E-mails in support of the university's position
Read e-mails opposed to the university's position
I emphatically support the responsibility of academia to provide a forum for a wide range of ideas and concepts, particularly those which may be unpopular with “mainstream” media. Democracy is dependent on a well informed public. Today’s mass media, increasingly dominated by multinational business conglomerates, is less and less likely to present the citizen’s of this country with diverse views and objective reporting.
Views such as those expressed by Kevin Barrett are deserving of public scrutiny, which will simply not happen if we are forced to consume what a conservative dominated mass media is feeding us. Indeed, some of the arguments presented by Scholars for 9/11 are well researched and difficult to dismiss out of hand. You may wish to look at the website http://www.patriotsquestion911.com to find a long list of distinguished government, military, and intelligence officials who support, at the very least, a vigorous reinvestigation of the events surrounding 9/11. Many of these officials support Dr. Barrett’s views.
This nation faces a critical shortage of a precious commodity — the ability to think. Please do not deprive your students of the ideas and concepts needed to develop this precious skill. Thank you for your consideration.
— No hometown listed
I am writing in regards to a news article I read on Comcast.net news, about Professor Kevin Barrett’s syllabus containing a controversial book, “9/11 and American Empire.”
I highly appreciate UW Madison’s support for this educator.
I think it is utterly absurd that the Governor is calling for his firing, without the educated people of this country airing controversial opinions we WOULD be just another USSR or Nazi type country.
Although that would make things much easier for the politicians, it is not a goal I share.
The Comcast article has brought my attention to your University, and I am happy to find out more about UW Madison Wisconsin.
I hope your Organization continues to be a source of interesting and controversial courses.
Please retain Kevin Barrett on your staff.
— No hometown listed
Provost Farrell,
At this point in time, I really have no opinion on Prof. Barrett’s views regarding 11 September, 2001. This is because I don’t feel that all the facts are in, and/or available to the general public. Therefore, I completely support the UW-Madison in the decision to allow Prof. Barrett to teach the class: “Islam: Religion and Culture”. Actually, even if I disagreed with Prof. Barrett’s opinion of the cause of 11 September, 2001, I would support his being allowed to teach the course. That is the whole point of both academic freedom, AND freedom of speech, listed in the first Amendment to our Constitution. Those that feel Prof. Barrett should be disallowed from teaching this class, and/or any others, and/or be fired from his position at the University are people who seem to feel the Constitution is there for their protection, not the protection of those they happen to disagree with. I feel sorry for them. The University’s policy of “...sifting and winnowing...” still stands tall and strong. May it continue to do so forever.
I am proud to be a student of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am proud to have grown up on this campus. I will support the University of Wisconsin-Madison as long as I can.
— Madison, Wis.
Hello,
Today we read an article in the Star Tribune on Kevin Barrett’s assertions about 9-11 and the public/governmental outcry that ensued. As two seniors at UW-Madison, we were delighted to hear that you are allowing him to continue teaching and expressing alternative views. We feel that major decision makers in our current government are exercising much control to keep the public uninformed about their personal motives and corporate sponsorship.
After questioning the current administrations motives for the war in Iraq and seeing the film, Loose Change , we are unwilling to accept the government’s explanation for 9-11 and utilization of it to scare the country into submission. Regardless of our beliefs, we feel it is extremely important that UW-Madison and all educational facilities offer alternative views, explanations, and opinions. This facilitates creative, critical, and free thinking which should always be encouraged in any academic setting. These skills are some of the most important tools we have learned and are still learning from the UW-Madison educational environment.
Although we do not agree with the (Star-Tribune) author’s tone and dissenting opinion on Kevin Barrett’s assertions, we do agree with the author’s closing statement, “To remove (him) from teaching is to lend (him) credence by suggesting we’re afraid (he) may change minds. In fact, the best antidote to error is unbridled, vigorous and searching debate. When that sort of debate occurs, the truth has nothing to fear.”
Thank you for standing up for free speech,
— No hometown given
I don’t see how anyone can label Barrett’s views “extreme” when scientific evidence supports his case fully. The lawmakers only make the government seem more guilty by trying to silence him in the classroom. Everybody needs to wake up to the facts of 9/11 and the fact that our civil liberties are being threatened. Thank God for people who don’t back down from their principles. I commend you, Provost Farrell and the rest of you at UW who stand up for what our country should be.
— No hometown given
Dear Sirs/Madams,
Barrett has EVERY right, even as an educator, to challenge the official version of the events of 9/11 every bit as aggressively as government officials cover-up, misinform, and deceive the American people on any number of issues, including 9/11.
Members of the U.S. Congress and the various State congresses, with few exceptions, are increasingly showing themselves to be tools — willing or unwilling — of a dark agenda. Whether it be voting us into war, voting us out of our civil rights, padding their pockets will we hit record deficits, living large while the people of New Orleans wallow in feces and piss, etc., etc., legislators such as those that are calling for the firing of Barrett are not to be trusted. They are cowards, they are un-American, they are fickle and stand for the worst in politics, which is nothing but their own political survival.
Our country is in the WORST shape I have ever seen in my 50 years. We are in DEEP trouble. Shutting up a guy like Barrett is just another nail in the coffin.
Stand firm, UoW. The good people of this country and the state of Wisconsin will stand by you.
— Reseda, Cal.
Dear UW,
In my view, a UW course devoted solely to exploring the issues around 9/11 would be a wonderful opportunity for students and everyone interested in the welfare on our country.
Given the gravity and importance of this issue it seems like an obvious and important course for teaching critical thinking. Mr. Barrett and Mr. Nass could both be given a chance to speak their points of view.
Please consider having the courage and willingness to bring this most important issue to the classroom and do some “sifting and winnowing”. It will very likely be the best and most valuable class any student could take.
Many thanks for considering this proposal.
— No hometown listed
Once again an individual’s constitutional rights are being threatened in order to further a conservative political agenda and silence a dissenting voice. While politics and money will always be powerful forces in our world, I applaud the University of Wisconsin for protecting the rights of a professor who has both the credentials and experience to teach the subject he was hired to teach.
We are all entitled to our personal opinions. The most basic definition of democracy is to enact the will of the majority while PROTECTING THE VOICE OF THE MINORITY, however unpopular such voices may be. Hats off to Mr. Farrell for not cowering to those whose goals are to silence and intimidate the voice of the minority while furthering their own biased agenda.
— Chicago
After reviewing the “opposition” sections of the site, I see the same basic concerns over and over again — essentially, that someone in a position of academic “authority” is providing a point of view that differs from their own acceptance of... another point of view. This is a non-issue. The fact that deviation from arbitrary political orthodoxy — which is difficult to establish in academically acceptable terms for a lack of information — even suggests that the ‘opposition’ have legitimate concerns speaks to exactly how myopic a position they speak from: the credibility of the university, it’s apparent ‘disgrace’ and so on. There’s not a single bit of meat on this bone, anywhere.
Perhaps the University’s job, rather than to coo about “legitimate concerns,” is to point out the University’s job: to expose people to new and occasionally controversial ideas. Everything taken for granted today was, at one time or another, controversial, dangerous, or “crazy.” Whether its Martin Luther or Ward Churchill — controversy stimulates debate, discussion, and promotes an interest in the topic area — not just the teacher.
It is absolutely essential, especially in times like these, that teachers live with no fear of ideology or official doctrine when they address their areas of expertise and inquiry. That Kevin Barrett happens to parenthetically address a hot-button issue with which a lot of our fellow citizens are still confused and enraged is no reason for the University to step back from a full commitment to academic freedom for a fellow traveller — damn the torpedos, full speed ahead. The state motto is, “Forward,” right? Prove it.
— Madison
Thank you, University of Wisconsin, for your support of Kevin Barrett and your stand against those who would further trample the Constitution. And thank you for, intentionally or not, invigorating a national discussion of the 9/11 Cover-up. The UW’s tradition of open-mindedness is what attracted me 18 years ago and is a never-ending source of pride whenever evidence, such as the Barrett controversy, reminds us that the tradition still thrives.
If, in part due to this situation, the American people are compelled to take off their blinders and “sift and winnow” through the evidence to decipher the truth behind the incidents of September 11, 2001, the UW will have again performed an important public service by contributing to the process of enlightenment. One can only hope that action will follow and justice will prevail.
— Clermont, Fla.