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September 08, 2006

UNH Prof's Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom Attacked by Career Politician

Does Judd Gregg have any concept of what is supposed to distinguish the US from many other countries? That’s a rhetorical question, of course. Mr. Gregg’s statements in the Union Leader’s August 27, 2006 article about UNH Professor Woodward show that Gregg, a second-generation career politician, needs a course in Constitutional law. Gregg’s feigned hysteria over Woodward’s belief about the perpetrators of 9/11 only proves that Gregg has no respect for free speech and academic freedom. How ironic that it is Gregg who comes far closer to the unprotected act of yelling “FIRE” in a crowded movie theater and causing a panic than Woodward.

I’ve personally experienced Mr. Gregg’s shrill responses to questioning the Bush administration. At a Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce meeting in early 2005, I mentioned that no weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq. He became very red in the face and snapped, “tell that to the Kurds”, as if the gassing had just happened right before we invaded in 2003. In fact, back in 1988, when the gassing took place, Gregg didn’t stand up for the Kurds at all. He was a freshman Congressman at the time, and he helped kill a bill to bring US sanctions against Saddam for gassing the Kurds. The Reagan administration wanted the bill killed, because they were still cozy with Saddam. Judd followed the neoconservative agenda one way as a freshman Congressman, he followed the next way he was told to during the run-up to the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003, and he continues to follow today. No questions asked.

Gregg refers to Woodward’s statements as “inexcusable”. Fostering intolerance is what’s inexcusable. People who ignore history are destined to repeat it. Part of the reason that Nazi Germany achieved the power it did is because too many people did exactly what Gregg wants people in NH to do today— go about your business, believe whatever the administration tells you, don’t ask questions.

Challenging ideas are at the heart of learning. Professors and teachers who encourage the widest parameters for thought and open discussion are the most valuable resources that institutions of learning have. If Mr. Gregg is really so concerned about prudent use of taxpayer money, instead of attacking Professor Woodward, why isn’t Gregg calling for some of the hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars we put into occupying other countries to be used for health care coverage for all Americans, easing inflated education bills, and subsidizing renewable energy companies instead of oil companies? You’re paid with taxpayer dollars, Mr. Gregg. Why aren’t you working on these crucial issues?

Based on Gregg’s own words, he as a lawmaker apparently needs a reminder that free speech and academic freedom are not freedoms given to the people by the government (though that seems to be the way he would like it). Those freedoms are inalienable rights of the people, and the Constitution protects those rights from fear-mongering autocratic politicians like Gregg who would clearly prefer to take them away.

Posted by Joe Public at September 8, 2006 06:21 PM

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