Capt. Ahearn:
I will plan to be there.
Rick

Unfortunately, after much work and preparation on the part of Steve Betschart and others involved in this presentation at Chemeketa College our history day has been cancelled!

Prejudicial opinion on the part of 10 - 12 students and faculty consideration for their feelings have nixed our attempt to teach history at this place. Ironic that an institution of "higher learning" is able to be bullied by a group who lacks interest in learning American history and instead runs on unfounded fears. Some comments about last years event were:

"Reenactors who put on a Confederate uniform today are doing so because they believe in the ideals of white supremacy..."

"it seemed certain that the planners and sponsors of the event were white supremacists themselves..."

"...expressed the fear they felt in their hearts when they saw reeactors in Confederate uniform on campus..."

"They felt afraid for their personal safety"


I am sad that these prejudicial attitudes exist in the educated community. They show a real need to get involved in teaching history to lower grades.

Please pass on this message to those who had planned to attend this event.

Thanks for all your efforts,
Capt. Ahearn

This is really too bad. Incredible to learn of such ignorance associated with an institution of supposed open mindedness and learning. Liberal thought (which I am prejudging these people subscribe to) is against censorship, unless I guess, it is in support of "political correctness". These "students" have prejudged in exactly the same way that they would protest if the view was against them. I bet not even one of them is aware of the tribute and respect paid to the black pioneers in a ceremony at the cemetary a couple of years ago which was participated in by many Confederate reenactors. "White Supemacists?" The students don't know anything. Maybe they should go to sensitivity training.