MS. STEWART, I AM THE MOTHER OF A FIREFIGHTER WHO WAS KILLED ON SEPT. 11, 2001 WHILE TRYING TO SAVE THE LIVES OF THE INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO WERE ATTACKED BY THE BARBARIANS THAT INVADED OUR COUNTRY. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE INFORMATION OF YOUR COLLEGE ALLOWING PROF. WARD CHURCHILL TO CONDUCT A TALK OF HIS VIEWS ON THE ATTACKS. HOWEVER, HIS VIEWS SEEM TO BE SO OUTRAGEOUS AND FILLED WITH DERANGED VIEWPOINTS, I WONDER HOW YOU COULD ALLOW SUCH AN ILL-ADVISED PERSON ON CAMPUS! CHURCHILL CLAIMS THE VICTIMS WERE NOT INNOCENT VICTIMS???? HE CLAIMS PEOPLE WORKING AT THE TRADE CENTER WERE AWARE OF THEIR ROLE IN THE MIGHTY ENGINE OF PROFIT, BUT CHOSE TO IGNORE IT!!!! IS HE REFERRING TO THE WINDOW WASHERS??? PERHAPS THE MAINTAINANCE PEOPLE??? THE PEOPLE WHO CLEANED TOILETS???? PERHAPS THE PEOPLE WHO MAINTAINED THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING--THOSE WORKING IN THE BOWELS OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE??? ALL THOSE GLORIOUS JOBS THAT AFFORDED THEM A LUXURIOUS LIFESTYLE??? WHERE DOES HE COME OFF FROM PROFITING ON THE HORROR OF 9-11 BY DISTORTING THE TRUTH AND THEN PARADING AROUND AND FILLING OTHERS WITH HIS DERANGED IDEAS!!! AND TO HAVE PEOPLE OF YOUR POSITION SANCTION HIM...AS A FAMILY MEMBER I CAN TELL YOU, YOU ARE ALL POURING SALT IN A FESTERING WOUND.....A FIREFIGHTERS JOB IS BY NO MEANS PART OF A MIGHTY ENGINE OF PROFIT.. MOST FIREFIGHTERS WORK 2 OR 3 JOBS TO MAINTAIN A MIDDLE INCOME LIFESTYLE, ALWAYS HAVE AND SADLY, ALWAYS WILL....BUT THE POINT IS NOT MONEY AS MR. CHURCHILL SEEMS TO HAVE SAID... THE VICTIMS OF THE TRADE CENTER WERE ALL INNOCENT CIVILIANS, IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE, DOING THEIR DAILY JOBS AND TRYING TO MAINTAIN A PEACEFUL EXISTANCE. ALL THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM BECAUSE OF HATRED AND JEALOUSY. EVIL!!!! AND THE FAMILIES HAVE STRUGGLED FOR THE PAST 3 1/2 YEARS TO TRY TO COME TO GRIPS WITH ALL THIS AND SOMEHOW, GO ON WITH OUR LIVES. SONS, DAUGHTERS, SIBLINGS, SPOUSES, AUNTS AND UNCLES, FRIENDS OR STRANGERS...SO MANY LIVES, SO MANY BROKEN HEARTS. I ASK YOU TO PLEASE RECONSIDER YOUR DECISION ALLOWING THIS PERSON TO CONTINUE ON HIS QUEST TO SPREAD MORE HATRED AND EVIL THOUGHTS....WE NEED TO MEND. WE NEED TO PREACH PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING... THIS WILL NEVER BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE CHURCHILL.

I don't think Hamilton's reputation (or yours) can take much more pounding. What do you think? Do you think your "academic freedom" speech still holds water? Do you think the Kirkland Project is REALLY interested in DIVERSE viewpoints? Do you think W. Churchill was kidding when he said the Trade Tower victims deserved to die? Do you think the Churchill / Rosenberg controversies ENHANCE Hamilton's national standing? You know the answers. So do the right thing: uninvite Churchill, and inquire into what the Kirkland Project is all about.

I am becoming quite concerned with the selections of various speakers that have been invited to a College to which I have entrusted the "care and nuturing" of my daughter....I understand having an open discourse, and I value dialogue and opinions, but sanity must reign in this instance. Would a "Hitler" be invited to speak? As a devout Christian, I wonder if someone like Ravi Zacharias could be invited - a Christian apologetist that is a magnificent speaker and truly engages the minds of intellectuals like your students. I would be happy to contact Rev. Zacharias and make arrangements for an appearance. As of now, I feel that most of the speakers of which I have been aware are "radical" in view - does conservatism have a place as well? For the tuition I'm paying, I hope so.

Freedom of speech is wonderful. Are you inviting neo-Nazi's? Do you have a forum for the Klan? Are you paying Mr. Churchill to attend? Will he accept your capitalist money? If his mother had been in the buildings or on the planes on 9/11 would she have deserved to die? If I were an alumnus of your school you'd never see a dime of my capitalist money.

I just read that your college will allow Ward Churchill to take part on a panel on "Limits of Dissent?". Mr. Churchill wrote in 2001 that he salutes the "gallant sacrifices" of the "combat teams" that struck the Pentagon and World Trade Center, asserting that the people who worked there ("braying . . . into their cell phones") and died that day deserved what they got. This odious nonsensical and insulting opinion should not be given a podium in a respectable institution like Hamilton College. Freedom of speech is not a freedom to smear the memory of 3000 Americans murdered by a vile terrorist group. Imagine how the bereaved families feel knowing that this lunatic will be allowed to speak at your conference. I hope that you will be able to stop this outrage. But I doubt you will.

I am outraged by Hamilton's providing a platform of legitimacy under the guise of free speech to the UC professor who claims my relatives and friends who died on 9/11 deserved to die. Why not invite terrrorists, rapists, pedophiles and other deviants beyond the pale to protect their right of free speech also ? What a disgusting way to elevate the school's profile !

How can you possibly allow such an anti-American idiot such as Ward Churchill to poison the minds of the students of Hamilton College? As a retired marine, I am INSULTED by his ability to spread his stupidity to your esteemed institution of higher learning with your acceptance and encouragement.

There seems to be no other way to send a message to your university except through this link. Please forward our message on to the university president. My wife and I would appreciate the courtesy of a response. We saw the story on television about your paid invitation to the Marxist, anti-American lunatic from Colorado. Usually, these evil people go about their business out of view, protected from the purifying light of the sun by the public's general disinterest in the far-left university culture. After seeing the television story I viewed his vile website. Unfortunately, he appears to be one of that legion of tenured radicals that metastasized throughout the body of college campuses in the backwash of America's defeat of communism. I was repelled by the predictable response from your college once you were found out. In these cases the radical left always puts forth excuses that fall behind the 'free speech" shield. What you have done is not a matter of defending free speech. The tenured left wing radical from Colorado has every right to spew his poison, on any street corner or in any publication that will print him, or on any campus that is willing to debase themselves. But, evil's right to free speech does not mean that it has the right to a tenured platform. What your administrators have done - I think there is no question here - is to offer money to this evil, violently anti-American marxist to spread his corrupting message to young people, while being warmly welcomed and unopposed. All students are free to read his website (I have), or read his tracts. His rights are not restrained. Your decision to give him money is not a matter of free speech; it is a matter of bad judgment. Worse, it is probably the result of agenda-driven activists on your campus who giggled and snickered at their plan to further poison the of goal reasonable discourse. The goal of these fellow-traveler radicals at Hamilton is to teach young people a moral equivalency suggesting no objective distinction between right and wrong. Now, you have been found out. I don't have a list, but I've no doubt that your roster of pro-America paid speakers is short to non-existent. I hope decent people will punish Hamilton College for its betrayal of the true purpose of academic discourse, and for sullying the true meaning of free speech. I urge you to root out the sniveling radical anti-American faculty & administrators and subject their appalling actions to the light of public scorn.

What are you thinking? Ward Churchill as a guest speaker? To say what? Words of inspiration, encouragement, enlightenment, hope, comfort? Poor judgment on your part to capitalize on the unspeakable grief of so many. Is this how you intend to attract new admissions and retain the financial loyalty of alumni? Count me out on both counts!

How could you in these days and times let this gentleman speak at your college. As a person who worked in lower manhattan for years. I am deeply offended that you could let such a person like Mr Kirkland speak such an atrocious opinion about innocent Americans dying on that horrible day. Maybe he would have a different opinion if he talked to those surviving family members who have to live without their loved ones. when our founding fathers gave us free speech in the constitution they never imagined their admendment would be abused like this- in closing everyone with the last name of Hamilton and almost every other last name is embarrased as americans to have a person like Mr Kirkland to be gainfully employed and paid to speak like this- Thank You

I am sad to say that I can no longer support Hamilton because it seems that the college has stopped recognizing the values that I have always thought it represented and espoused. During my years at Hamilton, we had a few controversial speakers, but none so repugnant, improper and downright incorrect as Ward Churchill. I am shocked and dismayed that Ward Churchill has been invited to speak on the Hill. His views, though he is entitled to have them, are not ones that Hamilton should acknowledge, nor pay for. It is discouraging to know that an institution that I have known, loved and supported (via tuition, ACEP interviews, candidate interviews, annual donations, etc.), chooses to stick by a decision that is so flawed, not to mention hurtful to so many. I live in New York, and while I (thankfully) did not know any of those lost in the attack on the World Trade Center well, I know for a fact that none of them (including Art Jones '86, Adam Lewis '87, and Sylvia San Pio Resta '95) could have been equated to Adolph Eichmann by someone who never knew of or met them. By inviting Ward Churchill to speak, Hamilton is discounting the lives of the victims and of their families (some of whom I understand are presently students at Hamilton). It is unconscionable that you are putting your support behind a hate-monger rather than your own students. Lastly, you are doing Hamilton's students, past and present, and all of those connected with them school a great disservice. And, it is with great regret that Hamilton's action in this matter is forcing my hand I will no longer support Hamilton since it clearly is not the institution it once was. I will encourage other classmates to follow suit. I know my monetary contributions may not amount to much; however, my glowing recommendations and help I have offered over the years has undoubtedly been beneficial.

We are appalled and disgusted that a college of hire learning would encourage hate. Your decision to invite Churchill to speak knowing that he will continue his insane tirade of hate towards the victims of 911 is beyond belief. Although no one wants to inhibit free speech, I see no reason to allow this man, as a representative of the academic profession to speak at your college. The fact that he is being paid to do so adds to the outrage. It is my hope that you will reconsider and withdraw your invitation to Churchill.

As a New Yorker who saw first hand the suffering and destruction on 9/11 I am appalled and disgusted that an insane view such as Churchills would be given a forum at your college. Its great to hear opposing views. Whats next, maybe Bin Laden or the KKK? Your institution should be ashamed to even consider him.

Please do not allow Prof. W. Churchill to sully the memory of our dead brothers and sisters. Recind his invitation.

Pass this on to the Dean/President/Chancellor of your college. With the speaking of Ward Churchill and his "opinions" at your school, when it comes time to consider Hamilton for my 3 sons, I will steer them in a different direction. While I believe in "freedom of speech", this ?professor? is WAY over the top. Especially, being so close to the tragedy, the school should be ashamed. I hope the school reconsiders it's misguided decision. This guy needs to climb back under his rock!

I just want someone at your school to know how disgusted I am that under "academic integrity" you are letting Ward Churchill speak at your school. As a teacher, this man has no accrediation on the subject of terrorism or 9/11. Why didn't you get the Unibomber to come speak as well? As a Manhattanite, I am offended and as a human being where are your principles especially since you have students who lost parents attending your school. That says volumes about your institution - as the mother of two high school students, one a junior, the other a sophomore I can assure you we will not be looking at your school.

The following letter was published in 1999 by Dr. J. Brigham of FSU. Note particularly this quote: "Academic scientists occupy a position of public trust and visibility and have a unique forum for presenting their ideas to the public via the classroom, scientific publications, speeches and presentations, and other avenues. With such opportunities come high ethical and moral obligations, it seems to me. It is not acceptable to make unjustified inflammatory, incendiary, or racist statements and then hide behind the cloak of "academic free speech," or to (naively or disingenuously) disclaim any responsibility for the harmful consequences of such irresponsible behavior, or to portray oneself as a scientific martyr." ************* ....Whitney lauded {David}Duke's book {My Awakening -- see McDNL review, 16 iii '99}as an "academically excellent work of social-biological-political history that has the potential to raise tremendous controversy and change the very course of history." He compared Duke to Voltaire, John The Baptist, Socrates, Thomas Aquinas, Isaac Newton, Martin Luther, and Galileo Galilei, among others. Yet, despite Whitney's fulsome paeans to this "remarkable man", it appears to me that Whitney wishes to avoid any responsibility for the social consequences of his actions. He wrote, "As to the meaning he poses for the racial truth he tells, politics is his realm, not mine." Whitney also wrote that "...I may personally disagree with many of his [Duke's] specific suggestions," but gave no specifics. These mild demurrers in no way legitimize Whitney's actions, in my view. Academic scientists occupy a position of public trust and visibility and have a unique forum for presenting their ideas to the public via the classroom, scientific publications, speeches and presentations, and other avenues. With such opportunities come high ethical and moral obligations, it seems to me. It is not acceptable to make unjustified inflammatory, incendiary, or racist statements and then hide behind the cloak of "academic free speech," or to (naively or disingenuously) disclaim any responsibility for the harmful consequences of such irresponsible behavior, or to portray oneself as a scientific martyr. Glayde and I have been harmonious colleagues in this Department for almost 30 years, and it pains me greatly to react so critically on this issue. But I find his actions to be profoundly harmful and embarrassing to our profession, to this university, and to this Psychology Department. (I should note that he did not identify himself as an FSU faculty member in the Foreword, but as a resident of Tallahassee and a former president of the Behavioral Genetics Association.) I hope that, as concerned scientists and citizens, we can react constructively to this contentious issue and erase whatever negative stigma that may otherwise be attached to our Department or the University. Dr. Jack Brigham brigham @psy.fsu.edu Department of Psychology. 9 iv '99. [Published Tallahassee Democrat Online 14 iv '99, 'Endorsement of racist writer is irresponsible, harmful.'] Sir, The decision by Hamilton College to proceed with Ward Churchill's presentation is terrible. ************** Mr Churchill is certainly entitled to his opinions and to "free speech". But free speech does not apply in situations where great harm could occur, for instance yelling "FIRE" in a crowded theatre. Mr Churchill has caused great suffering to many with his views. The pain goes far beyond the families who lost love ones. Millions of Americans continue to feel grief about the tragedy on 9/11. Mr Churchill has a right to speak and you have the right to offer him a venue. However, I strongly resent your decision to PAY him for this event. Because you provide the funding, you are an accomplice in renewing our pain. Please reconsider your decision.

Dear President Stewart, faculty members, and students of Hamilton College: PLEASE take the time to read (and post -- if suitable) a brief commentary I just submitted to the New York Times -- before Ward Churchill's Feb. 3 appearance... Unfortunately, recent fever in Colorado surrounding the Sept. 12, 2001 comments of Colorado University professor Ward Churchill (Some People Push Back: On the Justice Of Roosting Chickens) has sparked my interest enough to suffer through his entire essay. The paper, which reads more like a lovesick teenager's feverish tribute to the psychotic, anti-industrial ramblings of Theodore Kaczynski than the scholarly writings of a college professor, triggered in me a unique sense of queasiness that I thankfully haven't experienced since Sept. 11, 2001. While Mr. Churchill necessarily acknowledges the connection between Iraq and the Sept. 11 attacks (something most similar-minded extremists still refuse to do) in order to support his twisted agenda, his self-righteous, venom-spewing views offend to the core. Asserting that the victims of the twin tower attacks were "little Eichmanns" that got what they deserved, is a terrifically perverse; offensive perspective -- even for someone as sick as Ward Churchill. And while I support Mr. Churchill's right to free speech, his "hate speech" as it was astutely termed by Debra Burlingame, the sister of one 9/11 victim (Rocky Mountain News, Jan. 28, 2005), is worthy of a thorough F.B.I. investigation into his true motives. How honorable of interim CU Chancellor Phil DiStefano to support his racist professor's rhetoric -- while cowering under the battered umbrella of First Amendment protection. To truly support Ward Churchill's anti-capitalist values, we all need to ensure that he is not compensated for them -- he should never receive another evil American dollar for his speaking engagements, and if Mr. Churchill isn't urged to resign, than the personal value of my CU graduate degree has plunged to the depths of worthlessness. Mr. Churchill, please leave CU -- and don't stop there -- keep moving until you've left the country you so adamantly despise. New Yorkers: To those that have had the misfortune of seeing Mr. Churchill's essay, please understand that the great majority of Coloradoans are as sickened by his comments as you. Students and faculty at Hamilton College: If you have not read his essay (it's unfortunately all over the internet), please do so before you waste any time or money seeing Mr. Churchill on Feb. 3, and don't allow him to profit from his "hate speech".

I am not Jewish and I am offended. Will you also invite speakers who wish to discuss the joys of racism, pedophilia, and genocide?

If you allow this vile individual to speak you forever label yourself as the Auschwitz of American Colleges. Will you tell those of Jewish extraction that they must sit in a corner of the auditorium with barbed wire around it. You denigrate yourself, and the families of those who lost loved ones in the WTC. You become as the individual you invite. Despicable.

The only principle that Hamilton College is upholding is the monolithic anti-Americanism prevalent at liberal art schools like Hamilton. Shame on you and your hate speech. At least have the courage to admit that your faculty hates America.

I have heard in the local New York City media of Hamilton College's invitation to Mr. Wade Churchill of the University of Colorado to speak at your institution on 3 February 2005. I am fully supportive of both free speech and academic freedom. However, Mr. Churchill's comments regarding the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 are both hurtful to all those who lost loved ones and spoken by a person who has a philosophical ax to grind with the policies of the country which blind him to the difference between willing collaboration and innocent participation in a system that he individual may or may not agree with. Additionally, you have among your student body family members of 9/11 victims. Your invitation is both unwise and inconsiderate. It would interesting to find out who is paying Mr. Churchill for his appearance and if any student activity funds are being used.

Fly them on up there. Set up a microphone. Give them a nice check for their trouble too. Shame on you for giving a platform for hate such as this. No one is denying this scum his right to spew hate, but your promotion of such evil demonstrates your own lack of professional ethics and personal morality. Shame, shame, shame. You have disgraced both Hamilton's honor and your own.

Shame on your school to allow WARD CHURCHILL I WILL NOT GIVE ANYMORE FUNDS TO YOUR SCHOOL IF YOU ALLOW THIS PERSON TO SPEAK...SHAME

ARE YOU PEOPLE OUT OF YOUR MIND HAVING THIS IDIOT SPEAK AT YOUR COLLEGE????????????????????? MY GOD WAKEUP

I am appalled that you would have Ward Churchill speaking at your institution!!! What is the matter with you!

Your College should be ashamed of itself. I can not believe you people could sink this low, especially when one of the 9/11's victim's son attends your school. I hope you rethink your position.

Your organization has demonstrated poor judgement in the Ward Churchhill issue. Free speech issues may be in play on this, but so is future funding and enrollment at your institution. Oh hope you take it inthe shorts on this one.

HOW CAN YOU PEOPLE HAVE THIS GUY COME IN AS A SPEAKER? UNBELIEVABLE, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED.

WHY ARE YOU HAVING THAT HATEFULL CHURCHHILL SPEAK!!!!

I respectively suggest you cancel Ward Churchill's speaking engagement.

I write to express my dismay at the attacks on Hamilton College for its decision to invite a controversial speaker to campus. I strongly support your courage to stand up to the criticism in a climate that is seeing more and more intimidation and assaults on our fundamental principles of free speech and human rights. Much as we all sympathize with the victims of 911, we need to recognize that in some ways those of us who benefit from the wealth of this society are complicit, just as we are complicit in the causes --- both the root causes and the immediate causes --- of the Middle Eastern turmoil that has ensued. If free speech cannot prevail on a college campus, where can it? Thank you for your courage and your convictions.

Your schools decision on Ward Churchill has been the final factor in my decision NOT to accept your offer of attendance. I want nothing to do with a school who would allow such a person to speak. What's next the American Nazi Party?

What is wrong with you? Why are you allowing this sick, evil man from Colorado to come and urinate on the graves of innocent Americans? SHAME!

You are participating in a cruel hoax constructed by having Ward Churchill at your college next week. . Please cancel this speech and do not have this anti-american on your campus. . Stand up for real freedom of speech that obligates us to have something worth saying.

I am an American, born in the United States and EXTREMELY PROUD OF BEING AN AMERICAN!!! I find your college absolutely disgusting, your education criteria leaves mountains of humanity to be desired. I want you to know that my son is in search of a college and with my very dear friend being from upstate New York we were actually looking there. I can ASSURE YOU that my son will not ever entertain any idea of paying one dime to your college to attend. It would be in the best economic interest to your school to cancel the presentation of Ward Churchill who apparently is anti-American and a complete idiot!

Please don't let the "fruit cake" speak at your college. It's wrong.

My question is to the speaker "what makes his life more valuable that it should be prolonged?" This speaker sickens me.

Would like to comment on the comments of Mr. Churchill regarding the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the planes hijacked by the terrorists. First let me give you a brief profile of one of the little "Eichmanns" as called by Mr. Churchill. My daughter, Jeannine, one of the victims of the World Trade Center attacks, was a single mother raising her son with no monetary support from her divorced husband. Her job was a means to pay her bills and buy the necessities of this life - food, shelter, etc. She was a peace loving, extremely tolerant people-person who would go out of her way to help anyone. Her tie to the "the mighty engine of profits" was a needed JOB and her search for one lead her to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods in tower 2 of the World Trade Center. She was there for 10 months. I realize people would like to express themselves in different ways, but to say that the people who were murdered on September 11, 2001 deserved what they got, is beyond belief. It is downright un-American! As to "mighty engines of profits", does Mr. Churchill feel the same way about baseball and basketball players?? What about movie stars?? These people certainly make their millions. What about them? Should they be bombed?? I am so outraged and sad at the report of the lecture by Mr. Churchill and disappointed that Hamilton College would allow such a person to try to influence the students. God help us all.

I am the wife of [ ... ] who went to work at Fuji Bank the morning of 9/11/01. He was seen on the 70th floor when the plane hit with his friend and colleague. His friend made it out safely. My husband however was on the Safety Evacuation team (Capt.) and was seen going back up to check on his friends on the 80th floor-to help evacuate them. That is where he was when the building collapsed. Perhaps someone should ask Mr. Churchhill how such a self-sacrificing individual deserves to be referred to in such a slanderous way. Would he feel the same way about his own wife or child if they worked in the WTC and were lost because they went to work that day. He should be banned on the grounds of slandering the victims of such a brutal terrorist attack.

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