The Other McCain

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Professor Fired After Claiming ‘Evil’ Texas Deserved Deadly Hurricane as ‘Karma’

Posted on | August 30, 2017 | Comments Off on Professor Fired After Claiming ‘Evil’ Texas Deserved Deadly Hurricane as ‘Karma’

 

The University of Tampa has fired a sociology professor who claimed on Twitter that Texas deserved the destruction of Hurricane Harvey because most people in the state vote Republican. “I don’t believe in instant Karma but this kinda feels like it for Texas,” adjunct professor Ken Storey wrote on Sunday. “Hopefully this will help them realize the GOP doesn’t care about them.” When his comment was questioned by someone who pointed out that there are “lots of good people in Texas,” Storey replied: “Well, the good people there need to do more to stop the evil their state pushes. I’m only blaming those who support the GOP there.” After it was pointed out that President Trump also won a majority in Florida, Storey replied: “Yep, those who voted for him here deserve it as well.”

Storey has a master’s degree from the University of Central Florida and has also teaches at Hillsborough Community College. After his anti-Texas tweets ignited a firestorm of criticism, Storey apologized, but his belated regret apparently wasn’t enough to save his job:

The University of Tampa on Monday night posted a statement on Facebook condemning Storey’s comments and “the sentiment behind them,” but noted they were posted to a private account and “not made within his capacity as a faculty member.”
That statement made no reference to Storey’s future role with the university — but, in another release Tuesday, the university said Storey “has been relieved of his duties at UT, and his classes will be covered by other sociology faculty.”
“As Floridians, we are well aware of the destruction and suffering associated with tropical weather,” the statement said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all impacted by Hurricane Harvey.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, Storey was still on staff at Hillsborough Community College, where a spokeswoman told the Orlando Sentinel that officials have “addressed the matter” with Storey. Meanwhile, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), best known for defending conservatives from political correctness on campus, seems to be the only voice criticizing the University of Tampa’s firing of Storey.

“Many universities seem to decide, ‘Well, it’s not worth the trouble of sticking up for our faculty members’ rights,’ and that’s troubling,” FIRE attorney Ari Cohn told the Sentinel. “The University of Tampa’s own policies say faculty members retain their rights to speak as private citizens, which is exactly what Ken Storey seems to have done.”

 

Category: Education

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