Professor put on leave after tweeting about shooting

I see this situation as a very clear violation of academic freedom.  Obviously, my unyielding support for gun rights, the sensible use of firearms, and (despite some occasional disagreements) the NRA, couldn't be stronger. But I think this professor at the University of Kansas  is getting "shafted" badly.  I don't like at all that which he apparently has said about the NRA -- I see him as dead wrong on that -- but academic freedom stands very, very high on my priority list.  And this kind of attack puts every prof in Kansas and even students at risk.  And this sadly holds true even beyond the Sunflower State.
I have very strong ties with Kansas on the maternal side of my own family.  Direct ancestors came into Kansas Territory a very long time ago. I have lots of relatives in the state.  The "old guard" kin were much "into" Populism and socialism; those relatives of today are Democrats and moderate Republicans.  

Kansas had gotten really strange in some significant ways.  Evolution has become a major issue.  Hopefully, the state will return to its earlier free-thinking traditions  which, at many points and junctures, have contributed in very positive fashion to the health of this country.

(H)
Professor put on leave after tweeting about shooting
 
© Twitter: David Guth

 15 hr ago | Roxana Hegeman of Associated Press 
David W. Guth was put on administrative leave after he tweeted about the Navy Yard shootings, saying "blood is on the hands" of the National Rifle Association. 

LAWRENCE, Kan. - A University of Kansas journalism professor was placed on indefinite administrative leave Friday for a tweet he wrote about the Navy Yard shootings which said, "blood is on the hands of the #NRA. Next time, let it be YOUR sons and daughters."

David W. Guth, associate professor of journalism, made the comment on Twitter after Monday's shootings in Washington, D.C., in which 13 people died, including the gunman. The tweet didn't attract much attention until Campus Reform.org posted a story Thursday, sparking a social media backlash that's spilled over into some state lawmakers calling for his dismissal.

Related: 12 killed in Navy Yard shooting 

The university also responded, as Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little issued a statement Friday saying that "in order to prevent disruptions to the learning environment," Guth was placed on indefinite administrative leave pending a review. His classes will be taught by other faculty members.

Guth, who on Thursday told The Associated Press in a phone interview that his tweet "got a conversation going - that was exactly what I wanted to do," agreed Friday that the university's action was appropriate in light of email threats he and others at the university had received.

"It is in the best interests and peace of mind of our students that I remove myself from the situation and let cooler heads prevail," Guth wrote. "I know what I meant. Unfortunately, this is a topic that generates more heat than light."

He may have gotten more than he bargained for, however.

Kansas Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce, R-Hutchinson, said Thursday he was "appalled" by the tweet and called for the university to remove from Guth from the faculty.

"Wishing death and damnation upon parents and their children is reprehensible and not befitting an employee of such a distinguished university," Bruce said in an emailed statement.

Rep. Brett Hildabrand, a Shawnee Republican, urged via Twitter that the university to take "appropriate action" against Guth.

Bruce has received $2,500 in campaign contributions from the NRA since 2004, including $750 in 2012, according to the online database maintained by the state Governmental Ethics Commission. Hildabrand received a $500 contribution last year from the Kansas State Rifle Association.

Related: Images from the Navy Yard shooting

Members of Kansas' faculty also distanced themselves from Guth's viewpoint.

"While the First Amendment allows anyone to express an opinion, that privilege is not absolute and must be balanced with the rights of others. That's vital to civil discourse," Ann Brill, dean of the journalism school, said in a statement. "Professor Guth's views do not represent our school and we do not advocate violence against any group or individuals."

The Kansas State Rifle Association has called his statements "outrageous," and president Patricia Stoneking said in a news release her group will "do everything possible" to see to his removal.

NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam added Friday: "This is hate speech. It is disgusting and deplorable. It has no place in our society."

Guth said Thursday that gun rights advocates had orchestrated a social media campaign against him.

"I respect their First Amendment rights and it would be nice if they would respect mine," Guth said. "And, by the way, I even respect their Second Amendment rights.

"Frankly, my plan is to be the calm in the center of the storm," Guth said.

Associated Press writer John Hanna in Topeka, Kan., contributed to this report.

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HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR/JOHN R SALTER JR] Mi'kmaq / 
St. Francis Abenaki / St. Regis Mohawk 
Member, National Writers Union AFL-CIO

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