Thursday, February 26, 2009

Shameless

Didn't I just send a letter to the University of Colorado detailing the obnoxious and threatening behavior of Wartolytes at past CU events as they sought to stifle the free speech of others, and urging CU to at long last make these jokers abide by the the school's own policies (such as they are) for the upcoming Ayers/Churchill meet 'n' agiteet?

That's one long rhetorical question right there, but, yes, I did. Now David "Tin Cup" Lane, Ward Churchill's lawyer, is threatening to sue if CU doesn't waive its $3,000 security fee for the upcoming jerkapalooza. The (sigh) Rocky:
[Lane] said Thursday the fee is exorbitant and an unconstitutional restraint on free speech. . . .
Fu-fu-fu-fu? Spe-ee-ee-ee? Raises a couple of questions, though. Can Wardo's defense be so strapped for cash they can't afford the fee? Or maybe Billy, or even depressed third (organic) banana Derrick Jensen, is suddenly demanding a bigger cut. Heck, maybe they just want a free hand to harass (yet again) those they don't like.

One thing's for sure: it's not about free speech.

Anyway:
CU-Boulder spokesman Bronson Hilliard said it's standard to charge student groups fees to recoup security costs for large events. He said the $3,000 charge is toward the lower end of what the school charges.
And as usual, the Wartzengrupen want special treatment while retaining that magical ability of theirs to ignore or twist CU policy at their convenience.

(h/t, Heidi!)

Update: I'm going to start cutting myself, I swear. The Lancaster New Era:

Anti-terror unit asked to protect Ayers

[Millersville University] asks regional security task force, created after Sept. 11, to guard ex-radical during visit in March. College cites threats. Local officials upset.

Speaking on their behalf, Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman said law enforcement must provide security if the university requests it, "regardless of how we feel about an unrepentant terrorist."

However, he called MU's decision to invite Ayers "a remarkably irresponsible choice" and urged the university to consider alternatives, such as remote video, "which would provide a forum without the public safety risks or costs."
Remote video! CU, take note (and the remoter the better). Lawmakers angry:

State Rep. John Bear, who was informed of the security plan by a local police officer, also teed off on the university. He said he shared the plan with the Lancaster County House Republicans and they also were "appalled."

"The fact that they even asked the anti-terrorism task force to be involved shows you they think this is going to be controversial, maybe even dangerous," he said. "Why would they even hold the event in the first place?" . . .
To transgress?
The university has explained that Ayers' appearance here on March 19 is part of an initiative by the School of Education to revitalize its urban education program for future teachers. Ayers is a recognized authority in the field of urban education. . . .
Oh, lord. Lord, lord, lord. Recognized by Gramscians, faux revolutionaries and clueless do-gooders the world over.
Bear and Stedman criticized MU for thinking about using a public agency and public funds to protect Ayers.

"I just think that it's absolutely wrong for the university to use public funds," said Bear. "The guy's a known terrorist. Using anti-terrorism funds to protect a known terrorist is irresponsible." . . .
Not quite sure that tracks, Mr. Bear.
If MU does pay for the security, she added, the money will come from private funds, as is the $3,000 being used to pay Ayers for his talk.
That number again. Heavy.

(via Don Surber)

Update II: An editorial in the same paper on some knucklehead legislators [Mr. Bear no doubt among them] calling on MU to cancel Ayers because he "offends people in the military." The columnist is a knucklehead too, though, of the free-speech, "let's hear the guy out. Maybe he's got something to say" variety.

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