Your editorial "Hypocrisy reigns as free speech is ignored" was apparently based on some totally false version of the Faculty Senate meeting on Sept. 25.
Pity poor Richard Berthold. He's on the hot seat. Here in New Mexico, he's the guy who everyone loves to hate, the target of our unbridled anger and fury.
I am amused at the letters and comments printed in the Daily Lobo from women speaking out against the injustices of racism, sexism, campus rapes and the alleged sexist comments of a certain faculty member.
Mr. Knutson stated in his letter to the Daily Lobo that he would be forwarding the now well-known comments of Professor Berthold to the U.S. attorney "for investigation and possible prosecution under anti-sedition laws." While the professor's comments may have been badly timed and insensitive, it is impossible to try him for sedition.
With all the opinions being expressed by faculty and students concerning Professor Berthold's lecture material, I feel something should be said from the point of view of someone who attended the lectures.
Rest assured, the government will do anything to protect democracy. It will even sacrifice democracy itself.
I noted your editorializing about the disregard of freedom of speech by those individuals calling for the resignation or dismissal of Professor Berthold. You are correct in your position that the Constitution guarantees Mr. Berthold the right to speak his mind. However, the Constitution also guarantees everyone else the same right.
Regarding the controversy surrounding UNM history professor Richard Berthold, I believe several points need to be addressed.
Richard Berthold has crossed over the line from mildly amusing, vaguely annoying to outright seditionist.
“We hope that these brothers will be the first martyrs in the battle of Islam in this era against the new Jewish and Christian crusader campaign that is led by the Chief Crusader Bush under the banner of the cross,” says the recent fax supposedly sent by Osama bin Laden.
I am writing in response to President Gordon's statement in the Sept. 26 edition of the Daily Lobo, regarding the "principles" the University will use in deciding how to discipline Professor Berthold.
Throughout history, the argument has been made that the appeal to sentiment has been the reigning mode of persuasion when it comes to the populace. While we franchise ourselves as being beasts of rationality, in reality, the majority of our decisions — either in a private or public arena — while shrouded in a thin veil of reason, are products of sentiment.
Regarding Richard Berthold's remarks, I'm absolutely sure that he is still proud of his admiration of the terrorists.
I agree that Professor Berthold has a guaranteed First Amendment right to free speech but, I believe that he has forgotten that with our rights come responsibilities. I do not believe that the classroom while performing his obligations to UNM was an appropriate setting for such a statement. I feel that he has forgotten that his employer has the right to require a level of professionalism and conduct and that he agreed to abide by these rules when he accepted his position.
Regarding the incident with Dr. Berthold, freedom of speech has once again been brought into the spotlight. Many of us, if not all, understand the importance of the right to free speech, but what is free speech?
In response to numerous inquiries as to how the University will deal with the remark made one of its professors about the tragic events of Sept. 11, I want people to know that the University will vigorously pursue this matter through its internal disciplinary procedures.
The remark that Professor Berthold made about the attack on the Pentagon was out of line and insensitive, but that doesn't change the fact that he is still one of the best professors this University has to offer.
Tuesday proved to be a very sad day for UNM, with several students and community leaders calling for the resignation of Professor Richard Berthold and the Faculty Senate and administration distancing themselves from the matter.
Regardless of all the controversy surrounding history professor Richard M. Berthold's backing of the recent terrorist bombing, he taught quite possibly the best less of his 30 years. The real reason why the University and community is outraged is in response to Berthold showing that even a professor of 30 years is still human and still searching for answers.
Anti-war protests, loud-mouthed professors, bullying legislators, and confused students. This is not a flashback to your father's or mother's 1960s, but the reality of campus life in 2001.
Solutions by The State News
