Red Guards With An Academic Face? The Persecution of Mike Adams

Mike first made national headlines not long after 9/11, when he landed himself in some very hot water for daring to respond to a student’s e-mailed criticism of U.S. foreign policy...he forwarded it with a note that is worth reproducing in full:
"I will certainly forward this to others and I hope they will respond. My response will be brief as your “statement” is undeserving of serious consideration. Your claimed interest in promoting rational discussion is dishonest. It is an intentionally divisive diatribe. The Constitution protects your speech just as it has protected bigoted, unintelligent, and immature speech for many years. But, remember, when you exercise your rights you open yourself up to criticism that is protected by the same principles. I sincerely hope that your bad speech serves as a catalyst for better speech by others."
The student...threatened to sue. UNCW, Adams's university, launched a chilling investigation of Mike, including prying into his e-mails. In the wake of that imbroglio, Jonathan Garthwaite, the editor of Townhall.com, offered Mike a regular column on his very well-read site..He writes weekly or more, detailing the incredible political correctness emanating from his campus and others...His columns are funny, biting, and (not surprisingly) a big hit on Townhall...they are not such a hit among his colleagues. UNCW denied Mike a promotion to full professor last week, without explanation.Mike Adams, Campus Heretic, Charles Mitchell, Frontpagemag.com, 9/22/2006

If you read Mike Adams regularly on Townhall.com, you know he's feisty, is unashamed to be both a Christian and a demanding scholar, and that he doesn't hesitate to share his views. This is anathema to good, sophisticated Leftists, who tend to hide their true opinions behind elaborate rationales. This kind of Red Guard, unlike his or her counterpart in China 30-40 years ago, doesn't use bats, guns, and gangs to enforce its political views; instead, it uses shunning and denial of promotion. It is sometimes easier to recover from a physical assault than from either. Mike Adams, keep fightin'.

Luther