Killing the Messenger: Ward Churchill’s Sins Against the Empire

[Freedom_from_Chains]

I am not in agreement with all of the author’s perceptions but nonetheless he makes some good points.

By Steven Best



“The gross distortions of what I actually said can only be viewed as an attempt to distract the public from the real issues at hand and to further stifle freedom of speech and academic debate in this country.” -Ward Churchill
Academic free speech and the First Amendment once again are under intense fire in the midst of a political and mass media witch hunt on Ward Churchill, Professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The controversy erupted over objection to Churchill’s participation on a panel at Hamilton College in upstate New York once a controversial essay he published on the Internet the day after 9-11, entitled “Some People Push Back: On the Justice of Roosting Chickens,” was unearthed and transformed into fodder for a lurid media spectacle.

Churchill was tarred and feathered as demands for termination of his tenured position grew to a roar. The attack shifted from the words of his essay to the body of his writings and even to scrutiny of his professed Indian heritage. It immediately became clear that the Right was hunting far larger game than just a radical critic of US imperialism named Ward Churchill. They were exploiting the controversy in an effort to advance their ongoing Culture Wars whereby they seek to demolish free speech rights, liberal and left values, and the academic tenure system which in their view protects an army of crazed radicals corrupting the minds of youth.

Churchill’s essay argued that 9-11 was inevitable blowback in response to US global terrorism and imperialist policies against Islamic nations. Harking back to Malcolm X’s quip that the assassination of President Kennedy was an example of “chickens coming home to roost,” such that leaders of a violent system themselves are victims of violence, Churchill applied the same analogy to the US system as a whole. According to Churchill, 9-11 was the long-delayed but inexorable moment when the US paid a small fraction of the political costs it has incurred in its ruthless assault on nations and peoples around the globe. Churchill emphasized that unless it drastically changes its imperialist policies, the US will be struck again, likely in a bigger and more destructive way.

(cont) http://www.pressaction.com/news/weblog/full_article/best02102005/

[applegrove]

1. You keep saying so - and then this person is at the top of the list again

You keep saying so - and then this person is at the top of the list again. Does Ward deserve more than 3 or 4 threads?

[Freedom_from_Chains]

2. Keep saying what?

I'm not sure I understand your point.

[Inland]

3. Showing perfectly why Ward SHOULD be fired

The writer paraphrases Churchill, taking out all the inflammatory rhetoric and removing the arguments of that the individuals who died in the terrorist attacks were deserving as complicit in the acts of their government or even more removed actors.

All you have to do is take Churchill's points, restate them, and suddenly he is a responsible academic instead of a headline grabbing polemiscist referring to the WTC dead as "little Eichmanns". The writer illustrates perfectly the type of discussion we should want just as Churchill illustrates the sloppy reasoning and namecalling that we shouldn't.

Churchill should be removed or not given auditoriums because intellectually, ethically and morally, he's a lightwight bent on creating heat rather than light. Idiots have a right to speak out, but there isn't any reason to populate our universities with them.

[Village Idiot]

4. You seem to be a little disingenuous...

Freedom of speech is freedom of speech.

Churchill's writing is being so often taken out of context that very little that you read about his works (especially "On the Justice of Roosting Chickens")today is true...but I suppose that when YOU take Churchill's comments out of context, it's OK, right?

"What I said was that the "technocrats of empire" working in the World Trade Center were the equivalent of "little Eichmanns." "

I see neither sloppy reasoning nor name calling here...I see a metaphor...

Sounds a little better when properly expressed...you may not agree with it, but many do, and what's more, they have a RIGHT to do so.

[applegrove]

5. I think Slate said it best - the story is the story not the academic

[Inland]

9. Ward Churchill has every right to grab headlines

with sloppy thinking combined with inflammatory rhetoric. But I hope there would be some way a person with such crappy powers of reasoning and expression would be prevented from being paid to inflict them on students.

Saying that different ideas, properly expressed, sound better is completely wrong. BETTER ideas, properly expressed, ARE better, in the sense you would want an academic to actually think things through.

And Ward didn't use a metaphor. He thought the WTC people were deserving, in an essay that could be written off as a brain fart if nof for the fact he still defends it:

"If there was a better, more effective, or in fact any other way of visiting some penalty befitting their participation upon the little Eichmanns inhabiting the sterile sanctuary of the twin towers, I’d really be interested in hearing about it."

That's not speaking in a metaphor. That is seeing them dead and not being able to think of a better result, and throwing the gratuitous Eichmann reference too.

And it




http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0204-32.htm

[Freedom_from_Chains]

7. the individuals who died in the terrorist attacks were deserving

And that is a wonderful argument, save for the fact he never said that.

[Inland]

8. Oh, yeah? The columist paraphrased. Did I? Read on, McDuff.

"Well, really. Let’s get a grip here, shall we? True enough, they were civilians of a sort.But innocent? Gimme a break..... If there was a better, more effective, or in fact any other way of visiting some penalty befitting their participation upon the little Eichmanns inhabiting the sterile sanctuary of the twin towers, I’d really be interested in hearing about it."

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0204-32.htm

To Ward, the WTC deaths were not only deserved, but the most perfect ending he could think of. "inhabiting the sterile sanctuary of the twin towers." What contempt he has for the poor cubicle dwellers and busboys; what a complete lack of any ethical perspective.

[reorg]

12. now with the busboys and janitors again

How many deaths in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere have been lightly dismissed by the US and their allies as "collateral damage" - very unfortunate, however unavoidable in the greater scheme of things? When they were deliberately targetting civilian infrastructure (a war crime, to boot)? Has any of those responsible even so much as apologised? Hell, the deaths are not even counted.

So - speaking from the perspective of someone perpetrating a counter attack: how could they, with much less sophisticated means, have possibly avoided such "collateral" damage?

Churchill NOWHERE shows contempt for the busboys. He explains why the WTC seemed to be a legitimate target from the perspective of counter attackers: housing the "technocratic corps at the very heart of America's global financial empire – the "mighty engine of profit" to which the military dimension of U.S. policy has always been enslaved" ...

What target do you think the US military would have chosen in their place? An embassy, a broadcast station, a car, a cigarette, an aspirin, or a water treatment plant? Mosques a masse, weddings? I think I have read a lot about such things lately.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

13. When did they stop teaching critical thinking skills in school

Is context a concept that is foreign to you?

I find it very disturbing how easy it is for the right to sell their drivel.

[reorg]

11. the Eichmann quote within its context is a complex metaphor

One must be able and willing to listen, of course, to understand it. And know a thing or two about Eichmann. This entire outrage could have been avoided if some newspaper articles would have taken the time to explain this. Do you really wonder why this wasn't done? Is it Churchill's fault if he is able to give expression to complex thoughts that don't quite properly fit into soundbites?



He was talking about the "technocratic corps at the very heart of America's global financial empire":

"Let's get a grip here, shall we? True enough, they were civilians of a sort. But innocent? Gimme a break. They formed a technocratic corps at the very heart of America's global financial empire – the "mighty engine of profit" to which the military dimension of U.S. policy has always been enslaved – and they did so both willingly and knowingly. Recourse to "ignorance" – a derivative, after all, of the word "ignore" – counts as less than an excuse among this relatively well-educated elite. To the extent that any of them were unaware of the costs and consequences to others of what they were involved in – and in many cases excelling at – it was because of their absolute refusal to see."

Like Eichmann, who fainted when making his very few visits to the death camps, complained with his superiors that there should be a better, less barbaric way to deal with the (so-called) Jewish problem - they (think they) are just crunching numbers while "refusing to see" what they're actually and actively participating in. That is Churchill's point with the Eichmann quote. His critics usually don't even discuss it.


On the evil terrists or where else is evil (includes some number crunching):

"Evil was to be heard in that great American hero "Stormin' Norman" Schwartzkopf's utterly dehumanizing dismissal of their systematic torture and annihilation as mere "collateral damage." Evil, moreover, is a term appropriate to describing the mentality of a public that finds such perspectives and the policies attending them acceptable, or even momentarily tolerable.

Had it not been for these evils, the counterattacks of September 11 would never have occurred. And unless "the world is rid of such evil," to lift a line from George Junior, September 11 may well end up looking like a lark."

...

"As things stand, including the 1993 detonation at the WTC, "Arab terrorists" have responded to the massive and sustained American terror bombing of Iraq with a total of four assaults by explosives inside the US. That's about 1% of the 50,000 bombs the Pentagon announced were rained on Baghdad alone during the Gulf War (...)

With that, they've given Americans a tiny dose of their own medicine.. "

...

"Although there are undoubtedly exceptions, Americans for the most part still don't get it."

http://www.kersplebedeb.com/mystuff/s11/churchill.html


Please explain how this is "sloppy reasoning". Thanks.

He is trying to make somebody listen, you know. Sometimes you need to shout.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

18. Lesson to be learned

"Is it Churchill's fault if he is able to give expression to complex thoughts that don't quite properly fit into soundbites?"

Never present ideas in terms more complicated than simple either or propositions. People won't get it and you run the risk of them turning and devouring you.

This could really be termed the politicians creed.

[dbeach]

6. AIM [American Indian Movement} calls Churchill a "rip-off"

AIM has no confidence in him and denies he is Native American...
I do think that attention on 9/11 can expose some of the disinfo that bushfraud has put out..
also Freedom of Speech has not yet been repealed ..USA USED TO TOLERATE ALL KINDS OF Speech..NOT IN THIS 1984 CLIMATE...
This guy sounds like a headline grabber at the least...


"A statement from the American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council Email this page Print this page
Posted: February 04, 2005
by: Dennis Banks / Dennis J. Banks, Ojibwa, is chairman of the Board of the American Indian Movement. For more informat


Dennis J. Banks, Ojibwa, and Clyde H. Bellecourt, Ojibwa -- Guest columnists

Ward Churchill was scheduled to speak at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y.on Feb. 3. His appearance was canceled by the college after he caused a public furor over his loathsome remarks about the 9/11 tragedy in New York. AIM's Grand Governing Council has been dealing with Churchill's hateful attitude and rip-off of Indian people for years.

The American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council representing the National and International leadership of the American Indian Movement once again is vehemently and emphatically repudiating and condemning the outrageous statements made by academic literary and Indian fraud, Ward Churchill in relationship to the 9/11 tragedy in New York City that claimed thousands of innocent people's lives.

Churchill's statement that these people deserved what happened to them, and calling them ''little Eichmanns,'' comparing them to Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann who implemented Adolf Hitler's plan to exterminate European Jews and others, should be condemned by all. "

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096410305

dbeach

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tlcandie]

15. More info about AIM...Ray Albritter, etc.

This holds no water in denoucing Ward Churchill for me after reading more about AIM, owners of Indian Country (Four Directions Media, Inc., Ray Albritter).

It all goes back to the Ray Albritter, Four Directions Media, Inc.,

http://groups.msn.com/ourcyberlodge/yourwebpage.msnw

<snip>
Arthur Ray Halbritter continues his siege against his family on the 32 acres in NY. After waiting for months for the decision of Judge Norman Mordue in Syracuse, Ny on the Oneida Final Disposition Brief/Indian Civil Rights Act and action by the Oneida Traditional Plaintiffs to save their homes and continue living on the "disputed 32 acre Territory" in Oneida, NY, the May 12th 2003, hearing in "corrupt Tribal Court" was held. Homes were scheduled for demolition, then re-scheduled... Previously, Judge Mordue "called" and "negated a "stay"", which would allow for forced re-inspections and probable demolitions of the Plaintiffs' homes under the guise of Ray Halbritter's "Housing Beautification Project". Fourteen families have lost their homes, (See "The Fourteenth Family", documentary) and have in some cases, such as Danielle Schenandoah (Patterson's), have been seperated from their children, jailed out of state, (illegally), and beaten. Danielle was re-united with some of her children in an old farm house which was repaired. Flooding and other factors caused Danielle to leave the Farmhouse "The New Seed". Danielle was staying with friends. At this point, Danielle is still in need of a good job and home; is trying to get her other children back. Demolitions on "the 32" were scheduled to resume on Aug. 20, 2003... Then Sept. 9, 2003. Then OCTOBER 25/26TH, THEN... Whenever!!! The legal team has worked hard to stop this illegal action and continues to do so. Spread the word!!!! Appeals pending.
<snip>

<snip>
Previous information: Arthur Ray Halbritter, "Self/BIA appointed "leader" for life" and the tribal "police" / illegal Men's Council is continuing their assault on the Oneida Traditionals, including the eviction of his elder Aunt Maisie Schenandoah... Danielle's mother... MAISIE IS NOW IN A HEALTHCARE FACILITY due to illness. Danielle is setting up a base of communications of the United Native Nations Truth Network & Voice Confederation to "provide better service to all people... cultural knowledge sharing, updates of current happenings and events"...THE VISION IS BEING HELD! Danielle had travelled for speaking engagements until her daughter Jolene's recent serious surgery. Jolene is recovering well. Thank you to ALL who gave blood for her transfusions.
<snip>

<snip>
Welcome to All New Members! We are glad you are here to help the Oneida Situation in New York under the dictatorship of Arthur "Ray" Halbritter and His Tribal Police force which we are finding out may include a convicted child molester and felon... Awhile back, an Oneida Policewoman was questioned and may be charged in a high-speed chase OFF the Territory. After the fact, the "story" on this seemed to just "disappear"...
<snip>

Just because it says it is Native American...doesn't mean a lot until you go behind the scenes to see where their heart lies. :hi:

Edit: Also, I see references to NBC and Fox News in various articles with their participation...just a head's up. :+ Additionally, I think the saying, "Follow the Money", which we use for this cabal is appropriate here.

[dbeach]

16. Lots of disinfo from both sides

"Just because it says it is Native American...doesn't mean a lot until you go behind the scenes to see where their heart lies.
The sorry part of this is Ward Churchill has fraudulently represented himself as an Indian, and a member of the American Indian Movement, a situation that has lifted him into the position of a lecturer on Indian activism. He has used the American Indian Movement’s chapter in Denver to attack the leadership of the official American Indian Movement with his misinformation and propaganda campaigns.

http://www.aimovement.org/moipr/churchill05.html
http://mhking.mu.nu/archives/066208.php
The sorry part of this is Ward Churchill has fraudulently represented himself as an Indian, and a member of the American Indian Movement, a situation that has lifted him into the position of a lecturer on Indian activism. He has used the American Indian Movement’s chapter in Denver to attack the leadership of the official American Indian Movement with his misinformation and propaganda campaigns.

I am an American Indian, and there are things that Ward Churchill writes and talks about that agree with and would not dispute. However, this mans claims to American Indian ancestry are highly doubtable. Please see this page from the AIM website at www.aimovement.org speaking to this matter:



some people also allege that Ward is a provocatuer and a spy of the Federal Government. That he brings negative attention on real Native peoples and issues. This is in fact the case with this specific controversy. Ward does not speak for native people, only for himself. Bill O'Reilly stated on the O'Reilly Factor yesterday:

I don't know any trutys abotu this guy..I think more light that shines on 9/11 is better..but AIM and others say he is not a native American and worse could be FBI informant..
FBI could easily use some one in position of power for their agenda...
Agian I dunno truth but this guy needs a credibility check


"O'REILLY: Yes. You know what this is all about? This is about political correctness once again. That's what this is about. This guy is a native American. He feels that genocide was perpetuated on his race. And therefore, he can hate his country and say anything he wants.

The people bought into this in Boulder. And yes, he's a native American, we're not going to talk about it." http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,146031,00.html

This is shedding negative light upon Native peoples and making light of the real history of this country. DO NOT regard this as a good thing. This negative image of American Indian people is being broadcast to millions of intolerant white Americans. This falls in line with the allegations of Ward being a FBI provocatuer. please take a good look at this issue in these terms....and lets hope that Bush administration Indian Policy doesn't take a turn for the worst because of this man.
"

[tlcandie]

19. You are STILL using AIM and FOX News to make your point? n/t

[dbeach]

20. AIM has been round long time

AIm since 1970 has been voice for Natives Americans

my point is only that this messenger lacks credibility.. and could be other than he cliams..We won't agree so move on..
fox refernece only shows how right swingers will exploit this guy...

[bpilgrim]

14. some here in their denunciations sound just like Ann Coulter

yeah, she got a new article out distorting the MSG as well as attacking the MESSENGER.

surprise

peace

[Freedom_from_Chains]

17. You got that right

Kinda calls into question Harry Brown's statement concerning the two major political parties; "Not a dime's worth of difference between the two."