Editor’s Note:

Please take a moment to write to Chicago Public Radio’s Eight Forty Eight show and thank them for having Norman Finkelstein on their show on June 12, 2007.

Please send your comments via 848@chicagopublicradio.org or
the show’s Contact page: http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Program_848_Contact.aspx

Audio: Download (Mp3) | Listen (streaming)

DePaul University recently announced that political science professor Norman Finkelstein would not be getting tenure—that means the school rejected his bid for a permanent job.

Finkelstein’s work is controversial — He accuses some Jews of creating and profiting from what he calls the “Holocaust industry”.

He also condemns Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

He also happens to be the son of Holocaust survivors.

But some people in academia say there was too much outside interference and personal politics driving DePaul’s decision not to keep him.

Music Button: Avishai Cohen “Remembering” from the CD As Is…Live at the Blue Note (Half Note records)

Release date: 6/12/2007

Editor’s note: Finkelstein was on the 9am show. Here’s what the radio station’s website looked like between 12:30pm and 12:55pm EST:

Reader letters

Sent : Friday, June 15, 2007 8:31 AM
Subject : Burning Bruno at the Stake

Many thanks again to Torey Malatia, Ron Jones, and others at Chicago Public Radio for hosting Norman Finkelstein on June 12, 2007 to discuss the issue of the unfair and politicized decision of DePaul University to deny tenure to Professor Finkelstein, as well as to Professor Mehrene Larudee. The events really constitute an academic witchhunt and the public must be made aware.

Professor FInkelstein’s principled stand on positions that are the result of facts and hard research, not personal fancy, shows the clear limits of “free speech” in current political and intellectual discourse in the US. Thus, it is refreshing to see a radio station with the courage and decency to air information that is ignored or distorted elsewhere in the mainstream media and to try to transcend these narrow limits. I trust that the station will continue to follow up on these events, as promised.

…..
Woodlynne, NJ

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From : Mickie M uraman46@yahoo.com
Sent : Tuesday, June 12, 2007 4:52 PM
Subject : The rightful place for you

On June 12, 2007 you said in your interview to the NPR that you’re planning to fight back to make the DePaul University to reverse its decision on denying your tenure. At the end, as you said, you’re hoping to be reinstated in order to hold your rightful place.

Well, you can hope all you want, but you’ll never get your tenure, you didn’t deserve it.

As far as normal and dignified people are concerned your real rightful place is in the deep, filthy and smelly sewage of Gaza (literally). You belong there, you insignificant human profilactic!

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Sent : Tuesday, June 12, 2007 9:09 PM
Subject : 848

Prof. Finkelstein-

I trust that you received my letter earlier this week. I just wanted to say that I heard you on the radio this morning and that you made excellent use of the little time that you had. Thank you for continuing to speak out for all of us. We’ll continue to do the same.

Sincerely-

…..

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