Statement from Clemson University

[Chris Ard]

Posting this statement because it's been discussed here.

We will of course move this over to the House Of Politics board shortly.

Released a few minutes ago:

 

[Coffee'sForClosers]

must read

 

[Johnstone D-5]

Fire them, asap.

 

[jeffcoat]

What were they fired for?

 

[TigerDMD]

I’ve heard the nationwide criticism for Clemson for not dealing with this the last few days, but I really haven’t seen anything about who the people were or what they even said.

 

[dandeman330]

I’ve heard the nationwide criticism for Clemson for not dealing with this the last few days, but I really haven’t seen anything about who the people were or what they even said.

That's not how it works nowadays. Just post something to generate outrage from the side you are supporting(right or left). Everything now is generate likes or page views regardless of the substance. A lot of the times the headline doesn't agree to what's written behind it. They just want you to click on it so the collect the ad dollars.

 

[grilled124]

What were they fired for?

Glorifying/mocking/making light of Charlie Kirk's assassination.

Clemson isn't done here. The other two need to be removed from employment from the University ASAP all 3 should have been terminated before last week ended. Immoral, vile, and despicable.

 

[tigertown85]

One of the mother effers had a PhD in Hip Hop, so there's that.

 

[RodnHe]

must read

Neal Collins is a huge liberal. That said, his premise is correct. No one should be attacked for political beliefs. However, he's just grandstanding. How many people have you seen who believe it was ok for the Hortmans to be murdered? I have not seen one professor or conservative social media personality celebrate those murders.

 

[DeathValleyHigh]

What were they fired for?

Not sure if this is a serious question or not? If it is a serious question, read the release. Edit - sorry that came of as sounding like a jackass if you were truly being serious with your question. It's really hard to tell anymore sadly.

 

[scartiger]

Any political affiliation person should be happy with anyone getting fired for the hateful rhetoric that's going on.

 

[tigertommy1]

What were they fired for?

The Dingleberry (Newberry actually) guy called for more killings in some social media posts.

I believe he was the staff member terminated today

Believe the other 2 on the firing list are actual professors

 

[jtt935]

I’ve heard the nationwide criticism for Clemson for not dealing with this the last few days, but I really haven’t seen anything about who the people were or what they even said.

This is one

 

[tboonpickens]

Neal Collins is a huge liberal. That said, his premise is correct. No one should be attacked for political beliefs. However, he's just grandstanding. How many people have you seen who believe it was ok for the Hortmans to be murdered? I have not seen one professor or conservative social media personality celebrate those murders.

I'm not celebrating anyone's murder whether it's Kirk or the Hortmans, but it's incredibly disingenuous to put the Hortmans in the same category as Kirk both in terms of profile and brand.

To your point tho, the same senator in Utah who has been front and center mourning Kirk made heinous joke tweets about the deaths of the Hortmans, including tweeting images of the murderer on their porch before they opened their door and died seconds later with the caption "NIGHTMARE ON WALZ STREET".

Our sitting president didn't bother to pick up the phone and call anyone in MN after one of his well established followers murdered Dem politicians. He didn't order flags at half mast when actual elected public servants were murdered in their homes, but he did order flags half mast and use all kinds of warmonger rhetoric when a podcaster was killed (and I again in no way celebrate Kirk's death and think political violence is disgusting and unacceptable).

 

[nmerritt11]

must read

known Neal for a long time through officiating wrestling. We used to tournaments together almost every weekend and served on the SCWOA board together. He’s never been a yes man and has always fought for what he thought was right.

I didn’t always agree with him but always respected him because he did his research and could back his point

he’s now a really respected NCAA official

 

[TC Tiger]

All should have been fired last week. These are evil, sick people.

 

[jeffcoat]

Glorifying/mocking/making light of Charlie Kirk's assassination.

Clemson isn't done here. The other two need to be removed from employment from the University ASAP all 3 should have been terminated before last week ended. Immoral, vile, and despicable.

Thanks. Glad they were fired

 

[Orange&Purple]

Glad to see Clemson finally doing the right thing here!!

 

[CUFam98]

Not a fan of cancel culture on either side.

At the same time, I get that businesses have to protect their brand.

 

[jeffcoat]

Not sure if this is a serious question or not? If it is a serious question, read the release. Edit - sorry that came of as sounding like a jackass if you were truly being serious with your question. It's really hard to tell anymore sadly.

You're good. It was a serious question. The release above didn't say what they did. Luckily another poster answered my question.

 

[dandeman330]

More than likely due to contracts or whatever they have to follow a process to terminate which may take a few days in some instances. University is not going to open itself up to a lawsuit for wrongful termination.

 

[TC Tiger]

Not a fan of cancel culture on either side.

At the same time, I get that businesses have to protect their brand.

Cancel culture? They were celebrating the assassination of an American. Some/all even encouraging more of it. Their posts also go against University policy and are not protected by the First Amendment.

 

[cemtiger]

Neal Collins is a huge liberal. That said, his premise is correct. No one should be attacked for political beliefs. However, he's just grandstanding. How many people have you seen who believe it was ok for the Hortmans to be murdered? I have not seen one professor or conservative social media personality celebrate those murders.

Neal is not a “huge liberal”. He is just a man that stands up for what he believes and doesn’t subscribe to group think.

 

[CUFam98]

Cancel culture? They were celebrating the assassination of an American. Some/all even encouraging more of it. Their posts also go against University policy and are not protected by the First Amendment.

Yes, I think people breathlessly retweeting and sending screenshots to employers begging folks to be fired or DEFUND is the definition of cancel culture.

Just because I might agree with the result doesn't make it less so.

 

[Orange&Purple]

Cancel culture? They were celebrating the assassination of an American. Some/all even encouraging more of it. Their posts also go against University policy and are not protected by the First Amendment.

^^^^THIS^^^^

 

[Clemsonu0219]

1) I do not like violations of freedom of speech of employees

2) Despicable comments by said professor

3) I do not like violations of freedom of speech of employers

4) Freedom of speech extends to the general public (of South Carolina in this case)

5) Because of 3 and 4 (notice not just 2), there has to be limitations. Meaning, if you want to say something like “Don’t have Charlie Kirk’s views”, or whatever, distasteful for the moment but not fireable. If you want to say “we should be more like the murderer and less like Charlie Kirk”…you shouldn’t rep the Paw. Start your own business, see how it works out.

 

[Coffee'sForClosers]

known Neal for a long time through officiating wrestling. We used to tournaments together almost every weekend and served on the SCWOA board together. He’s never been a yes man and has always fought for what he thought was right.

I didn’t always agree with him but always respected him because he did his research and could back his point

he’s now a really respected NCAA official

A great leader in the upstate. Wish we had thousands more just like him.

 

[cutiger4010]

Will this make Nancy Mace shut up now? I doubt it

 

[Silverstreak02]

Neal is not a “huge liberal”. He is just a man that stands up for what he believes and doesn’t subscribe to group think.

The scale of being a 'huge liberal" in South Carolina's pretty moderate, too.

 

[clempson81]

Neal is not a “huge liberal”. He is just a man that stands up for what he believes and doesn’t subscribe to group think.

I see. One moment, you celebrate an assassination. Then, when you reap the consequences of your actions, you grandstand with “all we are saying is give peace a chance.”

That’s a quality educator right there…worth every tuition penny.

 

[DeathValleyHigh]

Yes, I think people breathlessly retweeting and sending screenshots to employers begging folks to be fired or DEFUND is the definition of cancel culture.

Just because I might agree with the result doesn't make it less so.

I agree that cancel culture has gone way to far on both sides. But, I think the worst of the worst when it comes to this are the politicians. Using this example at Clemson, if alumni call for removal, I don't have an issue with that. But, when Alan Wilson, Nancy Mace, even Tim Scott go public with it, that's the biggest issue. Jim Clements and every single member of the BOT would answer their calls on the first ring. No need to air it out in public other than for show and votes.

 

[grilled124]

I'm not celebrating anyone's murder whether it's Kirk or the Hortmans, but it's incredibly disingenuous to put the Hortmans in the same category as Kirk both in terms of profile and brand.

To your point tho, the same senator in Utah who has been front and center mourning Kirk made heinous joke tweets about the deaths of the Hortmans, including tweeting images of the murderer on their porch before they opened their door and died seconds later with the caption "NIGHTMARE ON WALZ STREET".

Our sitting president didn't bother to pick up the phone and call anyone in MN after one of his well established followers murdered Dem politicians. He didn't order flags at half mast when actual elected public servants were murdered in their homes, but he did order flags half mast and use all kinds of warmonger rhetoric when a podcaster was killed (and I again in no way celebrate Kirk's death and think political violence is disgusting and unacceptable).

This type of response is more of a part of the problem than people want to admit. This is the type of response that keeps people from coming together.

If you have to start a statement or say several times, "I'm not celebrating anyone's murder", doesn't that feel off? That, to me, is the definition of "disingenuous."

This doesn't need to be about any "side" feeling like they get enough condolences from the president or anyone else. Just condemn it completely and absolutely and come together with your fellow citizen to stop the stupid bickering to make it stop. It's vile and disgusting what happened to Charlie Kirk. I don't need the president or some utah senator to validate me in believing that. Its vile and disgusting what happened in MN. I don't need the president or some utah senator to validate me in believing that.

People rely and worry so much about what trump or a utah senator or some other politician says. That's so ridiculous beyond measure when it comes to this stuff. The only response should be complete and utter condemnation, and come together with your fellow citizens to make it stop.

 

[Larry_Williams]

Neal Collins is a huge liberal. That said, his premise is correct. No one should be attacked for political beliefs. However, he's just grandstanding. How many people have you seen who believe it was ok for the Hortmans to be murdered? I have not seen one professor or conservative social media personality celebrate those murders.

He's not a huge liberal.

 

[AndersonTiger]

I don't feel sorry for anyone across the country that lost their jobs. I've seen some vile things on BlueSky. Good riddance

 

[Silverstreak02]

Will this make Nancy Mace shut up now? I doubt it

Good luck with that. She's the center ring of the goofball circus.

She had a town hall in Rock Hill a few weeks ago and she couldn't go two sentences without saying "lunatic left" "radical leftists" and "tranny." Like one of those kids toys where you pull the string and it talks.

 

[tgrharley]

I’ve heard the nationwide criticism for Clemson for not dealing with this the last few days, but I really haven’t seen anything about who the people were or what they even said.

Then you were either out of the country or under a rock

 

[Silverstreak02]

I agree that cancel culture has gone way to far on both sides. But, I think the worst of the worst when it comes to this are the politicians. Using this example at Clemson, if alumni call for removal, I don't have an issue with that. But, when Alan Wilson, Nancy Mace, even Tim Scott go public with it, that's the biggest issue. Jim Clements and every single member of the BOT would answer their calls on the first ring. No need to air it out in public other than for show and votes.

It's easier to earn political points on social media than it is to actually fix problems facing real people. Everyone on both sides is so afraid of getting a mean tweet that they'd rather practice performance politics than do their jobs.

 

[tgrharley]

Cancel culture? They were celebrating the assassination of an American. Some/all even encouraging more of it. Their posts also go against University policy and are not protected by the First Amendment.

Bingo. Tboonepickens coukd even understand this. Ummm.........nah

 

[mccadoyle]

Then you were either out of the country or under a rock

This wouldn't have crossed my radar at all if someone hadn't specifically texted me about it.

There are many people who avoid the cesspool that is politics.

I'd recommend more of yall do the same.

 

[Larry_Williams]

Cancel culture? They were celebrating the assassination of an American. Some/all even encouraging more of it. Their posts also go against University policy and are not protected by the First Amendment.

I'm guessing there were university employees somewhere who were celebrating the calls to find Mike Pence, drag him through the streets and hang him a few years ago.