Myles Kantor
Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005

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  Examples of groups that plan less for the future included the very elderly and homosexuals, the latter Hoppe attributing to a smaller degree of parenthood and more dangerous lifestyle. He also noted the homosexuality of economist John Maynard Keynes and some economists' belief that it influenced his statist policy recommendations.

Student Michael Knight complained about the lecture to university officials, and hearings followed.

Officials proposed to issue Hoppe a reprimand and deny a week's pay. After more hearings, on January 4 they proposed to reprimand him and deny a pay increase.

On February 9, UNLV executive vice president and provost Raymond W. Alden III sent Hoppe a "non-disciplinary letter of instruction" entered into his personnel file. The letter described his lecture remarks as "discriminatory and creating a hostile learning environment."

The accuracy or inaccuracy of Hoppe's remarks isn't the basis for this vile nonsense. He is being damaged for committing the sin of Saying Things That Bother Some People.

Take the fact that out-of-wedlock births occur more among blacks than Asians in America. If a professor noted this in a sociology class, it is hardly remote that injuries to reputation and livelihood would follow after complaints about racism, insensitivity, etc. Economics professor John Egger of Towson University has recounted:

Some time ago I was asked to teach the economics of poverty and discrimination; after quickly thinking over potential topics, I declined, realizing that if I criticized existing institutions I'd be opening myself to charges like those now facing Hans: racism, sexism, etc. Despite lacking any foundation, these charges could be career-ending.

In academia today, to romanticize totalitarian criminals like Ernesto "Che" Guevara is a sacred right. To speak about demographic truths can be vocationally lethal.

Professor Butler Shaffer of Southwestern School of Law notes the chilling effect of this ideological climate:

Professor Hoppe's experience at UNLV is not an aberration. That such incidents do not flare up more frequently is doubtless due to an engrained fear of "offending" the most sensitive member of the student body, leading to a self-censorship by faculty members. The spontaneous, open discussions that fire minds to a vigorous debate become watered down to a recitation of harmless bromides. The validity of a proposition is governed less by factual and rational inquiry, and more by its conformity to the catechisms of "political correctness."

In Professor Hoppe's case, UNLV's bylaws (http://system.nevada.edu/Board-of-R/Handbook/Title-2/T2-CH02.doc_cvt.htm) plainly protect his right to lecture freely:

Academic freedom is essential to these purposes and is applicable to both teaching and research. Freedom in teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher in teaching and of the student in learning…A member of the faculty has freedom and an obligation, in the classroom or in research, to discuss and pursue the faculty member's subject with candor and integrity, even when the subject requires consideration of topics which may be politically, socially or scientifically controversial. In order to insure the freedom to seek and profess truth and knowledge, as stated in Section 2.3 of the University and Community College System of Nevada Code, the faculty member, as defined in Section 2.2 of this chapter, shall not be subjected to censorship or discipline by the University and Community College System of Nevada on grounds that the faculty member has expressed opinions or views which are controversial, unpopular or contrary to the attitudes of the University and Community College System of Nevada or the community.

As full disclosure, Professor Hoppe encouraged my scholarship soon after I began writing. My anger over his abuse is unapologetically personal as well as philosophical.

Remorse and restitution are due in this case, but not by Hans Hoppe. It is UNLV's administration that owes Hoppe for betraying and bullying him.

Myles Kantor is a columnist for FrontPageMagazine.com and editor-at-large for Pureplay Press (www.PureplayPress.com). His e-mail address is MylesColumn@aol.com.

Editor's note: