Columbia University Professor says he'd like to see a million Mogadishus

[Queasy]

@sshole

Radicals Speak Out At Columbia 'Teach-In'
By Ron Howell
Staff Writer

March 27, 2003, 7:29 PM EST


At an anti-war "teach-in" this week, a Columbia University professor called for the defeat of American forces in Iraq and said he would like to see "a million Mogadishus" -- a reference to the Somali city where American soldiers were ambushed, with 18 killed, in 1993.

"The only true heroes are those who find ways that help defeat the U.S. military," Nicholas De Genova, assistant professor of anthropology at Columbia University told the audience at Low Library Wednesday night. "I personally would like to see a million Mogadishus."

The crowd was largely silent at the remark. They loudly applauded De Genova later when he said, "If we really believe that this war is criminal ... then we have to believe in the victory of the Iraqi people and the defeat of the U.S. war machine."

At least two of the speakers who followed De Genova distanced themselves from his comments. One of them was teach-in organizer Eric Foner, a history professor, who disagreed with De Genova's assertion that Americans who called themselves "patriots" also were white supremacists.

In a telephone interview Thursday, Foner went further in his criticism, calling De Genova's statements "idiotic."

"I thought that was completely uncalled for," Foner said, referring to De Genova's allusion to the Mogadishu ambush and firefight, portrayed in the film "Black Hawk Down" and known for the graphic image of a slain American soldier being dragged through the streets. "We do not desire the deaths of American soldiers."

Foner said that because of the university's tradition of freedom of speech, it was unlikely De Genova would suffer professionally in any way because of what he said.

"A person's politics have no impact on their employment status here, whether they are promoted, whether they are fired or whether they get tenure," Foner said.

Foner said he did not know whether De Genova had tenure. De Genova was not available Thursday for an interview.

More than 3,000 students and faculty attended the Wednesday teach-in, which lasted from 6 p.m. until about midnight, and featured more than two dozen professors and other scholars.

The applause at De Genova's call for the defeat of U.S.-led forces in Iraq reflected widespread frustration at the inability to reverse President George W. Bush's Middle East policies, Foner said.

"A kind of flamboyant statement like that will get an applause in the heat of the moment," the history professor said.

By turns, the speakers Wednesday night said the Bush administration's actions in Iraq were bullying, illegal, deceitful, corrupt and murderous.

Some argued that Bush administration officials had ties to companies that stand to profit from the war.

Using a reference to Nazi Germany, a history professor, Barbara J. Fields, said like-minded Americans should vigorously oppose Bush.

"The 'good Germans' of the Nazi era were the few who said, 'No,'" Fields declared.

 

[conjur]

There's potential for a case of treason against De Genova.

 

[rudder]

what an asshat, a million mogadishus would equal about 1,000,000,000 dead somolians.

 

[drewshin]

Originally posted by: conjur
There's potential for a case of treason against De Genova.

i think there's a better case for treason against bush.

 

[dahunan]

Originally posted by: drewshin

Originally posted by: conjur
There's potential for a case of treason against De Genova.

i think there's a better case for treason against bush.

So, are you defending/agreeing with the Professor?

 

[shiner]

Originally posted by: drewshin

Originally posted by: conjur
There's potential for a case of treason against De Genova.

i think there's a better case for treason against bush.

Umm hmmm.......forget to take your medication today?

 

[jjones]

I'd like to see the first of his million Mogadishus start in his living room; he and his family can play the part of the Somalians.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: rudder
what an asshat, a million mogadishus would equal about 1,000,000,000 dead somolians.

Yes, you wonder how he became an assistant professor at Columbia we he can't do simple math.


God, I'm glad I went to a business university and not one of these brainwashing liberal arts colleges.

 

[TheNinja]

Maybe he really is pro-war and tricked all the hippies there into applauding for "a million Mogadishus" b/c as mentioned earlier like 1300 to 18 deaths is a pretty good ratio for us. Ya, that's it, he tricked everyone with his enormously large brain and intelligence.....what a moron!! And this comment, "The only true heroes are those who find ways that help defeat the U.S. military", he is basically hopinng that our American soldiers get killed and that Iraq defeats us. This guy should seriously be sent to Iraq and be raped by Saddam and his men. He said some of the most anti-American things I've ever heard. IS there any way to contect the college or venue in which this "teach-in" went on?!?

 

[Dangermouse33]

What a dumbass. He needs to be put on trial for treason.

 

[Dangermouse33]

Originally posted by: drewshin

Originally posted by: conjur
There's potential for a case of treason against De Genova.

i think there's a better case for treason against bush.

Okay there Mr. Dumbass. At least say something to back that up.

 

[Stark]

I never thought anyone would watch Blackhawk Down and root against the Americans... guess I was wrong.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: drewshin

Originally posted by: conjur
There's potential for a case of treason against De Genova.

i think there's a better case for treason against bush.

proof? Oh wait, you have no, just like every other one of your posts. Everything you write is complete nonsense and is NEVER backed up.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I think there is no case for treason against anyone. People can and do say the damndest things. Anyone following OT threads knows that, and with all the hits on this site, we are probably more widely known than this prof. as odd as that sounds, at least until he made the news. True, he has a position of responsibility, and I think that his comments define the irresponsible, but I call asshat on him. That should shut him up

 

[shiner]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
I think there is no case for treason against anyone. People can and do say the damndest things. Anyone following OT threads knows that, and with all the hits on this site, we are probably more widely known than this prof. as odd as that sounds, at least until he made the news. True, he has a position of responsibility, and I think that his comments define the irresponsible, but I call asshat on him. That should shut him up

Are you sure you want to call asshat on him? That's a level of escalation not normally reached until you have at least declared shenanigans first.

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: drewshin

Originally posted by: conjur
There's potential for a case of treason against De Genova.

i think there's a better case for treason against bush.

You, sir, are a jerk. :|

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: shinerburke

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
I think there is no case for treason against anyone. People can and do say the damndest things. Anyone following OT threads knows that, and with all the hits on this site, we are probably more widely known than this prof. as odd as that sounds, at least until he made the news. True, he has a position of responsibility, and I think that his comments define the irresponsible, but I call asshat on him. That should shut him up

Are you sure you want to call asshat on him? That's a level of escalation not normally reached until you have at least declared shenanigans first.

Ok, then provisional asshat pending certification by the graduate commitee of asshats.

 

[Triumph]

I absolutely hate this man and his anti-American ideals, but calling for charges of treason is just plain retarded. It's called the 1st amendment, you McCarthians.

 

[flexy]

Originally posted by: Triumph
I absolutely hate this man and his anti-American ideals, but calling for charges of treason is just plain retarded. It's called the 1st amendment, you McCarthians.

It's a LITTLE bit different whether i state a opinion privately or MISUSE given 'power' (by him being a professor/teacher etc...) and try to impose this opinion on 3000 students !!!

HITLER actually did exactly this..he tried to spread HIS opinion (eg. about jews) to millions of Germans - in the ultimate power position, as a politican, as leader of a country !

So..what about the 1st ammendment in such a situation ?? I do NOT THINK it's ok some idiotic professor telling thousands of students he wishes many, many americans would die/be defeated....and in this case i dont give a d*mn about the 1st amendment....what would be the next step ? Defending the right with 'we have a 1st amendment' while shooting at anyone who oposes a certain opinion ????" Get serious !!!!!!!!!!!

Edit:

Oh..it's an 'anti-war' teach in...OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.....then it's obviously ok to wish the death to thousands of Americans.....tsk tsk...can it get any more bizarre ?????? (I mean...people applauded him later......)

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

So the professor is an asshole, BFD

lucky for some of you that the US lets you be an asshole if you want

 

[yllus]

I really hope this was just a really idiotic statement made in the heat of moment. How could you watch Black Hawk Down and say something like that? I got teary-eyed myself and I'm not even American!

 

[Bite]

I understand he's leaving on sabbatical -- some university in Iraq wants him....

 

[ebloom]

This dip is a walking argument for sterilization :disgust:

 

[seawolf21]

Originally posted by: Stark
I never thought anyone would watch Blackhawk Down and root against the Americans... guess I was wrong.

I bet Somalians did.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

mongadishu was a military victory, but a public relations nightmare......yeah have a mongadishu, US will still win.....

he's a dick no matter what though