Editor,
Reading The Federalist Chronicle earlier this month, I came across a stunning comment attributed to UNM professor Richard Berthold.
It was reported that within mere hours of the most vile and cowardly attack one can imagine, Berthold was reported to have said, "Anyone who can blow up the Pentagon has my vote."
Surely, I thought, he didn't really say that, did he?
However, a quick call to the UNM president's office confirmed Berthold did utter such a profane lunacy.
I was also told he apologized for the remark.
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Wanting to read for myself how one apologized for supporting cowardly acts of terror that resulted in the mass murder of innocent people, I found Berthold's apology in the Sept. 24 edition of the Daily Lobo.
The article reports Berthold "regrets" his remark, as he was merely trying to "deal with shocking events by making light of them."
I have no doubt he regrets his remarks, much like a criminal regrets getting caught for a crime, yet doesn't regret the crime itself.
Spontaneous utterances oft times are most revealing and truthful. In this case, we caught an illuminating glimpse of Berthold's heart and soul as he reacted in an unguarded manner to the news of a cowardly terrorist attack upon our nation.
This glimpse revealed a foul heart and a dark, hate-filled soul.
How else can you explain a celebration of murder?
Is he so ignorant that he is unaware that the men and women of the Pentagon are defending his right to say whatever silliness his tenured brain decides to spew?
Does he hate them for that?
Does Berthold need reminding that civilized, moral and humane people do not celebrate mass murder of the innocent?
He says "shock" caused his unthinking remark.
I can only wonder what his reaction would have been if someone he loved was killed during a Pentagon tour that infamous day - jubilation and singing?
From the article in the Daily Lobo, I discovered Berthold takes much pride in offending the University.
And from his remarks, it is clear he enjoys offending students as well.
It has been my experience that when professors are interested in offending rather than debate, probing or engaging students in a search for "truth," these professors are frauds, nothing more than bullies intent on forcing their warped agenda on hapless students.
In other words, they beat up on a class of mostly compliant students interested in good grades is an act of academic cowardice.
I am a recently retired United States Air Force fighter pilot, Gulf War veteran with service on the ground in Iraq and Pentagon political military adviser for the Secretary of the Air Force.
As a warrior in the service of my country, I understood that I was a tool of national policy.
And as such, along with all the other people serving the military, I knew I was part of a greater good.
This greater good allowed me to freely serve my God, protect my Constitution and defend my country.
Apparently, by celebrating the death of Pentagon patriots, Berthold does not believe in such things, as he is full of scorn for those who do.
An apology is nothing but words.
A true act of contrition would be to visit the Pentagon and apologize to every uniformed man and woman he meets and to visit Arlington National Cemetery to pray for forgiveness from the brave souls that defended his right to be hateful and ignorant.
Anything less is meaningless; merely words.
Kent D. Johnson
Lt. Col. United States
Air Force
Stafford, Va.
