC’s Earthly power.
The Inquisition. Do I really have to spell that out? The very definition of FUBAR.
The Crusades. Yeah. That was a good idea. Did you think about asking if they minded if you visited before invading or was the temptation of all those spoils just too much to resist?
Not exactly the portrait of Christ like behavior. And hardly a comprehensive list.
Simply, the Catholic Church carries all the moral authority of their cumulative actions. Which is “none”.
You boys want to help Catholicism? Carrying a message of hate and intolerance isn’t the way to do it, but the history of the RCC shows it is often SOP. Opus Dei? It’d be funny if it wasn’t so tragically misguided. The organization of the RCC isn’t about the teachings of Jesus. It never was. It’s about perpetuating the organization. The Catholic Church is just as socially divisive as Fundamentalism, they just have nicer buildings and artwork. Joining is the job of a carpenter. I’ve said it before and it’s still true: Jesus was a carpenter, not a fence. The sooner you figure that out, the sooner you can help turn the Church around.
The only person that made any sense to me on this post was Jon Abby. Thank goodness we have still have a few good conservative catholic men out there.
Buddhaman, Mike, Bron et al, you are a spirirted group of bloggers, I must say. I very seldom blog, yet I felt compelled to jump in the fray, when I saw so many people ready and willing to champion the likes of this LACC professor. I said some outrageous things to you guys, I know none of you and I am feeling a little bummed I went so balistic. It may seem nutty, but I apologize for the insensitive and rather cruel things I said to you guys and(girls?)I don’t know if any females chimed in. Anyways, I said some less than wonderful things and I mean none of them as I don’t know any of you guys and sure don’t want to be despised by all. We all have bad days and have minor melt downs. Keep up the positive thought provoking dialogue, I will offend you no more. And when I say Peace Be with You, I really mean ” Peace Be With You”
My name is Luca, I live on the second floor…
You’re just insane, aren’t you?