Politics from the Palouse to Puget Sound

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Professor David Leonard's "Apology"



There is an open letter up on Cougster from CES professor David Leonard in which he "apologizes" for his behavior.

Reactions, CRs?

12 comments:

Paul E. Zimmerman said...

In one word, I can summarize Leonard's "apology": crap.

His "apology" looks just like a Kerry "apology," not strictly an "I screwed up and I apologize" statement, but a "I'm sorry that you can't understand what I really mean" style "apology."

He is trying, in characteristic leftist style, to turn this into yet another indictment of the people he attempted to victimize with his position. If the camera really made him feel all that uncomfortable, then he should have just walked away. This lame excuse that he thought he would need the cameraman's ID for a formal complaint later is absurd - he did not ask for the ID for that purpose, he just started demanding it, then he stalked off when he couldn't (rightly) get it from the student. Considering also that the ID outburst was prompted by him getting caught on film attempting to put words in the mouth of the CR with whom he was speaking, it's obvious that he was having a tantrum and attempting to abuse his power as WSU faculty. This citation of the WAC regarding proper orders from faculty et al. is fallacious, too, for the above stated reason: Leonard's barked orders did not include the purpose he is claiming now. The evidence shows that it was an arrogant attempt at intimidation to silence a political view not his own.

As for Leonard's claim about threats against him and his family, while it would indeed be sad and unjust if it were true, I have a hard time believing that; I expect to see police reports appear verifying that information. Otherwise, I'm moved to say that I suspect Leonard is creating false drama to, once again, make the aggressor out to be the victim.

Scotty said...

After watching the video and how he asked for the ID card, and more importantly how smug he looked while doing it, is what makes me think it was not as innocent as he is trying to make it.

Unknown said...

That's my take also, Paul.

And I'm sure Leonard's "apology" will be received about as well as Kerry's.

Patrick said...

Apology? He abused his position of power to browbeat the student filming his shenanigans. My impression from the video is that he was intentionally being malicious and seeking to intimidate.

At the bare minimum, he should be censured or admonished for his misbehavior by the university administration. He can try as hard as he wants to paint himself as the victim, but it should be as clear as day to anyone watching what took place, that he is the one in the wrong.

Anonymous said...

The professor asked that he not be recorded and that that recording not be used. Based on Washington State's two party consent law, the student didn't have permission to record him. Period. Furthermore, in posting the video online, the author of the video is breaking the law.

Unknown said...

You;re absolutely wrong Spokane86:

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/tools/story_pf.asp?ID=122136

That law only applies to private conversations.

Satanic Mechanic said...

Last time I looked, it was a public demonstration in a public place, so it was legal to film him and the other rabble-rousers that showed up to cause trouble for the CR's.

As for the apology- It was a long-winded garbage apology. It was empty and with conditions. He should of apologized in the begining of his letter, not try to justify his actions.

The Red Knight (aka, Dr. Know) said...

Now, now everyone. We shouldn't be blaming Professor Leonard for all of this. He's a victim of liberal indoctrination, in which people are encouraged to use emotion rather than rationality. Seeing that his attempts at spreading his philosophy failed, Prof. Leonard responded with the only means his poisoned instincts new how: with anger and threats, like a cornored animal. It's sad, really.

Victoria Dehlbom said...

This amounts to what I'm sure he considers a "teachable moment." I will call him a liar and say that he went out to provoke those students.

Anonymous said...

Having seen the video, I just had to check into his background. You should really go to his department's web site and check out his info. It's very enlightening.

Uncle Bubba said...

We've all hear this before. I did it but you made me do it.

If that was an apology I'll eat my hat.

Anonymous said...

The man he talks about in the video playing to the camera is my best friend and he doesn't know what dave is talking about with playing to the camera. I watched the video again and my friend doesn't ever look at the camera through the whole 9 minutes!!! His katrina comment he looked at the whole audiance not the camera man. The camera man kept Dave in check. dave knew what he was doing look at him smirk at the camera. He sure looks like someone trying to enforce a rule. The question no one has asked, is why did he not applogize to the CR's. He applogized on a blog essentially. No letter was ever sent to the CR's to my knowledge. What a joke!!! that is not an applogizy, that is him trying to save his ass. He is not sorry for his actions at all. Both him and streamas think if they play the race card enough they'll win by descrediting the CR's