RE: Biology prof a deer in media headlights

[Guest guest]

Quote from Albert in article:

Somebody may agree with the extreme position attributed to me, when the whole purpose was to have a class discussion and have different points of view," he said.

What? He just needs to apologize and shut up already. The students said there was no discussion, he was LECTURING.

, Mom to 14, DS, Southern CaliforniaTo succeed in life,you need three things:a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.~ Reba McIntyre

Diagnosis Down Syndrome: A Site of Hope for New Parents or Parents with a Prenatal Diagnosishttp://www.leeworks.net/DDS/What to Say to Parents of a Child with a Diagnosishttp://www.leeworks.net/DDS/speech.html

[DownSyndromeInfoExchange] Biology prof a deer in media headlights

“”Two weeks ago, Albert was a respected professor at UNC-Chapel Hill who labored in obscurity teaching biology to pre-med students. By most accounts, he did a pretty good job.

Then he wandered into the klieg light of media coverage, and his life hasn't been the same. His e-mail box is full of messages damning, some threatening, the 64-year-old prof. People are calling for him to be fired, and he says wealthy alumni are making unhappy noises to the university.”” Rest of article here:

http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/columns/story/961900.html

[Guest guest]

Exactly. He wants to ‘spark discussion’, safe in the knowledge

that he is the one calling the shots…after all, who is going to have the guts

to disagree with him? That took a lot of courage. Yet, when he IS called on it,

he keeps making more and more excuses…blaming the student, talking about ‘hate

mail’ (I am sure there was some, his remarks stirred up some strong emotions)

but instead of admitting that he was wrong to say what he did, he hides behind ‘academic

freedom of speech’ and touts his tenderness for animals as a sign that he is a

wonderful guy. And he probably IS a nice guy in many ways…but it really doesn’t

comfort me to know that he places the lives of spiders and turtles above those of

babies with Ds.

KathyR

From: DownSyndromeInfoExchange

[mailto:DownSyndromeInfoExchange ] On Behalf Of

McElwee

Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 1:40 AM

To: DownSyndromeInfoExchange

Subject: Re: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] Biology prof a deer in media

headlights

Quote from Albert in article:

Somebody may agree with the extreme position attributed to

me, when the whole purpose was to have a class discussion and have different

points of view, " he said.

What?

He just needs to apologize and shut up already. The students said there

was no discussion, he was LECTURING.

,

Mom to 14, DS, Southern California

To succeed in life,

you need three things:

a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.

~ Reba McIntyre

Diagnosis Down Syndrome: A Site of Hope for New Parents or Parents with a

Prenatal Diagnosis

http://www.leeworks.net/DDS/

What to Say to Parents of a Child with a Diagnosis

http://www.leeworks.net/DDS/speech.html

-----

Original Message -----

From: Kathy Ratkiewicz

To: DownSyndromeInfoExchange

; 'Down Syndrome'

Sent: Monday, February 25,

2008 9:49 PM

Subject: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange]

Biology prof a deer in media headlights

“”Two

weeks ago, Albert was a respected professor at UNC-Chapel Hill who

labored in obscurity teaching biology to pre-med students. By most accounts, he

did a pretty good job.

Then

he wandered into the klieg light of media coverage, and his life hasn't been

the same. His e-mail box is full of messages damning, some threatening, the

64-year-old prof. People are calling for him to be fired, and he says wealthy

alumni are making unhappy noises to the university.”” Rest of article here:

http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/columns/story/961900.html

[Guest guest]

Maybe I'm off track, but I went another direction, by emailing the author of the article, as he was in a sense, defending the doctor.

Here's my letter.

Tina

*************************************************

Mr. Vaden,

You wrote in the aforementioned article about Professor , of how you "have qualms", "have a nagging uneasiness", and you're "concerned" about what was written. However, please imagine, if you're able, how many of us feel when we continually hear that someone else says our child should have been aborted.

Imagine our qualms. Our uneasiness. Our concerns when people think nothing of stating that our child doesn't deserve to be alive. Please explore that avenue for your writings.

A remark for discussion? I think not. He has the podium. He has the control. It's his playground, and unfortunately, students - if they plan on getting a med degree - *have* to listen to such talk. I expect if they were brave enough, a few more students might have spoken up against his remark.

Unfortunately for "modern society" (a term I use loosely), it is still so very ignorant about individuals with Down Syndrome. It is still so fearful of this particular disability.

Perfection is the key for babies born today. Selective breeding. Seems someone 70 years ago was practicing that and we still consider him a monster for it. And yet, we as a society are doing the same thing and we call ourselves advanced. I think not.

I'm sorry the professor - and a good many others - believe it's their right to inflict harm against parents such as myself with statements such as his.

Thank you for your time

[Guest guest]

Excellent letters, Suzanne and Tina!

From:

DownSyndromeInfoExchange

[mailto:DownSyndromeInfoExchange ] On Behalf Of Roquemores

Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:56 AM

To: DownSyndromeInfoExchange

Subject: Re: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] Biology prof a deer in media

headlights

Maybe I'm off

track, but I went another direction, by emailing the author of the article, as

he was in a sense, defending the doctor.

Here's my

letter.

Tina

*************************************************

Mr.

Vaden,

You

wrote in the aforementioned article about Professor , of how you

" have qualms " , " have a nagging uneasiness " , and you're

" concerned " about what was written. However, please imagine, if

you're able, how many of us feel when we continually hear that someone else

says our child should have been aborted.

Imagine

our qualms. Our uneasiness. Our concerns when people think nothing

of stating that our child doesn't deserve to be alive. Please explore

that avenue for your writings.

A

remark for discussion? I think not. He has the podium. He has

the control. It's his playground, and unfortunately, students - if they

plan on getting a med degree - *have* to listen to such talk. I expect if

they were brave enough, a few more students might have spoken up against

his remark.

Unfortunately

for " modern society " (a term I use loosely), it is still so very

ignorant about individuals with Down Syndrome. It is still so fearful of

this particular disability.

Perfection

is the key for babies born today. Selective breeding. Seems someone

70 years ago was practicing that and we still consider him a monster for

it. And yet, we as a society are doing the same thing and we call

ourselves advanced. I think not.

I'm

sorry the professor - and a good many others - believe it's their right to

inflict harm against parents such as myself with statements such as his.

Thank

you for your time

[Guest guest]

Excellent letters, Suzanne and Tina!

From:

DownSyndromeInfoExchange

[mailto:DownSyndromeInfoExchange ] On Behalf Of Roquemores

Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:56 AM

To: DownSyndromeInfoExchange

Subject: Re: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] Biology prof a deer in media

headlights

Maybe I'm off

track, but I went another direction, by emailing the author of the article, as

he was in a sense, defending the doctor.

Here's my

letter.

Tina

*************************************************

Mr.

Vaden,

You

wrote in the aforementioned article about Professor , of how you

" have qualms " , " have a nagging uneasiness " , and you're

" concerned " about what was written. However, please imagine, if

you're able, how many of us feel when we continually hear that someone else

says our child should have been aborted.

Imagine

our qualms. Our uneasiness. Our concerns when people think nothing

of stating that our child doesn't deserve to be alive. Please explore

that avenue for your writings.

A

remark for discussion? I think not. He has the podium. He has

the control. It's his playground, and unfortunately, students - if they

plan on getting a med degree - *have* to listen to such talk. I expect if

they were brave enough, a few more students might have spoken up against

his remark.

Unfortunately

for " modern society " (a term I use loosely), it is still so very

ignorant about individuals with Down Syndrome. It is still so fearful of

this particular disability.

Perfection

is the key for babies born today. Selective breeding. Seems someone

70 years ago was practicing that and we still consider him a monster for

it. And yet, we as a society are doing the same thing and we call

ourselves advanced. I think not.

I'm

sorry the professor - and a good many others - believe it's their right to

inflict harm against parents such as myself with statements such as his.

Thank

you for your time

[Guest guest]

Sorry but he should have thought of this before he imposed HIS views on his students. He is there to teach a subject not his views. He needs to apologize, tuck his tail and then shut up. Humility is a tough lesson to learn at any age.

Hugs,

-- [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] Biology prof a deer in media headlights

“”Two weeks ago, Albert was a respected professor at UNC-Chapel Hill who labored in obscurity teaching biology to pre-med students. By most accounts, he did a pretty good job.

Then he wandered into the klieg light of media coverage, and his life hasn't been the same. His e-mail box is full of messages damning, some threatening, the 64-year-old prof. People are calling for him to be fired, and he says wealthy alumni are making unhappy noises to the university.”” Rest of article here:

http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/columns/story/961900.html

[Guest guest]

Sorry but he should have thought of this before he imposed HIS views on his students. He is there to teach a subject not his views. He needs to apologize, tuck his tail and then shut up. Humility is a tough lesson to learn at any age.

Hugs,

-- [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] Biology prof a deer in media headlights

“”Two weeks ago, Albert was a respected professor at UNC-Chapel Hill who labored in obscurity teaching biology to pre-med students. By most accounts, he did a pretty good job.

Then he wandered into the klieg light of media coverage, and his life hasn't been the same. His e-mail box is full of messages damning, some threatening, the 64-year-old prof. People are calling for him to be fired, and he says wealthy alumni are making unhappy noises to the university.”” Rest of article here:

http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/columns/story/961900.html

[Guest guest]

Good letter, Tina. Now if he is a good reporter he will print the other side of the story.

ette

-------------- Original message from "Roquemores" : --------------

Maybe I'm off track, but I went another direction, by emailing the author of the article, as he was in a sense, defending the doctor.

Here's my letter.

Tina

*************************************************

Mr. Vaden,

You wrote in the aforementioned article about Professor , of how you "have qualms", "have a nagging uneasiness", and you're "concerned" about what was written. However, please imagine, if you're able, how many of us feel when we continually hear that someone else says our child should have been aborted.

Imagine our qualms. Our uneasiness. Our concerns when people think nothing of stating that our child doesn't deserve to be alive. Please explore that avenue for your writings.

A remark for discussion? I think not. He has the podium. He has the control. It's his playground, and unfortunately, students - if they plan on getting a med degree - *have* to listen to such talk. I expect if they were brave enough, a few more students might have spoken up against his remark.

Unfortunately for "modern society" (a term I use loosely), it is still so very ignorant about individuals with Down Syndrome. It is still so fearful of this particular disability.

Perfection is the key for babies born today. Selective breeding. Seems someone 70 years ago was practicing that and we still consider him a monster for it. And yet, we as a society are doing the same thing and we call ourselves advanced. I think not.

I'm sorry the professor - and a good many others - believe it's their right to inflict harm against parents such as myself with statements such as his.

Thank you for your time

[Guest guest]

Good letter, Tina. Now if he is a good reporter he will print the other side of the story.

ette

-------------- Original message from "Roquemores" : --------------

Maybe I'm off track, but I went another direction, by emailing the author of the article, as he was in a sense, defending the doctor.

Here's my letter.

Tina

*************************************************

Mr. Vaden,

You wrote in the aforementioned article about Professor , of how you "have qualms", "have a nagging uneasiness", and you're "concerned" about what was written. However, please imagine, if you're able, how many of us feel when we continually hear that someone else says our child should have been aborted.

Imagine our qualms. Our uneasiness. Our concerns when people think nothing of stating that our child doesn't deserve to be alive. Please explore that avenue for your writings.

A remark for discussion? I think not. He has the podium. He has the control. It's his playground, and unfortunately, students - if they plan on getting a med degree - *have* to listen to such talk. I expect if they were brave enough, a few more students might have spoken up against his remark.

Unfortunately for "modern society" (a term I use loosely), it is still so very ignorant about individuals with Down Syndrome. It is still so fearful of this particular disability.

Perfection is the key for babies born today. Selective breeding. Seems someone 70 years ago was practicing that and we still consider him a monster for it. And yet, we as a society are doing the same thing and we call ourselves advanced. I think not.

I'm sorry the professor - and a good many others - believe it's their right to inflict harm against parents such as myself with statements such as his.

Thank you for your time

[Guest guest]

BRAVO!

You Rock!

, Mom to 14, DS, Southern CaliforniaTo succeed in life,you need three things:a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.~ Reba McIntyre

Diagnosis Down Syndrome: A Site of Hope for New Parents or Parents with a Prenatal Diagnosishttp://www.leeworks.net/DDS/What to Say to Parents of a Child with a Diagnosishttp://www.leeworks.net/DDS/speech.html

Re: [DownSyndromeInfoExchange] Biology prof a deer in media headlights

Maybe I'm off track, but I went another direction, by emailing the author of the article, as he was in a sense, defending the doctor.

Here's my letter.

Tina

*************************************************

Mr. Vaden,

You wrote in the aforementioned article about Professor , of how you "have qualms", "have a nagging uneasiness", and you're "concerned" about what was written. However, please imagine, if you're able, how many of us feel when we continually hear that someone else says our child should have been aborted.

Imagine our qualms. Our uneasiness. Our concerns when people think nothing of stating that our child doesn't deserve to be alive. Please explore that avenue for your writings.

A remark for discussion? I think not. He has the podium. He has the control. It's his playground, and unfortunately, students - if they plan on getting a med degree - *have* to listen to such talk. I expect if they were brave enough, a few more students might have spoken up against his remark.

Unfortunately for "modern society" (a term I use loosely), it is still so very ignorant about individuals with Down Syndrome. It is still so fearful of this particular disability.

Perfection is the key for babies born today. Selective breeding. Seems someone 70 years ago was practicing that and we still consider him a monster for it. And yet, we as a society are doing the same thing and we call ourselves advanced. I think not.

I'm sorry the professor - and a good many others - believe it's their right to inflict harm against parents such as myself with statements such as his.

Thank you for your time