Provost To Instructor: Stop Seeking Publicity

Provost to Instructor: Stop Seeking Publicity

http://nbc15.madison.com/news/headlines/3485607.html

3:03 PM Aug 3, 2006

MADISON, Wis. (AP) _ The provost at UW-Madison has warned a controversial instructor to stop seeking publicity for his opinion that the U.S. government orchestrated the September 11 terrorist attacks.

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press through an open records request, Provost Patrick Farrell also warns Kevin Barrett to stop associating himself with UW-Madison when he's promoting his controversial views.

Farrell tells Barrett that if he doesn't do what he's been asked, he would reconsider his decision to allow him to teach a course on Islam this fall.

The letter was sent ten days after Farrell decided to hire Barrett as a part-time instructor, despite objections. Sixty-one state legislators have denounced the hiring.

Farrell reviewed of Barrett's course plans after he gave a radio interview in which he said he planned to teach students his views on September 11. The provost concluded Barrett was qualified to teach and he could present his ideas during one week of the course, as long as students were allowed to challenge them.

But the letter shows Farrell became frustrated with how Barrett handled himself during the media frenzy that followed.

Dear Mr. Farrell,

First, I would like to say thank you for standing up to the 61 State Representatives who have decided to try and make an example of Kevin Barrett. That, in and of itself, takes a lot of courage on your part, and don't think it has gone unnoticed.

The reason I'm writing you today is because the Associated Press released an article entitled, "Provost To Instructor: Stop Seeking Publicity." It states that you have asked Dr. Barrett to "stop associating himself with UW-Madison when he's promoting his controversial views."

I don't know if you have watched his appearances or not, but the "theme" presented by the media has been, "Should this Professor be teaching your children?" It was the media who decided to focus on Dr. Barrett's association with UW-Madison. Not Dr. Barrett.

There are a great many Americans who feel the unanswered questions of 9/11 must be answered. Wars are being fought because of that day. Our Civil Liberties are disappearing because of that day. This country is going into bankruptcy because of that day.

It is our duty as citizens of these United States to question that day. If not, then we blindly go into a future that doesn't appear to be one of peace, prosperity, and happiness. That is unacceptable.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Jon Gold

Great letter, as usual.

I'll send one too.

Thanks.