We have another example of a teacher being disciplined for an act of free speech in his private time. I have previously written about the increasing scrutiny given public school teachers in their use of social media sites. University of Kansas Associate Professor of Journalism David Guth has been placed on administrative leave after posting an anti-NRA tweet following the recent Navy Yard shootings that killed 12 people. Guth tweeted” “blood is on the hands of the #NRA. Next time, let it be YOUR sons and daughters. Shame on you. May God damn you.”
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little issued the following statement after Guth was placed on administrative leave:
“In order to prevent disruptions to the learning environment for students, the School of Journalism and the university, I have directed Provost Jeffrey Vitter to place Associate Professor Guth on indefinite administrative leave pending a review of the entire situation. Professor Guth’s classes will be taught by other faculty members.”
While the statement is framed in terms of avoidance “disruptions,” it does not appear to be at the request of Guth. Free speech is often limited in the name of maintaining order and avoiding disruptions. Once again, I find the statement of Guth to be repulsive in wishing the death of the children of gun rights supporters. Yet, it was clearly a political statement made outside of the university.
Nevertheless, Kansas State Senator Greg Smith wants Guth to be fired for engaging in free speech. He is further promising to oppose any appropriations for the university. That sounds like threatening students in protest of a tweet deemed threatening to children of NRA members. A curious moral high ground.
Smith, a former law enforcement officer, however may feel such a threat particularly acutely. His website cites the kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder of his daughter, Kelsey, as his motivation to continue in public service. I can certainly understand why Guth’s words would be particularly hurtful to Smith. Yet, threatening an entire academic institution for the views of a single faculty member is excessive and wrong-headed.
Likewise, the Kansas State Rifle Association President Patricia Stoneking has pledged that it “will do everything possible to see to the removal of this man . . . He should be fired immediately. His statements are outrageous!. . . Is this who you want teaching your children? I certainly do not want him teaching mine.” Of course, these are not children but college students who are part of an academic community built on the exchange of different ideas and values.
For his part, Guth is not backing down. He is quoted as saying “I don’t apologize for it because I’m not saying in the tweet that I want anybody harmed, and I expanded on it in my blog.”
He is not getting a lot of public support from Ann Brill, dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Brill wrote that “While the First Amendment allows anyone to express an opinion, that privilege is not absolute and must be balanced with the rights of others. That’s vital to civil discourse. Professor Guth’s views do not represent our school and we do not advocate violence directed against any group or individuals.” The reference to the limits of the first amendment by Brill would seem to encourage those who want Guth disciplined by suggesting that this case might fall within those limits. However, this is an expression of a teacher on a matter of great social and political debate. I do not believe that he actually wanted harm to come to NRA family members. He used injudicious and offensive words to convey his passion. Since some of his students are likely gun rights supporters, it was particularly disturbing. However, he was on a social media site expressing his anger in the aftermath of a great tragedy. I do not see how the “limits” of free speech would allow the discipline of a teacher for such a statement in such a circumstance. Notably, it is Brill’s”limits” point that was quoted by the Regents of the University.
Ironically, Guth specializes in public relations according to his resume. He has a M.A. in Journalism, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (1990) and a B.A. in Radio, Television and Speech, University of Maryland at College Park, 1973.
Do you believe that a professor can or should be disciplined for such a posting on a social media site?
To expand on what Bron said. There are far more gun owners, hunters, target shooters, and collectors than NRA members. I don’t have figures, but it is my impression that most liberal and progressive gun owners hate the NRA and its politics. The Liberal Gun Club was formed as a counter to the NRA.
http://www.theliberalgunclub.com/
OS:
“one would hope NRA members/staff can empathize w/ pain/suffering of victims & understand heartbreak.Hopefully it never happens to them”
that is 138 characters including spaces.
Smom:
that is not that much money in the scheme of things.
I am guessing there are far more 2nd amendment and gun advocates than belong to NRA. These people may not even be NRA supporters but they support the right to own weapons.
Politicians need money but they need votes too.
It is, after all, Kansas. After reading the Tweet carefully a couple of times, I come to the conclusion he is not calling for the any harm to come to children. It is awkwardly worded, even badly worded, but my reading is he is trying to ask gun owners how they would feel if it were there kids. Or perhaps, would they feel the same way if their kids were crime victims?
As for David’s contentions regarding intellectual quality, this is a Tweet, for crying out loud. It was not part of his job as a professor. I seriously doubt it is in his lecture notes. Furthermore, even if it is, I say, “So what!” If they don’t like what he has to say, drop the course.
As a journalism professor, my primary problem with him is the difficulty he seems to have expressing ideas clearly. On the other hand, you can only do so much in 140 characters.
There are disturbing trends in censorship as employers monitor social media to an increasing degree. I am told some large employers have departments dedicated to monitoring the online activity of their employees. I do know most law enforcement agencies monitor employees, which is understandable for a different reason. For example, my daughter had to unfriend and block several of her former classmates after they were arrested and brought to the jail.
http://www.businessinsider.com/gun-industry-funds-nra-2013-1 Bron, money.
how come NRA has so much power? they only have 4-6 million members. AARP has more, how come they cant deliver?
AY, the NRA has way more power than Obama at this point, so I would say its less likely.
The NRA feigning outrage. Who’d a thunk it? I’m getting the vapors, too.
The same if he slammed Obama…
That’s ok… A Colorado university fired Someone for bashing bush and the Iraq war…..
To say anything against the NRA is tantamount to a political death…. But I always thought universities were the ultimate free speech zone…..
Would the result be the if he slammed Obama….
Oxa:
maybe it is time for the US to split along philosophical lines and become 2 seperate countries.
As far as I can tell, there is very little common ground and 2 ways of thinking. Neither side will admit the other side has valid points.
Bron wrote: “maybe it is time for the US to split along philosophical lines and become 2 seperate countries.”
The problem is that the central government is too big. The original idea of “united states” was that each state would have powers so people could just live in the State that was philosophically like them. Now the States have lost all their power, so nobody is happy anymore. The federal government is just too big and has too much money. I think 1913 was the turning point, when the federal government gained the power to tax individuals.
Another time, another place:
http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/odd/archives/001247.asp
http://www.secfac.wisc.edu/siftandwinnow.htm
Oxa – controversial teaching is not the same as wishing people’s children killed and calling upon God to damn someone. There is no intellectual value in this kind of hate speech. The university should encourage an intelligent exchange of ideas, especially controversial ideas, but it should not encourage professors to speak hatred toward Constitutionalists.
It’s time for a Constitutional convention. We should do away with the Second Amendment. We could replace it with one that guarantees the right to privacy.
I’m sure many Americans are not interested in allowing the USA continue sliding into more of a 3rd world sheeethole banana Republic then it’s already become. IE: Large areas in/around Chicago, NYNY, Detroit, LA, St Louis, etc…
**Looking at guns in Mexico and at some farmers that take law into their own hands **
http://www.zerohedge.com/contributed/2013-09-23/loking-guns-mexico-and-some-farmers-take-law-their-own-hands
I don’t agree with this guy either, but he has a right to his own opinion.
If the Nazi’s, KKK, & all the rest can speak their mind, this guy has a right to also.
As one member of the “NRA” (there are millions of us), let the guy have his say…
http://www.texasfirearmsfreedom.com/gun-facts/
I don’t actually think that the professor was calling for violence against anyone, and a bit silly and literalist to suggest that he was.
What I do think he was doing was pointing out that it’s typical of the right wing in the US to embrace hateful and oppressive positions right up until they, or a member of their families, are personally affected.
Look at Nancy Reagan’s 180 on stem-cell research, or all the Republicans who have been anti-gay until their son or daughter came out, when suddenly they’ve had an epiphany.
The political right in the US is notable for its failures of empathy. Professor Guth was just using some passionate rhetoric to underscore this tendency.
If the State University system uses his expression of locally unpopular opinion as an excuse to get rid of him, shame on them.
On the other hand, it may help to stem the flood of students nation- and worldwide who curently flock to Kansas for its international reputation for academic excellence. After all, as of this year they actually endorse the teaching of evolution and climate change in their science curriculum.
If employees can be fired for commenting on Trayvon Martin or referencing Muslims, then this seems like sauce for the goose.
my question is how does he know that out of 12 people killed, there wasnt an NRA member or the son, daughter, husband or wife of one?
He has every right to say what he said but the people of Kansas have every right to call for his removal. And/or the alumni can quit giving money until he is removed. It is all free speech. But sometimes you may have to pay a price.
I agree with the professor’s concerns on the disgusting situation with guns in this country. Killing 20 school children could not convince the Congress to pass sensible and reasonable gun restrictions that would not impair the ability to own most guns, so his outrage is understandable. However, I would not have damned the NRA. According to Brill, where does Prof. Guth’s free speech rights begin and end? At the school door? At the county line, or state line? It is amazing that the NRA claims that the 2nd amendment is absolute, while the First Amendment must be limited.
It isn’t “What’s Wrong With Kansas”, it’s “What’s Wrong With Some of the People of the USA?”
Yes, the professor has an absolute “Right” to free speech in this case from the details I read here.
One thing that’s odd here on this blog is that I see people defending his 1st Amendment Right & at the same time they are attacking other’s 2nd Amendment Right.
How is it you want all the “Rights” you enjoy yet can justify trying to take away other’s “Rights”.
Keep in mind I absolutely disagree with the Kansas Professors position.
He doesn’t mention the Navy Yard shooter is almost just like all the rest of these mass murder shooters.
In most every case the shooter is under a doctor’s care & the doc’s are feeding them Mass Murder Suicide pills, aka: SSRI drugs. (Prozac type crap)
And the professor fails to mention the almost a Million times a year in the USA in which guns are used by citizens, lawfully, to defend & stop criminals in the middle of attempting violent crimes.
There’s a mountain of info more along those lines, but that’s enough for now.
Moving along let’s look attempt to see if this Jayhawker is just the latest Commie/Nazi azzhole:
**Ironically, Guth specializes in public relations according to his resume. He has a M.A. in Journalism, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (1990) and a B.A. in Radio, Television and Speech, University of Maryland at College Park, 1973. **
I suggest it appears to me the strong possibility this guy is using “Propaganda” PR skills to full effect along with the school & the local politicians.
Had the school had not put him on leave there wouldn’t be a national story at all.
As it is now, it helps keep the public distracted & arguing the same damn argument over the 2nd that’s been used against both sides of citizens for decades, just as many of the politicians that act to be on one side or the other of the debate.
Enough of that for now, but what about you, has your cheese slide off your cracker, do you think you’re mentally competent?
I posted this video yesterday at:
** Kentucky Psychology Board vs. the First Amendment. Oh My!
Submitted by Charlton Stanley (aka Otteray Scribe), Guest Blogger **
Play the video & pay special attention at the 4:15- 4:40 section.
It points out “”””50%”””” of the kids today have chronic health problems.
Are those video producer’s numbers correct? 50%
Do you think just maybe you should be working to check that out?
Do you think just maybe we’ve got an epidemic?
Do you think that issue might just be a tiny bit more important to the people of this nation then Obama & the politicians using Jayhawker, professional “Propagandist” to drive you, your kids/grandkids like a herd animal to the slaughter house?
Do you think just maybe certain groups inside govt/Wallst are in the middle of a Major Bio-Chemical attack in their latest war to destroy you & yours?
It isn’t Phk’in game those Wallst/DC polecats are playing & you’re not winning unless you realize what they’re up to & do what you can to stop them.
If I didn’t personally know so many families that have already been injured by those DC/Wallst Aholes I would not be writing/speaking like I was in the middle of a War Zone under live fire attack!
Thanks for reading.