Wisconsin Teacher Under Fire

For endorsing the crackpot theories of 9-11:

The instructor, Kevin Barrett, is co-founder of an organization called the Muslim-Jewish-Christian Alliance, which claims the Bush administration planned the attacks to create a war between Muslims and Christians. He argues that members of the faiths must work together to overcome the belief that terrorists were to blame.

"The 9/11 lie was designed to sow hatred between the faiths," Barrett has written on the organization's Web site.

"Either we discuss the compelling evidence that 9/11 was an inside job, or there is precious little to talk about."

Barrett, who did not return calls Thursday and an e-mail seeking comment, has taught a class on cultural folklore and is scheduled to teach an introductory class on Islam this fall in Madison. He has said he discusses his views on Sept. 11 in the classroom.

You may be surprised at my take on this. I don't see it as a big deal that the teacher's talking about his nutty ideas on 9-11. I can see the school looking into whether he's teaching the assigned subject adequately, but assuming that's the case it doesn't really bother me. He's teaching college students.