Florida Professor says Sandy Hook Massacre didn't happen

[obamanut2012]

It was all a conspiracy by Obama. The kids were brainwashed to lie.

"A communication professor known for conspiracy theories has stirred controversy at Florida Atlantic University with claims that last month's Newtown, Conn., school shootings did not happen as reported — or may not have happened at all.

Moreover, James Tracy asserts in radio interviews and on his memoryholeblog.com. that trained "crisis actors" may have been employed by the Obama administration in an effort to shape public opinion in favor of the event's true purpose: gun control.

"As documents relating to the Sandy Hook shooting continue to be assessed and interpreted by independent researchers, there is a growing awareness that the media coverage of the massacre of 26 children and adults was intended primarily for public consumption to further larger political ends," writes Tracy, a tenured associate professor of media history at FAU and a former union leader." <snip>

Read more:

http://www.wptv.com//dpp/news/region_s_palm_beach_county/boca_raton/james-tracy-fau-communication-professor-stirs-controversy-by-disputing-newtown-massacre

***************************************

A friend of my niece's had him at FAU, and said he was ALWAYS bringing up CTs in class, and was a horrible professor.

The article is worth a read. As are the bonkers comments.

[Bjorn Against]

1. I am all for academic freedom, but how the hell is this academic?

I can't believe this nut is actually a professor.

[obamanut2012]

5. My niece said her friend said he gave bad grades to students

Who laughed or scoffed at his off the cuff CT rants in class. He was given an F, but was able to get the grade changed to an A.

[yellowcanine]

88. Academic freedom doesn't give one the right to make up shit.

If this guy spoke in the name of the university they should fire him.
If he doesn't invoke the name of the university in his blog or use university resources he probably is ok. But he is still a doofus.

[Hoyt]

2. Sounds like a Gungeoneer. Several claimed "Fast and Furious" was a ploy to enact gun controls.

Can you believe folks that paranoid actually walk around in public with a gun or two tucked away?

[LCH]

32. What is your

explanation for illegally suppling mexican drug cartels with deadly weapons of mass death and Hodder's refusal to come clean?

I only ask because I've never a plusable explanation.

[kydo]

34. and you probably won't in this thread

as its kind od off topic.

[MichaelHarris]

37. I can answer that dumb-ass question

It was to identify and shut down weapon pipelines from the United States to Mexico. It actually worked very well in proving that said pipeline exists. You may not like it, bit it exists and this program uncovered it.

[bongbong]

49. He got a fast pizza

Skinner must have the "30 minutes or it's free" delivery guarantee system working really good now.

[JaneyVee]

54. The fact that Bush started it.

[Dokkie]

80. You mean the Bush admin

most of the same people believe orchestrated the 911 attacks to start a wars for oil in the ME?

[nadinbrzezinski]

57. Ill conceived program

To try to stop something the Mexican Government has demanded for the last ten years...now three Mexican administrations. Fast and Furious provided them 0.000000000000000001% of what enters the country from Straw purchases every year.

Oh my sources...Periodico Reforma, Excelsior, El Heraldo and a few other Mexican papers. Oh this traffic started in the mid 1980s with a stop of a particular family of weapons during the AWB era.

Anything else you want to know? But seriously...ill conceived does not start to describe it.

[thucythucy]

64. "Deadly weapons of mass death"

Glad to see you at least understand what these guns really are.

[CreekDog]

3. yikes

but then again, a segment of society, that is growing, has been determined to operate on things other than facts and evidence for their information and conclusions.

[11 Bravo]

4. Imagine how difficult it must have been to convince 20 sets of parents ...

to either hide their children away, or bury them alive.
Sometimes I'm embarrassed to be a human being.

[obamanut2012]

6. I know -- despicable

[LisaLynne]

13. Except that this waste of air doesn't need any attention ...

and the parents don't need to be put through any more, I would freaking DARE him to go and say that to some of the parents of the poor children who were killed.

[malaise]

21. +1,000

[quinnox]

7. Apparently he teaches a course on conspiracy

So I see nothing that unusual in that he is a fan of conspiracy theories. Personally, I think everything should be questioned, and not just swallowed unquestioningly like sheep when an official version of events is given. Does that mean I believe there was a conspiracy around the shooting, nope. But it does mean I have an open mind.

[obamanut2012]

11. So, someone teaching a WWII class can give Nazi screeds in class

And on social media? That would be okay, since s/he teaches a WWII class?

uh huh

[quinnox]

15. in the article, he does seem to get some support

Robert Shibley, an official with the Philadelphia-based Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, said Tracy is well within his rights of free speech, especially when teaching a course on conspiracy theory.

"The only way that a university would have a right to tone it down, or insist he stop talking about it, is if students come to him and say they find it disturbing," said Shibley. "People are allowed to talk about things that are upsetting — for example, abortion."



I think this Shibley fellow makes a good point. Free speech is a pretty important foundation for our democracy, methinks.

[obamanut2012]

28. I teach in higher education

Professors and instructors do not have carte blanche in the classroom.

And, the WWII analogy I used is a legit and appropriate one.

[politicat]

65. Where was Shilbey when Ward Churchill was irritating (non-student) conservatives?

Um... not here. Not speaking out.

I wasn't working for CU when that mess started, but I've seen how it has silenced a lot of tenured academics.

It's not a principled stand if it's only taken when convenient.

[11 Bravo]

17. So, tell us, if you accept that it is remotely fucking possible that President Obama ...

was somehow connected to the deaths of those students and teachers (and if you think it even needs to be questioned, there is no other assumption to be made); then for Heaven's sake, enlighten us as to your views on the lunar landing.

[quinnox]

19. um, I said I didn't believe in a conspiracy around sandy hook

So you need to read my post again, you missed that part. I simply said I tend to have an open mind and not automatically swallow official versions of events as gospel. I know that is uncommon, but that is how I am.

The moon landing is not something that is even remotely part of this conversation. But yes, I do believe the United States has landed on the moon.

[obamanut2012]

30. You stated we need to keep an open mind about what happened

[quinnox]

36. I didn't say "we", but sure, I think it is good to keep an open mind

Have you ever looked into the Columbine school shootings? I was recently looking into it, and you would be surprised about how many things went on, that are not part of the "official" version of what happened. For example, there were many high school kids who were there and at the time said they witnessed multiple shooters, apparently some were wearing black masks, and several witnesses said the shooters they saw were not the two shooters officially known, in terms of height and physical descriptions, that were found dead in the library.

[zappaman]

91. aye yi yi

[LanternWaste]

46. I think there's a rather large difference between

I think there's a rather large difference between prudently disseminating information, and simply denying off hand for no other reason than because it's the common narrative.

I know that is quite common, but that is how I am...

[KittyWampus]

40. I was going to mention "the Holocaust never happened"

[snooper2]

86. Did you know everything you post on the Internet is fed into one giant supercomputer

That in 23 years will have all knowledge from everyone?

[Incitatus]

8. It was only a matter of time before they said Obama

was behind the shootings. I wonder what took them so long.

[Brother Buzz]

18. Orly Taitz has been out front on this, just not on the same page as this wackadoodle professor

Orly Taitz Blames Sandy Hook Massacre On Obama

12/18/2012

Birther queen Orly Taitz blames President Barack Obama for the Sandy Hook school massacre, saying the president is "trying to show that some person can appear out of the blue and slaughter people" so he can ban guns and "gain an absolute power."

Taitz, an attorney and dentist from California, has been using her website in recent days to raise conspiracy theories about the school shooting, which left 28 people, including 20 children, the shooter and his mother. Taitz questioned whether Adam Lanza, 20, who police have identified as the killer, could have been under mind control or drugged to fulfill a political mission.

Taitz wrote on her website:

Where was Adam Lanza in the days leading to the massacre? Was he handled by someone? Was he drugged? Was he subjected to hypnosis?

The word assassin comes from the Arabic word “Hashish”, name for a drug, I believe correct translation is opium. For thousands of years, since ancient times assassins were drugged.

Was Adam Lanza drugged and hypnotised by his handlers to make him into a killing machine as an excuse as the regime is itching to take all means of self defense from the populace before the economic collapse?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/18/orly-taitz-sandy-hook-obama_n_2325671.html

[Fawke Em]

58. What a stupid twit.

The word is a derivative of Hassassin, which is NOT Hashish.

Good God.

[hughee99]

20. Hey, if Bush could be behind hurricanes, tsunamis and Natalie Holloway's disappearance

I'm sure Obama could manage a shooting.

[alp227]

68. no one really BLAMED Bush for causing Katrina but rather bad handling of it.

And c'mon, tsunamis and Holloway? I've followed politics in general since 04/05 and left wing politics since 06/07 and NEVER heard any of those anti Bush arguments. False equivalency right there.

[hughee99]

70. Check out the wacky HAARP weather machine conspiracy websites.

I'm not saying CREDIBLE people are claiming it, just that you can find conspiracy theories for all of the things I've outlined. To be honest, the conspiracy theory I heard about Holloway had Karl Rove behind it, not Bush.

[demwing]

9. someone's gonna lose his tenure...

Someone's gonna lose his job....

[obamanut2012]

12. I think so, too

Especially with so many students saying how he punished them for disagreeing with his views.

[Paladin]

45. The Sooner The Better. (nt)

[KamaAina]

10. Alex Jones, pickup on Line One...

Alex Jones, Line One.

[Buns_of_Fire]

14. Proof that possession of a PhD is no guarantee of sanity.

http://www.fau.edu/scms/tracy.php

[reformist2]

16. We really do need to reopen the insane asylums.

[Viking12]

22. Why am I reminded of a saying about open minds and brains falling out?

Carl Sagan - "It pays to keep an open mind, but not so open your brains fall out."

[WinkyDink]

23. There are conspiracy theories, and then there are insane claims. They differ.

[obamanut2012]

27. Great way to put it

[WinkyDink]

81. :-)

[lapislzi]

24. Super! I'll just call my friend and tell him to pick up his son

He'll be so relieved to know that his 6-year-old is NOT DEAD. That the body in the casket was a dummy. That his child wasn't murdered by a monster.

[madrchsod]

25. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dirty Socialist]

29. Fire his ass!!!

I tired of this shit!

[Cha]

31. He should be Fired for being too stupid to teach.

[Johonny]

33. what political end was furthered?

as far as I can tell it allowed a lot of gun wacko's to get national air time to scare the * out of ppl. If making a fool of yourself is part of the conspiracy than THIS GUY MUST BE IN ON IT!!!!!

Were through the looking glass here ppl.

[CTyankee]

35. AS Molly Ivins would say, "This boy's not right..."

[Buzz Clik]

38. Another 15 minutes of fame for this narcissist?

[allrevvedup]

39. Who said "It was all a conspiracy by Obama. The kids were brainwashed to lie"?

Is it in the article at the link?

[obamanut2012]

41. How else can you take what he said?!

He says Obama and the Admin planned it, and thus everyone involved lied to the cops and media.

[allrevvedup]

43. But did Tracy say that, or did you say it?

In your OP it looks like Tracy said it, but I don't see it anywhere in the linked article.

[Lex]

47. Do you see quotation marks in the OP to indicate

that it was a quote?

[allrevvedup]

48. I see an article, then a link, then a line of asterisks setting off the OP's remarks.

That's standard DU format for posting an article in LBN, where inserted remarks are not permitted. And the quotation marks aren't used consistently enough to mean anything.

[Lex]

50. Quotation marks do mean something actually.

And this isn't LBN.

In fact, in GD commentary or interpretation is allowed, even in the subject line. If it's a quote, quotation marks are used.

Cheers.

[allrevvedup]

53. They might, if used consistently. The thread title is also inacccurate.

Since someone's livelihood is being threatened, I'd say using misleading language to spread online rumors is not a good use of DU. If he said something the OP doesn't like, s/he should quote him or the article about him accurately.

[obamanut2012]

73. lol

I am so glad you are outraged at my outrage of the CT Prof, and have graded my OP format an F.

[Lex]

83. I know, right?

Laughable.

[obamanut2012]

85. I consider it a badge of honor!

[obamanut2012]

72. Did I use quotations amrks?

No.

Good god.

[arthritisR_US]

42. To me he shouldn't be allowed to teach.

[LynnTTT]

44. Fairies!

I think there are fairies living under the rose bush in my back yard.... And you can't prove they aren't so my opinion is equally as valid as yours. Right?

[obamanut2012]

75. What does that have to do with Obq`ma planning Newtown Massacre?

Which is a lie.

[Larrymoe Curlyshemp]

51. Florida

(I was born in Ft. Myers, so I can say that.)

[Jefferson23]

52. This guy takes the cake..never heard of such a jerk in my life. n/t

[Viking12]

60. You never heard of the truthers?

Not coincidentally, this moron appeared on the podcast of another fake academic, Kevin Barret, that also used his academic position to push crazy ass nonsense about 911.

[Jefferson23]

74. Honestly, no..not someone in a teaching position. He's a pathetic character. n/t

[Initech]

55. Tell that to the parents of the dead kids.

[Starry Messenger]

56. I hate people.

[niyad]

59. Backpfeifengesicht (German): A face badly in need of a fist

this useful word was posted in an earlier thread here on DU. I would hereby like to apply it
to that idiot purporting to be a professor.

[kestrel91316]

61. I suppose he'd like to explain to the medical examiner and the parents

exactly how their apparently dead children are NOT REALLY DEAD??

[sellitman]

62. This reminds me of why I love my Black Lab so much

He isnt human.

[TheMadMonk]

63. How about slander lawsuits from every single parent.

Let them declare the only acceptable "settlement" his having "I am a lying sack of shit" tattooed across his face.

[obamanut2012]

76. You know, that would be an interesting lawsuit

[jsr]

66. It didn't happen because there are no pics of the 6-year-old who took 11 bullets?

This goddamn 'professor' is a piece of trash.

[obamanut2012]

77. Yeah, no crime scene or coroner's photos

Of dead kids and schoolteachers and administrators.

I recently saw a b/w CCTV video of the Columbine killers, and even THAT was upsetting, and all they were doing was walking around the empty cafeteria shooting their guns.

[Blue_Tires]

90. Maybe he'll take a trip of to CT and do his own "research"

I'd love to see the locals' reaction while he interviewed police, survivors, and witnesses as he tries to reconstruct a second-by-second timeline like it's 1963 Dallas or something...

[ellie]

67. Again, I think we have to do something about

getting people the mental health counseling some of them so desperately need.

[alp227]

69. even people like this professor simply for thinking the wrong things?

Be careful where you're going. You never know if your plans may cause some of US to be targeted.

[ellie]

89. In my opinion, there

is a big difference between having a different point of view than other people and believing in something so incredibly nuts it is beyond reason. Maybe I should have phrased it as follows: We need to do something about de-stigmatizing mental health issues so people aren't scared or ashamed to seek the help they so desperately need.

[Warren DeMontague]

71. Of course it didn't, because I'm actually a head in a jar, dreaming all of this.

none. of. you. are. real. OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

[napoleon_in_rags]

78. You know, I've been known to rock a tinfoil hat...

Especially with regards to technology. I believe there's crazy stuff out there we don't know about...

But what too many conspiracy theories have devolved to is slandering, blaming innocent people and most often the victims of crimes. Where does this guy get off blaming elementary school kids who just saw their classmates murdered in front of them as liars? CT which raises questions, while using the holy words "I don't know the truth" is fine, CT which points fingers is flithy slander and propaganda 99% of the time.

[obamanut2012]

84. Good post

[SummerSnow]

79. NRA and othets want a National Registry of people

with mental illness? Then there should be a National Registry for dumbasses..

[Dokkie]

82. Here is Dr. James F Tracy talking about education

with a conspiratorial angle and I have to say he doesn't sound that crazy to me. Which is one reason I would have loved to hear him say this in his own words

Next is some strange information about the Newton massacre. Not saying it was the gubberment that did it but you decide.

[Sheepshank]

87. Oh, for crappin' on a crutch

the attempt to make himself important and relevant is backfiring. He's making himself into an ignorant asshole instead.