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It all depends what kind of crap you talk. There are plenty of things you just can't say and tenure won't protect you when they come for you. Ask Joshua Katz, f

It all depends what kind of crap you talk. There are plenty of things you just can't say and tenure won't protect you when they come for you. Ask Joshua Katz, formerly of Princeton. He complained very publicly and they dug up an old crime and tried him again. Suddenly the old crime that was punishable with a suspension before is now bad enough to merit firing. Note: I'm not speaking to the merits of how Princeton or Katz behaved. Only that tenure is not the license to speak that some people imagine. And if you criticize your own institution, you're bound to upset people and maybe they'll be the ones with control over the punishment process.

matthewdgreen 4y ago
From what I understand, Joshua Katz had a sexual relationship with one of his undergraduate students and behaved inappropriately with several others. When the matter was first being investigated he contacted the student directly and then failed to disclose this fact to the investigators, who then learned about it when the student filed a new complaint. I know it is fashionable to say this is about Katz's "speech" but the case would be much easier to make if he'd upheld basic standards of professional behavior (i.e., don't date or try to date your students.)
- Nasrudith 4y ago
  What disturbs me most is that Princeton acts right out of the dictator playbook - knowingly keep corrupt people with serious oustable offenses on staff to have them pre-blackmailed. To be frank this is the behavior which allows for mass sex abuse rings. Also something which statues of limitations, even not made for this purpose (limitations of investigative capabilities are more likely reason). It would still be a good fit. It is an admittedly bizzare and perverse phenomena thatnthe best defense against abuse in a judicial system has been to let the guilty go free for misconduct of others.

matthewdgreen 4y ago

From what I understand, Joshua Katz had a sexual relationship with one of his undergraduate students and behaved inappropriately with several others. When the matter was first being investigated he contacted the student directly and then failed to disclose this fact to the investigators, who then learned about it when the student filed a new complaint. I know it is fashionable to say this is about Katz's "speech" but the case would be much easier to make if he'd upheld basic standards of professional behavior (i.e., don't date or try to date your students.)

Nasrudith 4y ago
What disturbs me most is that Princeton acts right out of the dictator playbook - knowingly keep corrupt people with serious oustable offenses on staff to have them pre-blackmailed. To be frank this is the behavior which allows for mass sex abuse rings. Also something which statues of limitations, even not made for this purpose (limitations of investigative capabilities are more likely reason). It would still be a good fit. It is an admittedly bizzare and perverse phenomena thatnthe best defense against abuse in a judicial system has been to let the guilty go free for misconduct of others.