[tips] Re: On academic freedom

[Robert Wildblood]

On 25 Jul 2006, at 13:34, Paul Brandon wrote: One usually adds the qualification "within one's field of competence". When a physicist talks about politics that is not covered by academic freedom.     That's an interesting point; however, I largely disagree with it.  As a psychologist, I believe that any psychological issue that comes up that is influenced by or influences my field of psychology is about politics and that is what I talk about.  This has been particularly relevant to me over the last 5.5 years (although I can't figure out for the life of me why it has been much more important for that length of time) since I teach Abnormal and Lifespan Developmental and there have been numerous political (administration) decisions that are directly relevant.  In any of the scientific areas, there are lots of political decisions being made - most recently the veto of the Stem Cell bill - that become directly relevant to my teaching.  If I were persecuted, or lost my job over something like that, I would fight it to the Supreme Court and take my chances with that increasingly right leaning group.  I teach what I teach, and I make statements that are fact based about the effect of political decisions - such as an "off budget" cost of nearly  $1 trillion for a war which may not have been necessary to fight, while at the same time cutting social programs such as Medicaid, Veterans Administration (isn't that strange, we create a war and cut funds to serve those who fight the war).  But don't get me started.  The most important date in the history of this country (assuming we get there) is 01/20/09, the last day of the present administration.  Bob W. Dr. Bob Wildblood Lecturer in Psychology Indiana University Kokomo 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo, IN 46904-9003 765-455-9483 [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Too many good docs are getting out of the business.  Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country." George W. Bush.  Poplar Bluff, Missouri; September 6, 2004. "I am mindful of the difference between the executive branch.  I assured all four of these leaders that I know the difference, and that difference is, they pass the laws and I execute them. George W. Bush.  Washington, D.C.; December 18, 2000 "I'm the master of low expectations." George W. Bush.  Aboard Air Force One; June 4, 2003 "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin, 1775 "We are what we pretend to be, so we better be careful what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english