The Red and Black

Originally posted by

C.L. Swartz

It is a given that the statements on the course evaluations were bigotted and without merit, but if you are asked to fill out what you are told are "anonymous" evaluations, how do you reconcile searching the student out. The article states that the student said that he should be dead, or something similiar. No where did I see a blatent threat that he planned on killing the Professor. Don't get me wrong, I believe in equality for all, but I don't believe that some groups should have "extra" rights. The University asked a question of students and if they get an answer they don't like you do not have the right to go back on your word and search them out and punish them! Last time I checked we are still allowed to have our opinions no matter how repulsive they are. You also do not have the right to punish someone more because those comments are directed at a person who is part of a minority of some kind.

Unfortunately, you are wrong that someone can't be punished for directing bigoted and hateful comments at a minority. The University's non-discrimination policy clearly includes race, sex, religion, and national origin as well as sexual orientation. It's against the university's code of conduct which all students swear to uphold. The right to anonymity on evaluation forms stop when your comments become hateful or threatening. Criticism of a professor's teaching style that might be construed as constructive MUST remain anonymous. The second you write something that could be viewed as a personal attack, especially in relation to a group protected under university policy your right to anonymity is forfeited.

Originally posted by

Jordan

The University violated basic research ethics: unless someone is in danger, do not violate anonymity. As a graduate student, I realize the dire consequences this action will have upon the integrity of future evaluations. Furthermore, as there was no actual threat to the teacher, merely a hate-filled invective, there was no reason for the University to spend the large sum of money to hire a handwriting analyst to find an anonymous survey's author, especially when the University doesn't have enough money to maintain adequate teaching staff.
On another note, I am yet again amazed and appalled by the lack of journalistic integrity of the Red and Black. Not only did this article include the full name, major, and home town of the individual, but also full quotations of the survey answers. On page 4, an editor denounces the violation of anonymity because the University didn't like one man's statements; however, this same editor must not have noticed the fact that the paper had just increased the violation of that student's anonymity by PUBLISHING IT IN A NEWSPAPER. Good job, Red & Black- I've always been a fan of hypocrisy.

Jordan, The Red & Black has not shown any hypocrisy in regards to this issue nor have they violated the anonymity of the survey.

First, I would like you to go to the top of Page 4 in big bold words it says "Opinions." Almost always the opinions section of a newspaper are kept separated from the news section of the paper. The opinion was written by Bill Richards (who is not an editor, although a good editorial cartoonist) representing the majority opinion of the editorial board.

Secondly, the R&B did not violate the anonymity or increase it by publishing this story. It was the University who violated it. It is the job of the paper to print the story, so other students know the university violates anonymity and when and why they do. Only then can students, like yourself, debate whether or not this was acceptable or adjust future actions since they know what happened. I also do not think they lacked any integrity for printing who the student was and what he said. Only then can this subject be put into proper context for the public to consider. As far as the student being named. I believe what he said was reprehensible, whether or not the University should broken anonymity. He deserves to be called out for what he said.

The University broke anonymity, not the R&B. They just reported this thoroughly and accurately, so teachers and students know what happened and can comment about it.

Originally posted by

LAR Student

The History of the Built Environment class was the last, if not the only, valuable lecture class LAR students are asked to take. It is a tough class,but the comments attacking him crossed the line. The student deserved to be reprimanded. The anonymity of a student that holds these views, even in a rage, is not important to me. He deserves to be ostricized and I hope others think twice before sharing their prejudice in such a cowardly way.

I am a homosexual male, and while I don't agree with the comments, it is an individual's opinion. If You are going to fill out an anonymous survey and you can write what you want, then the whole purpose is to maintain anonymity. He got offended, but if he's a professor at a college then he should be used to dealing with other people's ideals. What one frustrated person wrote down should have no bearing on him. If he's a teacher, he will realize he's dealing with a childish adult and work at making people understand the class, and perhaps addressing the class he would appreciate respectful responses on the surveys.

To violate the anonymity will have bad consequences. What happens when someone tells him his teaching style "sucks"? Or he just hears something he doesn't like? Students will think twice before writing their actual opinions down.

It's wrong to say a test is anonymous and then charge someone for something that wasn't a threat. The student has the right to voice his opinion, and he did it without breaking any rules.

As for ostracizing him, it should have been dealt with in front of the class as a whole with comments to the class. That would've preserved the anonymity and addressed the professor's hurt feelings.

Wasn't it me that supposedly wanted your cornhole, Fred? HA! I'd forgotten abt. that!

Originally posted by

fred

Some things never change... I graduated from Environmental Design a few years ago. There is no real anonymity in Environmental Design, it is a very small college where everybody knows everybody. Each floor (you're divided by year on separate floors) always has a ignorant, redneck, frat boy type. The guy that dips in the computer lab, presents his design for a mud wrestling pit to his studio class, writes messages on the chalkboard about who want's who's "kornhole". So you wouldn't really have to bring in the FBI to find who wrote the comments. In my opinion it wasn't so much the professor being personally offended but him trying to ensure a harassment free learning environment for his class.

Originally posted by

Max

Nice to know that "anonymous" means "anonymous unless we want to find out who you are." The guy certainly violated policy (and potentially law), but there should not have been a way to identify him in the first place if the process were actually anonymous. I thought these evaluations were supposed to be submitted to the professors in a typed form so that handwriting could not be identified.

> violated policy (and potentially law)...
God help us all if ever the Supreme Court allows there to be laws that make it a crime to write something hateful, no matter what it is.

Originally posted by

Concerned faculty member

On reflection, I think what pushed this over the edge was that it happened twice in a relatively small group of students, and this led them to think that it was deliberate harassment, not just someone having a bad day.

Translation: "I posted my first comment before reading the article." :)

This Brian Beck is at least five kinds of stupid. He's going to write the same bigoted nonsense twice in a teaching evaluation where the group of students is small? How was this NOT supposed to bite him in the ass? It's not like he graduated after that second class and therefore out of reach.

Although he was not worried about his own life Professor Disponzio seemed to think that Brian might be violent towards other students. Was it just the survey comments that did it or is Brian out of control in class all of the time?

I don't think this is enough to worry about filling out evaluations in general. I think most of us wouldn't write anything as vulgar as what Brian did and very few would write anything violent. I doubt that there will be investigations in to which students hated the textbook assigned in an intro Biology class.

Perhaps it is because 'professors' at this University expect such behavior from the 18-25 year old crowd that it is exhibited. Susanne, your stated sexual orientation does not excuse you from expecting a higher level of thinking from every student at this University. If we don't expect them to get it now, when do we expect them to understand what it means to be a citizen in a free, diverse, and civilized democracy?

Originally posted by

Suzanne

Looks like Disponzio's thin-skinned overreaction confirms some of what the student wrote. I see nothing wrong with the comments. They are tasteless, true, but I don't believe there are any laws or restrictions against hoping someone dies or thinking that homosexuals are "not cool." This is a university, we should be protecting free thought and free expression, regardless of content, not censoring and punishing free thought.

I am a bi-sexual married university employee and I find nothing punishable in the comments by Beck, anonymous or not.

What has happened to the first amendment and free speech, not to mention free thought?

And for Mr. Disponzio: The student's behavior in this incident is the behavior of an immature boy. We expect that from 18-25 year old college kids. Your reaction and behavior, however, is equally immature and you have no excuse. Just because you are from New York and you are gay, you do not have to behave like the wimp stereotype of a "New York fag." You can be a homosexual AND be a man.

Originally posted by

Suzanne

And for Mr. Disponzio: The student's behavior in this incident is the behavior of an immature boy. We expect that from 18-25 year old college kids. Your reaction and behavior, however, is equally immature and you have no excuse. Just because you are from New York and you are gay, you do not have to behave like the wimp stereotype of a "New York fag." You can be a homosexual AND be a man.

Oh yeah, because attacking his masculinity and calling him a fag (putting it in quotes doesn't make it OK) is SO mature.

You should try being less of a hypocrite.

When I wrote "New York fag" in quotes, it was because I was quoting the article. However, as stated, I am bisexual, I am employed at the University, and my friends, gay and straight, use the terms "fag," "dyke," "queen," and "butch" regularly and no one feels threatened or insulted. Wow, you really have noooo understanding of gay culture!

We are not all as insecure and reactionary as Mr. Disponzio. He's gay. People call gay men "fags" all the time. Get over it and go with it. It's easier to embrace the term...then it loses (and the punks like Beck lose) all the power of you that YOU have GIVEN them!

Jennifer sweetie, it is precisely because we live in a free society that we can't be trying to exercise power over others to have their own thoughts and opinions and their rights to express those thoughts and opinions, even when we find those thoughts and opinions disgusting and offensive. Indeed, no one is under any obligation to be "civilized" in our free society - that's precisely what makes our society free - the freedom to not have our thoughts and opinions suppressed by anyone's definition of "civilized." Think what that word means to different people! Sheesh!

On the contrary, I don't think the University campus should be some fairytale land of politeness and repression of offensive ideas and speech. That environment hardly prepares our students for the real world, now does it? One needs to set a better example than the crybaby, tattle-tale example set by Mr. Disponzio by understanding what my mama taught me at the age of 5; that words cannot harm us and we should just ignore people who call us bad names and wish bad things upon us. "Kill them with kindness," she would say. My mama wouldn't hear it if I tattled or came crying when some other kids called me names. Unfortunately, I suspect that Mr. Disponzio's guardians must have coddled him and always tried to protect and shield him from "bad words" and now he's carrying on a cowardly tradition. And our University is his "mama." I can't believe Mr. Disponzio's superiors succumbed to his whiny approach to this matter. Actually, I don't think his superiors did give in. They passed the buck to Legal Affairs. Is Disponzio preparing students to function in a real, free society? Hardly. In the non-academic world he would be laughed out of the building and told to toughen up or ship out. Not for being gay, but for being a wimpy, oversensitive tattle-tale. I have friends who are absolute effeminate flaming queens (they carry the title with PRIDE, thank you!) who are tougher, smarter and way more savvy than this guy!

Originally posted by

Suzanne

When I wrote "New York fag" in quotes, it was because I was quoting the article. However, as stated, I am bisexual, I am employed at the University, and my friends, gay and straight, use the terms "fag," "dyke," "queen," and "butch" regularly and no one feels threatened or insulted. Wow, you really have noooo understanding of gay culture!

Yes, you quoted Brian so you could call him a fag. You quoted it so you could insult him. I'm sure you call your friends fags and dykes in much the same way a black person would call their friend their nigger. That doesn't mean that your use of the word here is friendly, especially when also accuse him of not being a man. I don't need to "understand gay culture" to know that you are being immature.

Justifying your homophobic comments by out-ing yourself as bisexual, does not allow you to speak for the entire queer community. I know many people of the community who are NOT okay with being called "fag" whether it is coming from a peer, professor, or a friend of theirs. I think you are just attacking others on this forum and defending Beck simply because you yourself hold the same homophobic views that he does, despite your sexual orientation.

Originally posted by

Suzanne

Looks like Disponzio's thin-skinned overreaction confirms some of what the student wrote. I see nothing wrong with the comments. They are tasteless, true, but I don't believe there are any laws or restrictions against hoping someone dies or thinking that homosexuals are "not cool." This is a university, we should be protecting free thought and free expression, regardless of content, not censoring and punishing free thought.

I am a bi-sexual married university employee and I find nothing punishable in the comments by Beck, anonymous or not.

What has happened to the first amendment and free speech, not to mention free thought?

And for Mr. Disponzio: The student's behavior in this incident is the behavior of an immature boy. We expect that from 18-25 year old college kids. Your reaction and behavior, however, is equally immature and you have no excuse. Just because you are from New York and you are gay, you do not have to behave like the wimp stereotype of a "New York fag." You can be a homosexual AND be a man.

18-25 does not equal "immature boy"; it is technically a man, certainly legally and adult. Plus you wouldn't use the same descriptor for an 18-25 year female - acting like an "immature girl" double standards for oldest-excuse-in-the-book "boys will be boys" crap. If he's that immature he should be back in high school.

Originally posted by

Suzanne

Looks like Disponzio's thin-skinned overreaction confirms some of what the student wrote. I see nothing wrong with the comments. They are tasteless, true, but I don't believe there are any laws or restrictions against hoping someone dies or thinking that homosexuals are "not cool." This is a university, we should be protecting free thought and free expression, regardless of content, not censoring and punishing free thought.

I am a bi-sexual married university employee and I find nothing punishable in the comments by Beck, anonymous or not.

What has happened to the first amendment and free speech, not to mention free thought?

And for Mr. Disponzio: The student's behavior in this incident is the behavior of an immature boy. We expect that from 18-25 year old college kids. Your reaction and behavior, however, is equally immature and you have no excuse. Just because you are from New York and you are gay, you do not have to behave like the wimp stereotype of a "New York fag." You can be a homosexual AND be a man.

Aaaah! Finally, a poster who understands the principles of freedom of expression...ya know, the thing that our constitution guarantees us?

Originally posted by

new yorker

To all southern frat boys - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE never leave Ga. Let's keep the bigotry contained!!!!

Good to know that there aren't any bigots in New York. I'll have to make a trip up there sometime...that is, if it's ok with you

Originally posted by

new yorker

To all southern frat boys - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE never leave Ga. Let's keep the bigotry contained!!!!

please, don't bother.

Originally posted by

new yorker

To all southern frat boys - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE never leave Ga. Let's keep the bigotry contained!!!!

Hey we're not all bad down here! stupid frat boys are still the minorities whether their poor egocentric minds can understand that or not.

Originally posted by

Pam

Why is it OK to make disparaging comments about frat boys but everyone else is considered off limits?

Because, genius, frat boys are the typical all-american WHITE kids. they are not a minority who are beaten to death in corn fields or turned down jobs or not allowed to marry. they represent the majority - white males. you cannot disparage the majority.

Originally posted by

Pam

Why is it OK to make disparaging comments about frat boys but everyone else is considered off limits?

I like how it automatically turns to 'fair play' when a comment is made about a white, southern male. The whole idea of the 'Golden Rule' has apparantly gone out long ago and has been replaced by the idea that we must punish those who AREN'T responsible for the actions of those long gone. Yes, I am a WASP and that is my heritage, however, it does not mean that I am no more deserving of verbal slander and hatred than any other 'protected' minority. We are all people, all humans, and deserve respect and dignity as that.

Originally posted by

Suzanne

Just to clarify, no "threat" was made, or if it was, it has been left out of the Red and Black article. From the article:

"Joe Disponzio is a complete asshole. I hope he chokes on a dick, gets AIDS and dies. To hell with all gay teachers who are terrible with their jobs and try to fail students!"

He calls Disponizo an asshole. Tasteless, but not threatening.

He "hopes he chokes on a dick" and dies. Again, tasteless but not a threat. Hoping for the death of an individual is not the same as threatening to kill an individual.

"To hell with all gay teachers..." Same as above. Crude, immature, but certainly not a threat.

I agree with the poster who said that the Disponzio's and UGA's approach to this matter is far more juvenile than the crude rantings of an angry, immature student. Crude rantings they are, but threat? Sorry, there is absolutely no threat made in the comments quoted in the article.

Stating that you wish a person were dead is a threat. The student doesn't have to state explicitly that he is going to kill the professor for it to meet the definition. Any angry rant wishing death upon someone is a threat and should therefore be investigated. I don't know that I agree with how UGA went about the investigation, and I'll admit it sets a troubling precedent, but I stand firm in my statement that this does constitutes a threat and thus merited investigation in some form.

Sorry, but you are just wrong. If wishing someone is dead is the same as threatening someone with death, then why isn't this being prosecuted? Why haven't arrests been made? Why? Contact your local police or prosecutor and they will explain it to you....one can "wish" whatever one pleases - good or bad. To say, "I wish he / she were dead." is NOT a crime and it is NOT the same as stating, "I am going to kill you." If wishing death upon someone constituted a threat, think how many people would be in jail for plotting assassinations? Millions I suspect!

If the students opinions were a death threat, it would certainly be prosecuted and I'm sure Disponizo has pursued this, seeing his persistence in this matter. It is not being prosecuted and the student has not been arrested because, under the law, the student has done nothing other than express his immature, juvenile OPINION. I do not agree with his opinion, but much more strongly disagree with the way Disponzio and UGA handled (er, bungled) this non-incident. Disponzio is a sissy and that statement has NOTHING to do with his sexual orientation.

Originally posted by

Suzanne

Just to clarify, no "threat" was made, or if it was, it has been left out of the Red and Black article. From the article:

"Joe Disponzio is a complete asshole. I hope he chokes on a dick, gets AIDS and dies. To hell with all gay teachers who are terrible with their jobs and try to fail students!"

He calls Disponizo an asshole. Tasteless, but not threatening.

He "hopes he chokes on a dick" and dies. Again, tasteless but not a threat. Hoping for the death of an individual is not the same as threatening to kill an individual.

"To hell with all gay teachers..." Same as above. Crude, immature, but certainly not a threat.

I agree with the poster who said that the Disponzio's and UGA's approach to this matter is far more juvenile than the crude rantings of an angry, immature student. Crude rantings they are, but threat? Sorry, there is absolutely no threat made in the comments quoted in the article.

I am entitled to an opinion and so are you. I was at least not being rude about mine.

Originally posted by

Suzanne

Stating that you wish a person were dead is a threat. The student doesn't have to state explicitly that he is going to kill the professor for it to meet the definition. Any angry rant wishing death upon someone is a threat and should therefore be investigated.

Let's look at the "threat" that was made here. Beck didn't merely wish Disponzio were dead, he even stated his means of accomplishing this crime: Beck's "threat" was that he "hopes he chokes on a dick" and dies. Shouldn't we consider the context / achievability of the statement when trying to determine if a comment on an evaluation is a credible threat? Do you honestly believe that Beck was going to throttle his penis down Disponzio's throat until he choked to death? Is that even possible? Get real!

Does this mean that every time we hear someone say, "Eat shit and die," we should call the police and report an attempted murder? That the individual who uttered the phrase actually intends to force feces down someone's throat until death? Yikes.

Thanks for belittling my attempt to engage in discussion by taking my point to a ridiculous extreme.

The reason I call this a threat is all about context. This student singled out the professor and spewed hateful, violent comments at him on not one but two occasions, hiding behind the anonymity of the course evaluations. If I am mad at my friend and I tell him to go jump off a cliff (for those posters who feel the need for exagerrated examples), no, I don't think he needs to call the police and report me. But when hateful and violent imagery is directed by an anonymous party to a particular individual on more than one occasion, it merits investigating as a possible threat to this man.

Wow. You have already gone from "threat" to "possible threat." Having doubts are we? I'm not taking this to a ridiculous extreme, I merely basing my opinions on what the student ACTUALLY SAID - imagine that! Now we're supposed to try to get in the head of someone who leaves and negative evaluation that includes derogatory remarks about homosexuals (derogatory remarks we've ALL heard HUNDREDS of times in daily life or popular media)? I do not care for the THOUGHT POLICE, thank you! We have to take what is said at face value and the only actual statement presented here that could be construed as a threat upon this professor's life is "hope he chokes on a dick and dies." I ask you again - please give us an HONEST answer and just answer the pertinent question regarding the alleged "threat:" do you seriously believe that Beck intended to kill or harm this professor or anyone else by forcing them to choke on his penis?

Ridiculous extreme? That's EXACTLY where this professor and UGA have taken what should have been laughed off or ignored. Telling someone you hope he / she chokes on a dick is not a threat on their life!

Originally posted by

Suzanne

Just to clarify, no "threat" was made, or if it was, it has been left out of the Red and Black article. From the article:

"Joe Disponzio is a complete asshole. I hope he chokes on a dick, gets AIDS and dies. To hell with all gay teachers who are terrible with their jobs and try to fail students!"

He calls Disponizo an asshole. Tasteless, but not threatening.

He "hopes he chokes on a dick" and dies. Again, tasteless but not a threat. Hoping for the death of an individual is not the same as threatening to kill an individual.

"To hell with all gay teachers..." Same as above. Crude, immature, but certainly not a threat.

I agree with the poster who said that the Disponzio's and UGA's approach to this matter is far more juvenile than the crude rantings of an angry, immature student. Crude rantings they are, but threat? Sorry, there is absolutely no threat made in the comments quoted in the article.

Stop whining LCA. I wish you were dead.

Originally posted by

Suzanne

Just to clarify, no "threat" was made, or if it was, it has been left out of the Red and Black article. From the article:

"Joe Disponzio is a complete asshole. I hope he chokes on a dick, gets AIDS and dies. To hell with all gay teachers who are terrible with their jobs and try to fail students!"

He calls Disponizo an asshole. Tasteless, but not threatening.

He "hopes he chokes on a dick" and dies. Again, tasteless but not a threat. Hoping for the death of an individual is not the same as threatening to kill an individual.

"To hell with all gay teachers..." Same as above. Crude, immature, but certainly not a threat.

I agree with the poster who said that the Disponzio's and UGA's approach to this matter is far more juvenile than the crude rantings of an angry, immature student. Crude rantings they are, but threat? Sorry, there is absolutely no threat made in the comments quoted in the article.

Really mature. You should call up Beck, maybe you could be friends.

Originally posted by

Suzanne

Just to clarify, no "threat" was made, or if it was, it has been left out of the Red and Black article. From the article:

"Joe Disponzio is a complete asshole. I hope he chokes on a dick, gets AIDS and dies. To hell with all gay teachers who are terrible with their jobs and try to fail students!"

He calls Disponizo an asshole. Tasteless, but not threatening.

He "hopes he chokes on a dick" and dies. Again, tasteless but not a threat. Hoping for the death of an individual is not the same as threatening to kill an individual.

"To hell with all gay teachers..." Same as above. Crude, immature, but certainly not a threat.

I agree with the poster who said that the Disponzio's and UGA's approach to this matter is far more juvenile than the crude rantings of an angry, immature student. Crude rantings they are, but threat? Sorry, there is absolutely no threat made in the comments quoted in the article.

Just because he said it doesn't mean he should be locked up. I'll say again (and yes I KNOW you don't agree), I consider it a threat. And that should be investigated. If it turns out he really was just ranting and there is no evidence to suggest he plans to do anything violent, okay. We'll deal with that and move on. But threats are not so black and white. To answer the dumb question, of course I don't believe he literally wants to choke the professor with his penis. The method's not the point, it's the fact that it's referencing violence. And probably in most cases, something like this never turns into actual violence. But isn't it worth making sure?? I don't agree with how UGA went about it but geez, I would hope when there is a possibility of violence, even if it is expressed in a ludicrous way, it gets looked into just in case.

Worth looking into at what cost? Don't you think the "investigation" here should have consisted of the professor maybe speaking to this class and addressing the anonymous person in that speech? Kind of calling him out without calling him out, as in, "I know who you are and I don't appreciate it...here's why."

Do you really think it's necessary to turn this over to Legal Affairs, and then hire a handwriting analyst to find the person who made the dire threat of "choke on a dick and die?" What moron made that call?

Is it worth breaking the anonymity of the teacher evaluation process so that the entire system of anonymous evaluations is now less effective...that people will either not do an evaluation or certainly not do a candid and honest NEGATIVE evaluation?

Much ado about NOTHING and there was no threat here and this professor KNEW that. Just as one can read between the lines and find ulterior motives for the comments in the student's negative evaluation, one can even more easily read between the lines and see that what Disponzio did in publicly calling this punk out and identifying him was a retaliation. In and of itself, technically he did nothing wrong. But realistically, what he did was actually worse and far more petty than the rude comments the student left in his evaluation. He's a mature professor stooping to a lower level than a college kid punk. That's precisely why I think we have to take the actual words the student used at face value: Did he say he was going to kill anyone? No. He said he hoped the professor choked on a dick or that he hoped the professor would contract AIDS and die. I'm actually giving the "threat" theory some leeway, because he didn't say "choke on MY dick" he just said "choke on A dick" and more likely than not Beck was not referring to his own penis as being some sort of murder weapon - he probably meant he hoped Disponzio would choke to death on a lover's or partner's penis.

So what have we learned? A young college kid is a rude punk who says bad things about gay people. Gee...never heard that before. More importantly we have learned that Professor Disponzio is a calculating, petty individual and UGA does not have their priorities in order. Handwriting analyst? Give me, and the rest of the world with some common sense, a BREAK! Disponzio, maybe UGA should Dispose 'O You!

Suzanne,
It is not cool how you use "bi-sexual" as a term to cloak your opinions from being ridiculed. First, that term offers no credibility to your online rantings (no one will ever know if you are bi or just a liar). Second, You should not speak for the entire gay community about what they do or don't mind being called (or what they should get used to hearing) just because you had a lick or two back in college or high school. Further, YOUR MARRIED!!!! So obviously you are not really swinging both ways anymore...42% of women are attracted to other women...that does not make them bisexual. 28% of women have admitted to experimenting with other women...that too does not make them bisexual...maybe a bit curious but NOT bisexual. You have no idea what is or is not politically correct in the gay community. It is one thing for a gay male to call another gay male a fag....just like an african american can call another african american the "n-word" but NO ONE ELSE CAN. There are rules to the use of this "slang". And one more thing...from your train of thought: if the gay community should just get over being called "fags" or any other derogatory slander, then all women should get used to being called "sluts", all mexicans should just be called wetbacks, and white people should take back the n-word from african americans....my goodness...get out from under that rock.

Yes, I'm married, I work at UGA, I'm bisexual, and, if by "swinging" you mean that I still have sexual relations with women and men (um, kinda thought the word "bisexual" covered that pretty well) you are correct. Sure, my friends have NO problems with whatever WORD people want to throw at us (like, uh, "swinging" for example - you soooo exemplify what you are criticizing): dyke, fag, butch, queen, swinger...whatever "offensive" name - it's just words. But, hey, let's say some can't ignore BEING CALLED NAMES...what should be done? We're supposed to call in the lawyers, and the handwriting experts, and the police? Sure, maybe in Bush's America, but not in mine! NO THANK YOU TO THE POLICE STATE. I would rather live with the name-callers, etc. Being called a rude name, whether you can take it or not, is most certainly NOT a threat to one's life. Why don't you move to some religious theocracy where people who use foul language are shot? When someone calls you a fag, they will be shot after you tattle on them. Oh, wait, you'll be shot, too, for being homosexual...or white..or black...or having the wrong color hair....or worshiping the wrong deity...or eating the sacred animal...whatever - Freedom means putting up with rude stuff - GET OVER IT.

Originally posted by

Suzanne

Just to clarify, no "threat" was made, or if it was, it has been left out of the Red and Black article. From the article:

"Joe Disponzio is a complete asshole. I hope he chokes on a dick, gets AIDS and dies. To hell with all gay teachers who are terrible with their jobs and try to fail students!"

He calls Disponizo an asshole. Tasteless, but not threatening.

He "hopes he chokes on a dick" and dies. Again, tasteless but not a threat. Hoping for the death of an individual is not the same as threatening to kill an individual.

"To hell with all gay teachers..." Same as above. Crude, immature, but certainly not a threat.

I agree with the poster who said that the Disponzio's and UGA's approach to this matter is far more juvenile than the crude rantings of an angry, immature student. Crude rantings they are, but threat? Sorry, there is absolutely no threat made in the comments quoted in the article.

you sound a bit of a loser. I hope I never have to deal with you, at uga or as part of the gay community (some of whom are my dear friends).

Originally posted by

Suzanne

Just to clarify, no "threat" was made, or if it was, it has been left out of the Red and Black article. From the article:

"Joe Disponzio is a complete asshole. I hope he chokes on a dick, gets AIDS and dies. To hell with all gay teachers who are terrible with their jobs and try to fail students!"

He calls Disponizo an asshole. Tasteless, but not threatening.

He "hopes he chokes on a dick" and dies. Again, tasteless but not a threat. Hoping for the death of an individual is not the same as threatening to kill an individual.

"To hell with all gay teachers..." Same as above. Crude, immature, but certainly not a threat.

I agree with the poster who said that the Disponzio's and UGA's approach to this matter is far more juvenile than the crude rantings of an angry, immature student. Crude rantings they are, but threat? Sorry, there is absolutely no threat made in the comments quoted in the article.

yes, it's possible - do some crime research.