Editor,
I agree that Professor Berthold has a guaranteed First Amendment right to free speech but, I believe that he has forgotten that with our rights come responsibilities. I do not believe that the classroom while performing his obligations to UNM was an appropriate setting for such a statement. I feel that he has forgotten that his employer has the right to require a level of professionalism and conduct and that he agreed to abide by these rules when he accepted his position.
Has he forgotten that his rights, free speech among them, are protected by those who work at the Pentagon and those that serve in our Armed Forces? Has he forgotten that he agreed, by accepting his paycheck, to the rules of conduct defined by his employer?
I feel that UNM should take some disciplinary action. I also think that this should be a wake-up call to each of us to be aware of the impact of our words.
How can we know that this venerable professor's words have not added fuel to a flame of hatred for our government and the military in some individual?
Cindi Ballard
Physics and Astronomy Student
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