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American Morning
Professor Called for Defeat of U.S. Forces in Iraq
Aired March 31, 2003 - 08:49 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: A Columbia University professor has said he hopes to see -- quote -- "A million Mogadishus" as a consequence of the war in Iraq. He was referring to the 1993 raid in Somalia where 18 Americans were killed during a raid in Somalia. That was one of the several controversial remarks attributed to Nicholas De Genova, a professor of anthropology. Neither he nor other Columbia officials would appear this morning, but the university's president issued a statement saying, "He was shocked by the remarks."
Joining us now is Columbia senior Billy Pratt, who was very offended by what Professor De Genova said. Billy's father is a colonel serving in Kuwait with the Army.
Welcome. Good to see you.
So what did you think the first time you heard about the remarks of this professor on your campus at the time your father is serving our country?
BILLY PRATT, COLUMBIA UNIV. SENIOR: Quite shocked, sick, appalled, devastated. There's really not too many words I could come up to describe it, to accurately describe it, but I was definitely hurt by it. I mean, that was a pretty serious and sick remark that he made.
ZAHN: What kind of response did you hear on campus from other students?
PRATT: Really not much.
ZAHN: Do you think because they hadn't read the remarks in the newspaper?
PRATT: Probably because they hadn't read it, but I mean, there weren't any demonstrations or protests or anything like that. But I do know that anti-war and pro war eye like, I think he's hurting both sides.
ZAHN: Let me put up on the screen a statement of your college professor and how he responded to this controversy. He said -- quote -- "I am shocked that someone would make such statements, because of the university's tradition of academic freedom. I normally don't comment about statements made by faculty members. However, this one crosses the line, and I really feel the need to say something. I'm especially saddened for the families of those whose lives are at risk. Was that enough from the president?
PRATT: I'm pleased that he actually said something, but, to me, that's not enough.
ZAHN: What would be enough?
PRATT: He needs to be sent somewhere. He needs to get out of Columbia University, but there's no need for him to be teaching Columbia's kids anymore. I mean, there is a lot of money being paid to take those classes by him, and there's no reason why he should be teaching any kids at Columbia University.
ZAHN: I know you've heard from folks on campus who are very much opposed to the war, and they don't necessarily view themselves as anti-soldier. Do you buy that? Do you think it's possible to be committed to the troops and, at the same time, be against this war?
PRATT: I actually do think that's possible, to be ideologically against the war, but still support the troops, because that's the exact antithesis of this professor, is wishing the best for the United States troops servicemen and women, and you can still be antiwar and still support the troops, but this guy has crossed the line.
ZAHN: That's exactly what the president of your college had to say as well.
Billy Pratt, thank you for spending a little time with us this morning. Good luck to you.
PRATT: I appreciate it.
ZAHN: have you heard from your dad at all?
PRATT: Yes, he actually called me this morning.
ZAHN: Did he know anything about these remarks?
PRATT: Yes, he did.
ZAHN: And what did he say?
PRATT: He says a lot of people out there sickened by it, but proud to be in the profession that grants him the right to make those remarks.
ZAHN: That's exactly what I said he said?
PRATT: Yes.
ZAHN: Wow. Billy Pratt, thanks again.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired March 31, 2003 - 08:49 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: A Columbia University professor has said he hopes to see -- quote -- "A million Mogadishus" as a consequence of the war in Iraq. He was referring to the 1993 raid in Somalia where 18 Americans were killed during a raid in Somalia. That was one of the several controversial remarks attributed to Nicholas De Genova, a professor of anthropology. Neither he nor other Columbia officials would appear this morning, but the university's president issued a statement saying, "He was shocked by the remarks."
Joining us now is Columbia senior Billy Pratt, who was very offended by what Professor De Genova said. Billy's father is a colonel serving in Kuwait with the Army.
Welcome. Good to see you.
So what did you think the first time you heard about the remarks of this professor on your campus at the time your father is serving our country?
BILLY PRATT, COLUMBIA UNIV. SENIOR: Quite shocked, sick, appalled, devastated. There's really not too many words I could come up to describe it, to accurately describe it, but I was definitely hurt by it. I mean, that was a pretty serious and sick remark that he made.
ZAHN: What kind of response did you hear on campus from other students?
PRATT: Really not much.
ZAHN: Do you think because they hadn't read the remarks in the newspaper?
PRATT: Probably because they hadn't read it, but I mean, there weren't any demonstrations or protests or anything like that. But I do know that anti-war and pro war eye like, I think he's hurting both sides.
ZAHN: Let me put up on the screen a statement of your college professor and how he responded to this controversy. He said -- quote -- "I am shocked that someone would make such statements, because of the university's tradition of academic freedom. I normally don't comment about statements made by faculty members. However, this one crosses the line, and I really feel the need to say something. I'm especially saddened for the families of those whose lives are at risk. Was that enough from the president?
PRATT: I'm pleased that he actually said something, but, to me, that's not enough.
ZAHN: What would be enough?
PRATT: He needs to be sent somewhere. He needs to get out of Columbia University, but there's no need for him to be teaching Columbia's kids anymore. I mean, there is a lot of money being paid to take those classes by him, and there's no reason why he should be teaching any kids at Columbia University.
ZAHN: I know you've heard from folks on campus who are very much opposed to the war, and they don't necessarily view themselves as anti-soldier. Do you buy that? Do you think it's possible to be committed to the troops and, at the same time, be against this war?
PRATT: I actually do think that's possible, to be ideologically against the war, but still support the troops, because that's the exact antithesis of this professor, is wishing the best for the United States troops servicemen and women, and you can still be antiwar and still support the troops, but this guy has crossed the line.
ZAHN: That's exactly what the president of your college had to say as well.
Billy Pratt, thank you for spending a little time with us this morning. Good luck to you.
PRATT: I appreciate it.
ZAHN: have you heard from your dad at all?
PRATT: Yes, he actually called me this morning.
ZAHN: Did he know anything about these remarks?
PRATT: Yes, he did.
ZAHN: And what did he say?
PRATT: He says a lot of people out there sickened by it, but proud to be in the profession that grants him the right to make those remarks.
ZAHN: That's exactly what I said he said?
PRATT: Yes.
ZAHN: Wow. Billy Pratt, thanks again.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
