Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Welcome

For those discovering the blog through the publication of Until Proven Innocent or through Good Morning America: Welcome. I first turned my attention to the Duke case after an April 2006 ad signed by 88 members of the Duke arts and sciences faculty. The ad stated unequivocally that something “happened” to Crystal Mangum; and said “thank you” to protesters who, among other things, had carried “CASTRATE” banners and blanketed the campus with “wanted” posters of the lacrosse team. The professors’ decision to sign the ad betrayed the ideals of their—and my—profession.

Since last April, the blog has had more than 1000 posts, focused on the twin themes of Mike Nifong’s massive prosecutorial misconduct and the “academic McCarthyism” evident in the reaction to the case by Duke faculty “activists.” But the blog also has analyzed the media coverage of the case, political events, and the role of the Durham police.

In the weeks since the book has gone to press, the blog has featured comprehensive coverage (from Durham) of Nifong’s ethics and criminal contempt trials, as well as profiles of the scholarship and teaching of some Group of 88 members.

Advance praise for Until Proven Innocent includes the following, from a diverse array of people and organizations:

John Grisham: “Brutally honest, unflinching, exhaustively researched, and compulsively readable, Until Proven Innocent excoriates those who led the stampede—the prosecutor, the cops, the media—but it also exposes the cowardice of Duke’s administration and faculty. Until Proven Innocent smothers any lingering doubts that in this country the presumption of innocence is dead, dead, dead.”

ACLU president Nadine Strossen: “This compelling narrative dramatizes the fearsome power of unscrupulous police and prosecutors to wreck the lives of innocent people, especially when the media and many in the community rush to presume guilt. The inspiring story of how the defense lawyers turned the tables on a dishonest DA points to the crying need for reforms to give defendants of modest means a fighting chance when law enforcement goes bad.”

Political columnist George Will: “In what surely is this year’s most revealing, scalding and disturbing book on America’s civic culture, the authors demonstrate that the Duke case was symptomatic of the dangerous decay of important institutions—legal, academic, and journalistic. . . . With this meticulous report, the guilty have at last been indicted and convicted.”

Newsweek editor Evan Thomas: “In their vivid, at times chilling account, the authors are contemptuous of prosecutor Mike Nifong, whom the North Carolina legal establishment disbarred for his by now well-documented misconduct . . . but their most biting scorn is aimed at the ‘academic McCarthyism’ that they say has infected top-rated American universities like Duke."

Former US Attorney General William P. Barr: “A gripping, meticulous, blow-by-blow account of the whole grotesque affair. It is beautifully written, dramatic, and full of insights, exposing how vulnerable the prosecutorial system is to abuse and how ready the liberal media and PC academics are to serve as leaders of the lynch mob. A must read for anyone who cares about individual rights and justice.”

NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw: “This is a tale of grace and disgrace, researched in detail and clearly written. All of us face adversity in our lives, but thankfully very few face the adversity of national press coverage, being abandoned by those who should have defended us, and the possibility of a 30 year prison term for something which was a transparent lie. The Duke lacrosse hoax is fundamentally a tale of incredible courage and integrity on the part of the falsely indicted players, their families, their defense team, a few of their faculty (particularly Professor James Coleman), and the entire Duke lacrosse team, including their current and former coach. Theirs is a tale of incredible grace under searing pressure. People in positions of power and authority-such as prosecutors, police, and university leaders—carry the responsibility to find and defend the truth. Unfortunately, their tale is one of disgrace—and they are the authors of that disgrace. Stuart Taylor and KC Johnson have written a great book which chronicles a tale as old as humanity—the difficult but always worthwhile triumph of honesty and integrity over those who abuse power.”

ABC News legal correspondent Jan Crawford Greenberg: “A chilling, gripping account of how our judicial system can go terribly wrong. This is an important book that brings the Duke story to life and exposes troubling facts about our justice system and our citadels of higher learning. You may think you know the Duke story—but you don’t until you read this book.”

Time columnist Michael Kinsley: “The analysis of the notorious Duke rape case in this book is hard to accept. According to Stuart Taylor and KC Johnson, this episode was not just a terrible injustice to three young men. It exposed a fever of political correctness that is more virulent than ever on American campuses and throughout society. . . Unfortunately for doubts, the authors lay out the facts with scrupulous care. This is a thorough and absorbing history of a shameful episode.”

TalkLeft publisher Jeralyn Merritt: “Anyone interested in this travesty of a prosecution simply must read this book.”

GQ: KC Johnson embedded with the Duke lacrosse team amid the scandal that nearly tore apart the school. The result, UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT (cowritten with Stuart Taylor Jr.) is the definitive account of the team’s head-on collision with political correctness and judicial posturing—and a disturbing, often embarrassing look at how the university sold out its own.”

Kirkus Reviews: “Hot-off-the-press reprobation of the badly flawed indictment process in this notorious incident . . . In this era of in-your-face Michael Moore–style media screeds, we all might be excused for being unresponsive to the promise of yet another exposé of yet another outrage. However, unlike our experience with Moore, who specializes in breathtaking generalities and over-spun characterizations, we are here flogged with innumerable details, each well reported and each implacably pointing to the same conclusion: The players were railroaded . . . The authors single out in particular the utter collapse of due process for accused students at a highly respected school. A cautionary tale for all readers.”

257 comments:

1 – 200 of 257   Newer›   Newest»
Anonymous said...

Thanks for all you've done, Professor Johnson.

Anonymous said...

Will the New York Times give your book a review?

Debrah said...

What a great GQ critique!

KC Johnson embedded with the Duke lacrosse team amid the scandal that nearly tore apart the school. The result, UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT (cowritten with Stuart Taylor Jr.) is the definitive account of the team’s head-on collision with political correctness and judicial posturing—and a disturbing, often embarrassing look at how the university sold out its own.”

Anonymous said...

What a year and a half, eh KC? You deserve every accolade you have received or will receive. Good luck in Israel, where we expect you to solve all the problems there. :)

R.R. Hamilton

Debrah said...

Don't forget the Good Morning America interview in the morning at (8:30AM), everyone.

A great night!

wayne fontes said...

The book is done and your opponents have been humiliated. Well done KC. I want to know how you will spend your free time. I'm hoping you don't go back to writing about congress. I think Menkenesque crusades suit you well.

I propose focusing on the 911 truther movement. That would be fun!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, KC, on behalf of all the "dumb jocks" (I swam in the NCAA College Division meets - now known as Div III) and all the Duke alum (did my graduate work at Duke).

Gary Packwood said...

Debrah 12:16 said...
...What a great GQ critique!
...KC Johnson embedded with the Duke lacrosse team amid the scandal that nearly tore apart the school. The result, UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT (cowritten with Stuart Taylor Jr.) is the definitive account of the team’s head-on collision with political correctness and judicial posturing—and a disturbing, often embarrassing look at how the university sold out its own.
::
I never thought about KC being embedded with the Duke University lacrosse team which he is of course and that is a big part of genius behind the Durham in Wonderland blog.

I just never thought about it.

Thanks Debrah.
::
GP

Anonymous said...

KC --

Thank you for an entertaining, but more importantly, an educational 17 months.

I'm looking forward to confirming that your book exceeds the rave reviews.

All the best to you in Israel and beyond.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Professor Johnson!! Another stunning week for Wonderland Wonks---Mr. Nifong convicted and sentenced to JAIL and your book detailing for posterity who and what else gorged on the blood of innocents released to rousing acclaim and bestseller status. This is truly a glorious moment in this miserable, despicable episode, rivaling even Mr. Cooper's proclamation of INNOCENCE. Surely the exoneration is now complete.

Observer

Anonymous said...

K.C., is there any chance you might keep the blog alive with occasional posts from Israel? I, for one, would love to gain a picture of the Middle East from a wonderful scholar, analyst and writer that I have come to trust.

Thank you for everything you've done here!

Anonymous said...

In the anals of blogging I don't think there is another case where somebody has dedicated so much time and effort to expose the evil mind of an individual, obsessed with political power.
Thank you, Professor Johnson for making me aware of the magnitude of criminal intent perpetuated by Nifong, Gottlieb, Meehan and the infamaous incitement of the 88Gang. Living close to New Haven, I am almost embarrassed that Brodhead comes from Yale. He should have stayed here and enjoy New England weather. The reasonable thing to do now would be to "resign for health reasons". He is not fit to be a President of any university.

Anonymous said...

KC, there are moments in history when an event happens, after which things are no longer the same. Your blog has been one of those moments.

You were one single person tapping on the keys of your computer in Brooklyn as you fought for justice for three complete strangers in a small southern town. Because you spoke up, you inspired others to do so which ultimately resulted in a groundswell of indignation that in time caused the unheard of spectacle of an Attorney General mounting a podium on April 11, 2007 to declare that those three strangers whom you'd championed were totally and completely 'innocent'.

It is true the integrity and courage of these three young men contributed heavily to that final verdict, as did the support of their families and the work of outstanding attorneys. Yet that does not detract from the monumental impact your single blog made.

Over a century ago another man took up his own solitary crusade as he also wrote against injustice in a far off place. The man was Edmund Dene Morel and his furious writing, endless letters, his insistent pamphlets on the slave trade in the Congo ultimately succeeded in destroying the awesome power of its originator, King Leopold of Belgium.

I feel it is no injustice to compare you to such a man as Morel. Both of you are the same in that each of you understood that evil triumphs if good men do nothing. Morel refused to do nothing - and you refused as well.

For that, KC, you deserve deepest thanks.

Anonymous said...

KC,

You have truly been an inspiration to me this past year. I have been to the mountain as an academic, and left in disgust when I realized that those not "toeing the party line" would not be welcome for long. I also was a jock (played lacrosse) in college, and have more recently a supporter through volunteer work of school and little league athletics. My interest in seeing this case unfold has been very personal and gripping. You have made it possible for me to be here at my home in Texas and yet be able to follow the day to day happenings in NC. This has been an outstanding education in civics in the USA in 2006-2007. Thank you so much. Like others here, I will miss your posts, and would hope that you will consider a new blog from Israel to illuminate us on what life there is like and what we need to know about that.

With warmest regards, and best wishes...

Tony Anderson, M.D.
Fort Worth

One Spook said...

KC:

I can only add my thanks as others have done.

I became involved in this Blog because I saw one Professor who cared ... one Professor who stood for what I had always believed were the best virtues of the academy.

With the awesome power granted to tenured professors in the academy comes an obligation and a higher responsibility than that granted to others.

By relentlessly seeking the truth and by remaining true to the very best traditions of the academy, you have been an inspiration to millions.

It is no accident that the lamp is a symbol of education ... thank you for carrying the torch to light our way.

One Spook

Anonymous said...

Hopefully the press generated from the book will encourage some of the members of the 88 to look in the mirror and evaluate their actions. But I'm not holding my breath in anticipation of anything but continued silence and dishonesty.

Congratulations President Broadhead and members of the 88, you've cemented your place in history.

Anonymous said...

its not over until broadrot apologizes and is exiled from duke..along with the group of 88 harassers

Anonymous said...

Is Duke a state school?

Anonymous said...

I join with the compadres of this riotous comment stream in thanks to KC Johnson for the finest writing of history-in-the-making that I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing.

For years, beginning for me in mid-60s Berkeley, the looming wave of political correctness growing out of the anti-American left has felt like a seemingly irresistable threat, given that it seized control of first the media (through which the American public receives its daily indoctrination in current events) and then the academy (through which our children gain their corrosive received wisdom).

But now we have the appearance of this book and its at-last sufficient illumination of the cynical manipulation, by the entrenched PC tribes - media, academics, and corrupt politicians - of a perverted concept of 'civil rights' in order to perpetuate class warfare and to gain raw power at the expense of justice. I can now hope that enough true liberals will be moved by 'Until Proven Innocent' that this horrible tide might some day be reversed.

My best wishes to Professor Johnson and Stuart Taylor in all future endeavors. They'll face some furious enemies among the tribes whose slimy actions they have documented and made public. Some of us - you will learn who we are - will be more than ready in future to stand in support, should the need arise. At the very least, ready to duke it out in the lower levels of comment streams with the orcs and goblins of the anti-repentant group of 88...

Anonymous said...

Thank you Professor Johnson. I eagerly await your book. I found that it will be available at Duke bookstores (I am not a Duke student, but the internet is a wonderful investigative tool). 1-1 odds that it outsells the combined works of the Group of 88. Congratulations and that you again for your tireless efforts.

Anonymous said...

KC,

Just ordered your book. Hope you sell 999,999 more. After following DIW for many months, I'm as anxious to see and hear you on GMA as I am to read the book. I hope the interviewer asks open ended questions that allow you and Stuart to tell what the book is all about.

Anonymous said...

"True greatness consists in the use of a powerful understanding to enlighten oneself and others.”
-- Voltaire

Thank you, Professor Johnson

Anonymous said...

Can we get signed copies?

AJ

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much Prof. Johnson. For everything.

Anonymous said...

"...Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children..." - Jules, Pulp Fiction

There are few times when one is at the right place at the right time. Fewer still when one understands that one is at the right place at the right time. And fewest of all when one righteously acts when one is at the right place at the right time.

Most important, as Carolyn noted above, you acted...

Thank you K.C. Johnson.

Anonymous said...

The reviews just put in print what those of us who have followed DIW knew already.

KC, you're grrrrrreeat!

Anonymous said...

KC,
We feel as though we know you and you have been our professor for the past year and a half. If only we could fill out your evaluations for you at Brooklyn College.
You are grrrrrreeat! in every sense of the word. Though I've never met you, you are closer to me than some of my cousins@@ Thanks for being a real part of my family.

Anonymous said...

" . . . is there any chance you might keep the blog alive with occasional posts from Israel? I, for one, would love to gain a picture of the Middle East from a wonderful scholar, analyst and writer that I have come to trust."

Great question. Please think about it, KC.

Anonymous said...

KC,

I agree with all of the above! You are GREAT!

I pre-ordered your book months ago from Amazon. I am still waiting for it today. Can't wait to read it!

All our love! We will always be here for you!

joe sweet said...

kc,

Can't thank you enough for all you've accomplished with this blog, and now with your book that chronicles one of the biggest Hoaxes in US history.

I have been a daily reader and periodic poster of this blog for over a year, and it was chilling to read a mainstream media piece on the Hoax, then check DIW for the REAL truth instead of what was reported.

This whole DIW experience has been an eye-opener, and I will forever view the world in not quite the same way as a result of KC's important work. I am jaded yes, but also reassured that in some instances where justice seems impossible to achieve, kc's blog quietly entered the fray and helped the wheels of justice slowly turn to deliver a more than reasonable outcome.

KC, you are a true inspiration and a beacon of hope. Without a doubt, I will be buying your book, and hope some day to meet you and get my copy autographed.

Thanks so much.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, KC, on your well-deserved success with the book, and your ongoing blog.

We will miss you as you depart for Israel.

It would be a pleasant and affirming denoument, to have Brodhead and the Allen Building, and the Despicable 88 turned out, rather than allowed to retrench, but that is perhaps too much to hope for.

I do wish you wouldn't cite the backstabbing effette girly man Evan Thomas. He is dishonest, and without a shred of credibility on the Nifong Mangum conspiracy.

Every good wish, sst

Anonymous said...

Congratulations KC, you have been an amazing source for the truth in this matter. No PC filters. Just a razor sharp and exhaustive marking of the trail of lies and misinformation that has come from the false accuser, the gang of 88 and Brodhead, the police, Nifong and company and importantly, the media. Bravo!

I only wish that the false accuser had been charged. She has walked free after creating a nuclear bomb's worth of chaos. She needs to be held accountable no matter what her mental health status.

Anonymous said...

I would have much more confidence in K. C. Johnson as president of Duke University that I do in Richard Brodhead, who in his moment of crisis, thought not what he could do to defend the civil liberties of members of his own community under attack by a ruthless prosecutor, but rather thought only of defending his prescious career.

Shame, Brodhead... you must resign, NOW!

Anonymous said...

There is an old Gaelic phrase that I am very sure of today.
"Friends are good on the day of battle."
When I think of the danger those kids were in I still feel a chill. When I think of the absolutely world class efforts of KC and many others to right this wrong I still feel proud of being a member of the human race.
This saga is for the ages, as far as I am concerned. The good guys (and the bad guys) will be discussed around our campfires for a long, long time and this blog and the new book will have been a big part of the reason.

Anonymous said...

What, no advance praise from Bob Ashley? Oh, well...

Anonymous said...

KC well done on The World Tonight interview.

If asked again about the young men's relationship with Duke (graduation/enrollment status) you might mention that Evan's had his first job offer revoked.

Didn't Evans have to secure Johns Hopkins transfer hours in order to graduate? After Curtis executed her egregious grade retaliation plan?

Again, well done...clear, concise, and articulate.

The duty of the message is with the sender.

What is the excuse of the paid professional academicians at Duke who have such difficulty in communicating? That is, after all, what they are paid to do...communicate.

Anonymous said...

Good job, KC. In looking at the minimal good in the DPD, you have noted Officers Shelton and Hinman. Do not overlook the evolution of Linwood Wilson, who in December properly evaluated Ms. Magnum and counseled Nifong to drop the "...."

Anonymous said...

The Good Morning America website lists Taylor as the copyright holder.

"Copyright © 2007 by Stuart Taylor Jr. All rights reserved."

What exactly did you do for the book?

Debrah said...

The GMA interview was the most close-to-perfect one I have seen.

KC was magnifico!

Both he and Stuart minced no words and it was fun to watch.

KC had on his signature bowtie (a bright blue one) and looked as if he had just come over from Wall Street.

BTW, he has perfect teeth. LIS!

A very good show and a great ad for the book.

Anonymous said...

Great appearance on GMA. Hope it generates interest in what is going on in American academia.

Stuart McGeady said...

Did I spy little Duke lacrosse sticks on KC's bow tie?

Anonymous said...

"You cannot stop Professor Johnson. You can only hope to contain him."

Debrah said...

TO Stu Daddy--

You might have.

Wouldn't that be clever?

I thought KC looked so professional......as if he does this kind of thing everyday.

Impressive.

:>)

Anonymous said...

I, also, will miss the fine writing that has been the trademark of this blog.

I will add one comment on a subject that has continued to perplex me: Nifong’s apparent belief that “something happened”. It has manifested itself with his demeanor, his lack of any true remorse, his non-apology apologies and his referral, even at this stage, to CGM as the victim. With all the evidence to the contrary, he holds to a position that is unsupportable. He appears now to be a fool.

Is this denial a defense mechanism to prevent him from accepting what he did?

Ken
Dallas

Anonymous said...

During the next year at least one of the following is likely to happen:
1. President Brodhead resigns
2. Crystal claims another gang rape and suffers an overdose
3. Durham police beat up a Duke student
4. The Feds begin an investigation
5. One of the 88-ers speaks out
6. The civil suits begin

When it happens where will we turn if DiW is no longer here? We need an emergency plan in place. Please, K.C.

Anonymous said...

During the next year at least one of the following is likely to happen:
1. President Brodhead resigns
2. Crystal claims another gang rape and suffers an overdose
3. Durham police beat up a Duke student
4. The Feds begin an investigation
5. One of the 88-ers speaks out
6. The civil suits begin

When it happens where will we turn if DiW is no longer here? We need an emergency plan in place. Please, K.C.

Anonymous said...

Two KC quotes from Good Morning America for those of you who missed the show:

On the group of 88: “This was such an extraordinary betrayal of what professors are supposed to do. They are supposed to stand up for due process, they are supposed to stand up for the dispassionate evaluation of evidence, and what we had here were professors exploiting their own students’ difficulties for their own agenda.”

On the lessons of this case: “This was the highest profile case of prosecutorial misconduct to evolve before out eyes in American history, and groups that we think of as defenders of due process and opponents of this kind of behavior—liberals in the media, leftists in the academy, civil rights organizations, especially in North Carolina—not only didn’t protest against Mike Nifong’s behavior, they gleefully embraced it, and this suggests a corruption of elements of our culture that is really depressing.”

Outstanding as always, KC. Thank you for everything and I wish you the best in Israel.

mac said...

KC,

Speaking for myself - (and perhaps others, as well) - I would like to thank you for permitting me to participate as a poster on DIW.

Your diligent pursuit of the collaborators in the Hoax exposed a world many of us knew little about: who knew these places and people existed? From the bizarre conspiracy theories of Grant "Prowess Envy" Farred to the bizarre rantings of Victoria "the truth is out there" Peterson, we've witnessed worlds that many could only imagine in a nightmare.

And so you have exposed this nightmare world, and exposed the nightmare that a monstrous, evil prosecutor and his henchmen would cause three young men to endure, aided by a media hungry for a sensational story, and abetted by a group of educators who preferred to write the story to accomodate their own predjudices. You've also exposed a system of justice in the state of North "Korealina" that is still naked and vulgar and in need of larger remedies, and you've exposed the lying hypocrisy of "civil rights" organizations, small, petty and full of the worst kind of predjudicial offal.

Thank you also that you, by contrast, exposed to the world how fine these (formerly accused) young men are, how mature and thoughtful and considerate they proved to be: thank you for helping their story to be told, in the quest to prove their innocence.

While writers from New York Times and Bob Ashley may be - (must be) - sitting somewhere, Grinchlike, angry, petulant and frustrated, and while Nifong withers away like a disgraced Haman, the consequences continuing to pile on him in a kind of living grave, you may enjoy the fruits of the role that you've played - much like Mordecai.

Enjoy, KC, enjoy.

Anonymous said...

KC,

I wonder if anyone in the academy will do research on the notion of weblogs like DIW being an integral part of modern life and its many dramas... not just watching the drama, but being part of the drama and influencing the outcome.

DIW has been a step beyond journalism and historical inspection. DIW took the blog into a realm that few have gone -- (and I'll hazard the notion that only a few other times has current commentary so influenced an outcome. The Washington Post and Watergate comes to mind.)

A request -- while in Israel, could you post occasionally on events in the region? I for one would like an unsullied evaluation of Mideast events from an observer outside the agenda-driven main stream media.

In any event, congratulations to you and Stuart Taylor!

Tom Inman

PS -- What does K.C. stand for? Perhaps Stuart's "Kickass Collaborator"?

Steven Horwitz said...

KC,

As a historian, you know that history frequently records only the deeds of the powerful, whether they be for better or for worse. Much good gets done "under the radar" of the history that gets come to be written. Many little heroes have accomplished much that goes unseen in the official histories.

The beauty of the Internet is that your work here will be with us always. You have shown how one person with enough determination can have a palpable effect on a significant historical event, and how the liberty that the Net brings remains (as we saw with Dan Rather) the most important check on power that exists in the 21st century. You not only helped save three innocent men from years in jail, but you helped reveal the corruption of the legal system (in Durham, if not beyond) and the betrayal of those students by 88 or more faculty and administrators.

That is no small accomplishment and, in your case, history will remember you. And rightly so. Your work here is a model for what bloggers can contribute to the cause of human liberty.

Congratulations and thank you. Best of luck in Israel and beyond. Hope to see you around Cliopatria after DiW shuts down.

Anonymous said...

Insufficiently Sensitive said...
"They'll face some furious enemies among the tribes whose slimy actions they have documented and made public."

Truly furious, disconnected from reality, and personally connected to violent factions (NBPP, miriame cooke's friends among Islamist terrorists.)

KC - I implore you to start taking extraordinay care for your physical safety.

Anonymous said...

KC - outstanding performance on Good Morning America! Intelligent and articulate, as always.

For those who missed it, link to abcnews.com and find connection to today's video clips.

Anonymous said...

KC,
You spoke truth to power. Beautiful!

Debrah said...

"What exactly did you do for the book?"

Where have you been?

Or is this some silliness to try to contaminate the proceedings?

Stuart Taylor has been on this avenue of writing legal analyses a long time. He conceived of the book, and when he saw the stellar work KC was doing on the case, he knew he had to collaborate with him in order to make the book the magnum opus that it is.

Comprendes?

Anonymous said...

K.C.--you have been one of the genuine heroes of this awful saga. Heartfelt thanks, and Godspeed. Bob Hyde, Duke '67

Unknown said...

As the listening statement said, “Like all disasters, this one has a history.” The group of 88 obviously didn't realize the significance of the phrase, and that KC Johnson would be the one to write that history. Well done.

Anonymous said...

"In the weeks since the book has gone to press, the blog has featured comprehensive coverage (from Durham) of Nifong’s ethics and criminal contempt trials, as well as profiles of the scholarship and teaching of some Group of 88 members."

Enough material for a sequel yet? ;-)

Anonymous said...

I think they did a great job of changing the focus from Nifong to the G88 which is now the greater societal concern.

Anonymous said...

I just read chapter one at GMA's website. Wonderful start!!

Then I read the 2 comments recorded at that website. And I am stunned. Comment #2 read in part:

"... I still believe those white men raped the black woman who was always called a stripper in the news. What happened to the that [sic] white DA is what usually happens when a white person takes sides with a black person who has been wronged. No matter how you dress up your white racist ways, it will always be evident to those of us who see it everyday."

This is the type of attitude that lay beneath and abetted the HOAX. It is truly unfortunate that some people have both the IQ of a watermellon and and a sightless vision for truth.

My bet: The poster of that particular comment will not read the book -- even though their ilk are those most in need of its insights.

Steven Horwitz said...

One other thing KC...

I gave you a blog-plug and added a few more comments on the parallels to the Rather case over at Liberty and Power.

mac said...

An addendum inre justice in North Korealina:

In spite of the Attorney General's efforts and his clear statements on the innocence of the accused, the guilty verdict laid upon Michael Nifong's head by Judge Smith, and Mr. Williamson and the Bar's sincere efforts - (and they should be congratulated, surely) - there were still two judges who appeared as character witnesses for Mr. Michael Nifong; it shows that the decay is still prevalent, like a mold that cannot be expunged.

It's a start; KC helped give it a big push.

Anonymous said...

Help! My DVR failed to record it! Can someone post a link? I can't find it on abcnews.com. I see where you can read the beginning of the book, but I don't see video.

Anonymous said...

Could you let us know whether any book signing events are scheduled in NYC? I wonder if B&N in New Haven, so close to the Yale campus, will give your book the right exposure, considering that wimpy Brodhead was employed here, at Yale.
Good luck to you, and thank you for this extraordinary blog.

Anonymous said...

To Professor Johnson:

I join with others in thanking you for your thoughtful blogs and the considerable amount of time you devoted to write them. As a Duke alum and a member of a university faculty (in the biomedical sciences), I have been sickened at the lack of intellectual integrity on the part of the faculty at Duke who you've highlighted. I have your book on order and look forward to reading it.

Best wishes in future endeavors.

Anonymous said...

Steven Horwitz said...

KC,

As a historian, you know...

------------

Thank you, Steven, for NOT saying "As an historian..."

Anonymous said...

Can you say Pulitzer Prize?

Duke Prof

Anonymous said...

steven horwitz:

I agree with your perspective about knowledge, Hayek and the internet.

I'm far more cynical than you about whether any on the Left still care about principles.

Anonymous said...

KC, great appearance today on GMA. Even more than your own contributions, I especially liked the show's build-up toward your introduction, which left no doubt about the fraudulent and incredible nature of the charges against the lacrosse players, leaving the audience hungry to know WHY such ludicrous, baseless and despicable legal proceedings could have ever been brought. Which is, indeed, the underlying question of the whole case.

You and Stuart made a great tag-team in the interview, and I hope you sell a billion books.

Debrah said...

Chris Cuomo did a surprisingly hard-hitting interview.

I was skeptical at first, and had hoped for Diane Sawyer, but Chris was quite effective.

I didn't like, however, his characterization of Dan Abrams--he mentioned him in a condescendingly dismissive way--who was always on the side of the truth.

Anonymous said...

The video has finally been posted in the same place where you can read the first chapter of the book on the GMA website.

Anonymous said...

Debrah,

I think Chris Cuomo was kidding with his bit about Dan Abrams. He just said it that way because Abrams works for a different network.

Debrah said...

TO 10:47AM--

I like the sound of "an" historian better when one is speaking.

And I still try to get away with using it sometimes in writing.

LOL!!!

Debrah said...

TO 11:07AM--

Yeah, you're probably right.

I was concentrating on watching KC too much...and missed the little joke.

:>)

Anonymous said...

That's okay. I was pretty focused on watching KC, too. Certainly can't blame a girl for that!

mac said...

KC,

I also enjoyed the interview on ABC. I could almost hear your interviewer say the words:
"Terry Moron."

Anonymous said...

I add my thants and hat tip to K.C. for exposing the academy and the press, two institutions for which there is no oversight, yet tremendous power. Also, thank you for the way you "administered" the blog. Lot's of trouble makers tried to, well, make trouble, and you gave them rope for a long time.

Surely we will be seeing/hearing more of you in the future.

Happy landings!

Anonymous said...

One thing I find odd about the reviews ... have found odd about this whole case really ... is the constant references to Duke as a "top" school.

The 7 Ivies, MIT & Cal Tech, Stanford, U Chicago, Johns Hopkins, UC Berkeley ... when & why did people start including Duke in such a list?

Anonymous said...

Steven Horwitz said "That is no small accomplishment and, in your case, history will remember you. And rightly so. Your work here is a model for what bloggers can contribute to the cause of human liberty."

Ditto.

I also "ditto" all of the comments here congratulating and thanking Prof. Johnson for his tremendous accomplishment with this blog. While I don't doubt, Prof. Johnson, you will continue to have a successful career in academia, even years hence, it will be said that you did a very good thing here. Well done.

I am not a historian, but I think it would be appropriate to use an adjective I learned in history class to describe Prof. Johnson and Stuart Taylor; "muckraker". Prof. Johnson with this blog and his personal sacrifice, Taylor with his reporting and jointly with "Until Proven Innocent" raked through the muck that Nifong and his enablers tried to feed the rest of us and uncovered the truth. Very well done.

I also thank Steven Horwitz for his thoughtful and well reasoned comments here as well.

Best of luck to Prof. Johnson and Stuart Taylor with the book (I already have my copy and am thoroughly enjoying it) and best of luck to Prof. Johnson in Israel.

Anonymous said...

This is my first comment although I've been an avid reader of the blog since its beginning. Echoing other's comments, I want to thank KC for his apparently endless reserves of energy for making DIW what it is: a masterpiece.

As a physician and Duke University faculty member, I was just as appalled from the outset at the spineless and exploitative responses from so many in our community, and constantly mystified (and even fearful) of Nifong and the DPD as one outrageous affront to due process after another was executed. You'd hear things on the local news about actions such as the no-filler photo-lineup, reported simply as-is, and no where in the press (at that time) would anyone question whether such actions were illegal.

Except, of course, KC (and a few other bloggers) whose ruthless pursuit of the truth and honesty constantly exposed these otherwise blatant challenges to civil liberty. True, some newspapers (e.g., Chronicle, N&O) finally picked up on things, but reading those articles, it seemed obvious to me that DIW was often the reservoir from which these pieces of newfound enlightenment were drawn. In many cases, KC did the research and laid out the arguments for others to reiterate and embellish.

I have occasionally thought it a little odd that someone could dedicate so much energy to daily contributions on the lacross hoax, but there I was reading them every day (which I guess makes me equally 'a little odd'). KC as a historian, though, has taken full advantage of a truly unique opportunity with the internet: shaping history as he writes it. And in the process, CORRECTING history as he records it. Fifty to a hundred years from now, the NYT, CNN, etc.. could easily be looked upon as primary source materials for this case. For historians, primary sources are the gold standard. KC has shown us how flawed these primary sources can be.

KC has also revealed to us how much power some individuals, such as small city prosecutors, can have over our civil liberties. This is obviously one of the great flaws in our justice system. When a prosecutor with a personality disorder and complete lack of ethics is wholly supported by others with similar disorders, reverse racists, and reverse 'champions for due process', the result is downright frightening, as it was in this and many other cases. That such flawed people can be placed in such positions of power is truly scary, and worth fighting against every day.

What isn't as frightening, but certainly troubling, is KC's exposure of Duke's cadre of 88 -- some of those profiles have to be the funniest things I've read all year. These academic charletans have been around, however, since the beginning of the academy. For them, the university is their entitlement program, with their six figure salaries and ZERO contributions to society. Their major threat, however, is when they obtain positions of power within the university. The Duke administration has continued to elevate some of these '88ers despite considerable evidence of their racism and close-mindedness. These promotions have been among the most upsetting actions of my administration.

As one commentor earlier said, KC's blog has been a great education. I can only hope he blogs again when in Isreal. Imagine KC digging into the history and current state of affairs in that region. Now that would be an education!

Thanks KC

Anonymous said...

Chris Cuomo did a surprisingly hard-hitting interview - by MSM standards. His search for "the reason" for Nifong's malfeasance wasted a bunch of time which could have been better spent illuminating Durham's crooked support network who sang backup for his one-man lynch mob: the first two judges, the DPD acquiescence in the photo lineup, the mendacious 'crimestoppers' flyers. Somehow Cuomo wasn't interested in the other half of Nifong's backup band either - the NAACP and the visiting jaquerie led by Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Ah well, it was gratifying at least to hear the name of the NYT loud and clear on the debit side, and the concise description of G88's revolting behavior. Hopefully some folks might even read the book.

But to write the whole passion play off as a cheap trick to obtain a better pension is a red herring, and Cuomo must know that. Dig deep, O journalist, and weave ALL the contributing threads together - without that interlocking mob of backup singers Nifong wouldn't have had a chance to pull off such an obviously blatant scam.

Anonymous said...

"As a physician and Duke University faculty member, I was just as appalled from the outset at the spineless and exploitative responses from so many in our community..."
Did you ever publically express this feeling?

Anonymous said...

11:53

I couldn't agree more with your posting. This whole matter is rooted in the arrogance of political correctness, its ignorance is really not only in its race, class, gender analysis of all things conseidered, but in its plane ignorance of its own part in the matter . . . what frauds, but this whole affair had to be a fraud going forward. Well, it isn't about the lacrosse team now either . . . it is about the McCarthyism of academia as these sorry politically correct bastard are killing this country. They are bigots given to totalitarian ideas of governance and certainly justice. This morning on the Good Morning America program, two decent men made themselves heard as they have been heard through out this horrible fiasco. Thank God they came forward in the beginning of this whole affair to help see justice prevail. A hat tip to everone pro or con who contributed to this blog and made it so very relevent, and thank you KC and what's up with the damned bow tie . . . I am laughing. Thank you for it and goodness and good luck. Like James Brown who can say only on recordings, "I feel good, like I knew I would . . . ." Keep up with the good work on the rest of the story . . . how to tone down the academic stupidity that engulfs us.

Anonymous said...

Earlier this year I emailed an Atlanta Journal Constitution reporter who had just written a story about the lacrosse team and the hoax. I told him I thought his story was accurate and fair. He emailed me back that he was a DIW reader.

KC, you may not have reached everyone but you reached a lot of people that now care about the case and our justice system.

Thanks,

John Elliot
Atlanta

Anonymous said...

Nice work...

Having been in corrections for over 20 years I now think differently when an inmate claims innocence...

I'm wondering if the web site will be left up or closed down...

I haven't read every post and every comment, which I'd like to do sometime. Maybe a CD can be made available containing the entire blog. I would gladly pay for such...

I did order the book but I'm sure it won't contain everything in the blog...

Thanks...

DG

Anonymous said...

The 7 Ivies, MIT & Cal Tech, Stanford, U Chicago, Johns Hopkins, UC Berkeley ... when & why did people start including Duke in such a list?

Duke has been ranked in the top ten (I think it was 8 this year) for many, many years now, and will continue to be so. The LAX case has not had a significant effect on the fact that it is perceived to be a top-notch school.

Anonymous said...

Anon 12:28 deploys the passive voice to good effect:

Duke has been ranked [1] in the top ten (I think it was 8 this year) for many, many years now, and will continue to be so. The LAX case has not had a significant effect on the fact that it is perceived [2] to be a top-notch school.

[1] Ranked in the top 10 by who? US News & World Report?
[2] So perceived by who? Readers of the US News & World Report?

False things are often widely perceived to be true. I'm always curious how situations come about.

Anonymous said...

The ranking is indeed by US News and World Report. One of the significant factors used to determine those rankings concerns the perception by faculty, deans, etc, of other institutions.

The statistics of their student body (SAT scores, rank in class, etc) are also comparable with the other schools mentioned above.

Steven Horwitz said...

And US News type rankings are, generally, better measures of "inputs" than "outputs." That is, they measure the resources colleges have and how they are perceived by others, NOT what students are like when they graduate, nor how much value the institution adds. We'd expect top schools to produce talented graduates because they ATTRACT talented kids. It would be more interesting to see what sorts of schools take less talented kids and add a great deal of value to help them become very talented. That might be a better measure of quality, if it were obtainable.

Debrah said...

TO 11:53AM--

I agree with many of your comments.

In various interviews with KC or Stuart, and with both of them together, there is always such a small amount of time, unfortunately, to touch on all the dizzyingly mad aspects of this case.

The two heavy-hitters were Nifong and Duke University. Those two--the legal and academic--worlds have to be the focus of discussion first.

It's frustrating for those of us who know the huge role the city of Durham, the NAACP, and the rabid black activists played with their intimidation.....and the rest of Durham with its apathy and lazy responses.

Make no mistake. If Duke University were not situated inside a heavily black populated city embroidered with a banana republic mentality....this Lacrosse Hoax could never have been concocted and sustained.

So, yes. It is my hope that both KC and Stuart find a way to illuminate these very important players.

Anonymous said...

Regarding "top notch," an oft-cited, though methodologically-flawed source is the annual US News ranking. Here is the most recent ranking of "national universities"

1. Princeton University
2. Harvard University
3. Yale University
4. Stanford University
5. University of Pennsylvania

5. California Institute of Technology
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
8. Duke University
9. Columbia University
9. University of Chicago

11. Dartmouth College
12. Washington University in St. Louis
12. Cornell University
14. Brown University
14. Northwestern University

14. Johns Hopkins University
17. Rice University
17. Emory University
19. Vanderbilt University
19. University of Notre Dame

21. University of California­Berkeley *
22. Carnegie Mellon University
23. University of Virginia *
23. Georgetown University
25. University of California­Los Angeles *
25. University of Michigan­Ann Arbor *

(*) denotes public university

Anonymous said...

Ralph, while the U.S. News and World Report rankings are imperfect, you see the same trends in students' preferences (granted, one influences the other). I do Duke alumni interviews of undergraduate applicants, and according to the figures provided by the Admissions Office, it appears that students see Duke as solidly within the 6-10 top schools in the country. If I remember correctly, if a student has to choose between Duke and Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, or MIT, only 15% choose Duke. If a student is admitted to Duke and Columbia, Penn, Dartmouth, or Brown, 40-60% choose Duke, so it's right in that group. If a student has to choose between Duke and Georgetown, Cornell, Wash U, or Vanderbilt, between 70-90% choose Duke, so Duke is above the third group of five. The average SAT has been over 1450 for quite some time, so there is no question that Duke is no longer a regional or backup school for undergraduates.

Anonymous said...

To everyone asking for KC to keep blogging here, um, you do realize he has another blog, right? That's what this whole loooooooooong comment thread was about. (Well worth the read, as three of the people from that other blog -- KC, Ralph Luker, and Timothy Burke -- have an "interesting" "conversation" about academia.)

Anonymous said...

I saw you today on GMA, Professor Johnson. You were terrific!

I've followed your blog over the last year. You've succeeded in showing that there's a much bigger story here than just the lacrosse case.

Debrah said...

TO 12:53PM--

Acephalous is a mere footnote on the posterior of a gerbil compared to what was produced here.

Few will be substituting that location for this one.

Anonymous said...

Ralph Phelan.

Good Question

I'm certain you are thinking of the quote by Edmund Burke who said, “"All that is necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing."

I'm also confident that the physician and Duke faculty member you addressed your question to is a decent and honorable person and that most members of the Duke faculty and administration are decent and honorable as well.

I trust the good Doctor and Duke faculty member understands the reason for your question. If not, I would like add another quote where Burke stated "When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle."

Anonymous said...

Not Acephalous, Debrah: Cliopatria. This will take you to KC's posts.

redcybra said...

Just picked up my copy at B&N. The good news is that it was available. The bad news is that it wasn't on the Just In or Latest Non-Fiction tables at the front of the door, but I had to go to the Crime section to get it. I told them it should at least be displayed on one of the tables in the front. Jeez, Bill Clinton's Giving has its own friggin' display right up front - but UPI is #138 in Books on Amazon and Giving is only #250. I need to get some work done but I'm already dipping into it. Lots of background there was no time and space for on the blog, such as the role of BOT President Bob Steel.

Debrah said...

To 1:10PM--

Thanks.

The poster to whom I responded gave a link to Acephalous.

Anonymous said...

I am the poster to whom you responded, and I gave you two links: the first to Cliopatria itself, the second to a conversation about Cliopatria from some of its members (including KC). I thought that might be of interest. But if the schoolmarm insists otherwise...

Anonymous said...

and a link to Cliopatria. Don't blame the poster.

Anonymous said...

Duke was ranked the 16th most selective university in nation in 1966 by the "Guide to Higher Education." There were students from all 50 states in the mid 70's when I attended. It has neither been a regional or backup school for more than 40 years at least and probably long before that

Anonymous said...

Minor point, perhaps, but did the demonstrators really carry 'CASTRATE!!' bannerS (plural) as per first paragraph. I only ever saw one such banner. Of course, there were plenty of other offensive banners -- "Sunday morning, time to confess," "Give them equal measure," "Get a conscience, not a lawyer," "Real men don't protect rapists" etc. etc.

DaveW said...

I enjoyed your appearance on GMA today KC. Normally I do not watch that program but I was at the Toyota dealer getting the wife's car serviced and they had it on their waiting room TV. Imagine my surprise when they announced that you and Mr. Taylor would be on, and at suddenly realizing I comment on the blog of a famous TV personality!

8^)>~~

You did a great job - its nice to see the Group of 88 getting some national media exposure - if a bit disappointing that you are the one that had to do it.

Debrah said...

TO 1:23PM and 1:25PM--

Again, many thanks for your continued mission to underscore on this blog that KC is a true Liberal.

I cannot tell you how that excites me.....further fueling my ardor.....since my penchants have always tended toward the nether regions of life's Wonderland.

You have provided a service today.

Anonymous said...

Just checked out Amazon ... UPI is now #102 ... pretty cool

Anonymous said...

Debrah @ 12:51

You've hit the nail on the head.

As a native North Carolinian, I all too familiar with our politicians longing for the bloc vote in Durham City/County - particularly the ones that seek a state-wide office.

It's no wonder that all the Democrat politicos(Nifong et al) were apoplectic in their initial fawning to this bloc. The HS and the N&O aided and abetted.

Anonymous said...

Eagerly awaiting my amazon order.

Mr. Pepsi

Anonymous said...

.
KC Johnson has been a Hero in this whole sordid episode. He went where so many feared to tread.

I was told the Book is Fabulous!

mac said...

I wonder what the 88ers and all the Hoaxers combined might've felt if they watched GMA?

Maybe the Hoaxers feel a little like the German army in retreat in the Russian winter of '42.

Debrah said...

TO 1:45PM--

And this should not be pushed into background commentary. Otherwise, nothing ever changes.

Although Roy Cooper certainly provided a balm with his word "innocent", his glossing over the Crystal Mangum problem was purely political.

He should have had her arrested. This woman isn't any crazier than all the other Durham residents who are tethered to the governmental perversions and inventions created over forty years ago that tell the black community.....It's ok.....do what you want.....the "man" is to blame for your bad choices.

Why do you think everyone in her community supported her?...openly? And the ones who said nothing supported her that way...wallowing in a kind of vicarious thrill.

Shades of cosmic justice gone mad....

Anonymous said...

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3555441

Good Morning America 6 minutes and 19 sec video of KC & Stuart

Anonymous said...

Picked up a copy of the book from B&N in Durham. It was displayed prominently on the New Books table and the sales person said he'd sold quite a few this morning.... to blog hooligans that can't wait for Amazon....

Debrah said...

To 2:32PM--

I talked to them over the phone today and asked about that...(where it was displayed).

It had been in the criminal section. The guy said they would modify that.

Very glad they did.

:>)

Debrah said...

...assuming you were referring to the B&N at Southpointe.

Anonymous said...

Just figured out a formula for estimated Amazon sales per day -- (5279) times (the sales rank) raised to (the power of -0.57364)

For example, a sales rank of 102 indicates sales of 372 books per day ...

Anonymous said...

No -- B&N @ New Hope Commons

Update: Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Congrats KC.

Anonymous said...

re: 12:40pm
The ranking is indeed by US News and World Report. One of the significant factors used to determine those rankings concerns the perception by faculty, deans, etc, of other institutions.

Peer assessment is given the most weight (25%) in USNWR's college rankings. For undergad institutions the president, provost, and dean of admissions are surveyed by USNWR. The faculty is not surveyed. Whether or not those surveyed take the task seriously or know enough about all of their peers to provide an informed opinion is open to question.

Anonymous said...

Many deans are members of the faculty.

Anonymous said...

You are correct. Crystal should be prosecuted.

The fact that her crimes have been repeatedly ignored over the years is puzzling.

Exactly who are they afraid of down there? Certainly it is not Crystal. Who are they protecting when they keep her cell phone log private and the identity of her DNA donors a secret?

Anonymous said...

Amazon:

Until Proven Innocent

Popular in these categories:
#1 in Nonfiction > True Accounts > True Crime
#1 in Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Abuse & Self Defense > Rape
#3 in Sports > General

#1 in "Mental Health > Abuse & Self Defense > Rape" ought to drive the G88ers nuts. Coming soon: G88 fake reviews in Amazon giving Until Proven Innocent one star.

Steven Horwitz said...

252:

Yes, many deans are members of the faculty, but deans of *Admissions* usually are not. And provosts or presidents may or may not be. At larger schools, the ladder from the top down is usually: president, provost, dean.

Even if the folks surveyed are technically faculty, odds are pretty good they've been out of the classroom in any real way for a good number of years, which is an unfortunate by-product of administration-only jobs and probably doesn't give them a good understanding of the shop-floor issues at the institution.

Anonymous said...

3:03 Steven Horwitz

I completely agree with you re: the shop-floor issues. However I will point out that there tend to be many associate deans that are still involved with teaching. What I don't know is if those same deans (or just the top ones) are surveyed by USNWR.

Anyway, I think it's clear that Duke is perceived as a top school by applicants and administrators/faculty at other elite schools, and don't view this claim to be particularly controversial.

Anonymous said...

Amazon has UPI as

#7 in "Nonfiction > Southern Living > Old Fashioned Racially-motivated Politics and Scandals" ...

#9 in "Nonfiction > Magic Tricks > Judicial Illusions" ... and

#15 in children's books under "Counting to '88" ...

Finally, it has an "also ran" ranking in the anthropology section because they thought "Broad Head" was a newly discovered aboriginal tribe.

...go figure.

Debrah said...

Why do people do evil?

Anonymous said...

TO 2:55

"Exactly who are they afraid of down there?"

"They" are not afraid of anything.

"They" covet, pine, desire, need, and want the Durham "bloc vote."

Hence: Need vote, must grovel.

Anonymous said...

If you haven't already listened to Professor Johnson's interview on CHQR I suggest that you do so.
It is a clear and comprehensive expose even for the person who never heard of the case.
Again, I would like to know if any book signing events are scheduled for NYC.

Anonymous said...

"...extraordinary betrayal..."

Outstanding interview...

Why is Brodhead still in a position of power?

Steven Horwitz said...

307 said:

I completely agree with you re: the shop-floor issues. However I will point out that there tend to be many associate deans that are still involved with teaching. What I don't know is if those same deans (or just the top ones) are surveyed by USNWR.

I was an associate dean for six years, all but three semesters of which I was also teaching a half-time load. I was never surveyed by USNWR. :)

Anonymous said...

"Who are they protecting when they keep her cell phone log private and the identity of her DNA donors a secret? "

Mayor Bell and President Brodhead.

Anonymous said...

An absolutely awesome book awaits. God bless you, Professor Johnson for your amazing, well documentation and your devastaing insights.

Ed Sodaro MD

Anonymous said...

"Who are they protecting when they keep her cell phone log private and the identity of her DNA donors a secret?"

There may be more there than meets the eye. What if someone in power is implicated? What if it points to a criminal conspiracy?

Did the defense lawyers and the AG have access to those records -- or have they truly been kept secret?

Anonymous said...

12:34 inre: U.S. News & World report and other rankings...

Ralph Phelan, I beleive what you describe is called the cummulative advantage. It is similar to the citations issued in circular fashion among fraudulent academics. Both are negative in nature and not challenged.

It will be interesting to see the cumulative advantage (positive) for KC's book based upon reviews...

Anonymous said...

Steven Horwitz inre: "...It would be more interesting to see what sorts of schools take less talented kids and add a great deal of value to help them become very talented. That might be a better measure of quality, if it were obtainable..."

Amen brother!

But how would the elite schools then be able to take authorship?

Anonymous said...

Now #66 ....

Harry Potter was expected to be ranked #1 at Amazon, but even the most learned and able of booksellers were amazed and awe struck when Until Proven Innocent levitated right through #1 ... to rank #0 and then a record for all millennium -- to rank #-1. KC Johnson just grinned for he had planned the number system to accomodate this event. (Pythagoras, secret prophecies of an Orphic Cult, 514 BC) MOO!Channelling Gregory

Steven Horwitz said...

Since I'm in the mood to self-promote today, and since so many here are interested in higher ed issues, folks might wish to see two pieces I've recently published on the web:
One (at the Pope Center on Higher Ed Policy) is on teaching writing to first-year students and the other (at Education Week) is just out today on how high schools can better prepare kids for college-level writing. The latter requires a fairly quick free registration. I can copy the text here if the registration process is too painful.

Anonymous said...

Re: college ratings -

The current USNWR system is very circular. It's like going into a high school and asking "who's popular?" publishing the results, and then doing it again. As Horwitz says, it measures inputs rather than outputs.

I'd like to see some output measures like
(1)Median income 1, 5 & 10 years after graduation.
(1a)Broken down by major.
(1b)Broken down by incoming SAT.

(2) Graduation rates in 4, 5 &6 years, broken down similarly.

It would be interesting to see whether the actual performance matched perceptions.

This would give customers a much better idea which schools are a good match for their/their children's ambitions and academic capabilities. Having a single ranking is really pretty useless when needs are so varied.

Anonymous said...

The reporter from ABC news was horrible. Rambling questions, interrputing - he loves to hear himself speak.

I kept waiting for him to shut up so KC and the other author could speak.

Also, he embarrassed himself with that flippant comment about Dan Abrams.

Steven Horwitz said...

I'm not sure I'd use median income as my only measure. I'd consider a student who came to me with, say, 1050 SATs and B's in high school and mediocre communication skills but who then graduated able to write, speak, and research well and then went on to get a job doing, say, working as a grant writer for a non-profit to be a total success story, even if he or she wasn't earning big bucks.

Or better yet - a real former student who came from a weak high school with good but not great grades and SATs. She totally blossomed here, graduated with a very solid GPA, did an excellent summer research project on constitutional issues around same-sex marriage, a very well-written and researched honors thesis on diversity issues in public education, and is now doing Teach for America in a district down in NC. She was also an RA and a writing peer-tutor while she was here.

Her income is modest, and likely always will be if she stays in education, but given where she started and what she's now capable of, and the lives she's changing, I consider her a major success.

I would never not include income measures, but there are students who come a long way in four years but who make choices that lead them in directions less likely to make them rich.

Anonymous said...

KC: You rock! I'm already starting to go into withdrawal from my daily blog fixes. Have a wonderful trip and return to great book sales!

It's so empowering to see what a difference one person can make, because I know you have made a difference in the way this played out.

And for what we do next--PLEASE write Dan Blue with comments about Brodhead (at danblue@duke.edu) since he has the task of evaluating the first 3 years of Brodhead's tenure as President.

And also thanks to the poster who attended Duke in the 70s--we must have been there at the same time and I concur that it was NOT a backup school then, either. It has been a nationally-ranked, top tier school for close to 40 years now. I do believe basketball has helped attract a lot of good students, though--but it wasn't a draw when I was there!

And again, KC, as the parent of 4 kids, none of whom have left for college yet, I appreciate you shining the bright light of truth on not only Duke but other schools too. I only wish they could take one of your classes!

Peggy Harper
Duke 1974

Anonymous said...

This was KC's welcome to the folks from the TV spot and from the book but as usual the thread gets hijacked by the "Battle-of the Egos"

One Spook said...

Steve Horwitz @ 3:48 writes:

Since I'm in the mood to self-promote today, and since so many here are interested in higher ed issues ...

To me it seems the the "higher ed issues" that most on this Blog are concerned about are, to quote KC Johnson, the following:

1. "I first turned my attention to the Duke case after an April 2006 ad signed by 88 members of the Duke arts and sciences faculty. The ad stated unequivocally that something “happened” to Crystal Mangum; and said “thank you” to protesters who, among other things, had carried “CASTRATE” banners and blanketed the campus with “wanted” posters of the lacrosse team. The professors’ decision to sign the ad betrayed the ideals of their—and my—profession."

and

2. "... the “academic McCarthyism” evident in the reaction to the case by Duke faculty “activists ..."

and

3. " ... profiles of the scholarship and teaching of some Group of 88 members."

With all respect, rather than pointing us to links about "Why Johnny and Janey can't write," could you enlighten us regarding the three items listed above?

One Spook

Anonymous said...

Horwitz said:
"there are students who come a long way in four years but who make choices that lead them in directions less likely to make them rich."
Yes, it would be good to find a way to account for those who go into teaching, the Peace Corps, the priesthood, the military, or other fields with non-monetary payoffs that still require accomplishment.

I have no idea how one could measure that level of accomplishment, though.
Simply tracking how many do so, and reporting income numbers both including and excluding them, would at least allow one to make the assumption that they are on the average as accomplished as their more mercenary classmates and use the mercenaries' accomplishments as a proxy for the class as a whole.

LSAT, GMAT and other post-secondary standardized test scores are another measure we could use.

Anonymous said...

"Battle of the Eggheads" more like it. Please pimp your writings on your own blog, Mr Horwitz. Hope this wasn't too "anti intellectual" for ya.

Floyd

Anonymous said...

Visitors would do well to go back and read Bill Anderson's letter to Mike Nifong in December of 2006. It's really quite extraordinary. Had Nifong taken Bill's advice he might still be the DA and would very likely not be preparing for his perp walk.

Everyone is quick (and correct) in praising KC's fabulous work. I'd like to thank Bill for his continued efforts in exposing the truth and revealing the scoundrels involved in this case.

Thanks to Steven Horowitz for his fine work as well.

Mike Lee

Steven Horwitz said...

Please pimp your writings on your own blog, Mr Horwitz. Hope this wasn't too "anti intellectual" for ya.

Always good to have a fan club, I say.

And One Spook too. Glad to have so much love from you. If you want answers to those questions, go do some Googling as I've spoken to each and every one of them here. Sorry if you don't like my answers.

You and Floyd can go have a beer together and come up with some egghead jokes. Let me know the top 5 or 10, I always enjoy a good laugh.

Thanks Mike Lee. Appreciate it.

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr. Horwitz,
Please detail your contributions to the pursuit of justice for the falsely accused Duke lacrosse players. Coming to the comment threads here and supporting Klan of 88 members doesn't count.

Spook and I might come up with some egghead jokes for ya, but since they would probably be in the Jay Leno vein, most assuredly, they would be far too pedestrian for you.

Floyd

Anonymous said...

KC, a great interview this morning. I am patiently (actually impatiently) awaiting your book from Amazon. Please continue to write from Israel. You are truly gifted - a real truth detector. By all means, please send Broadhead an autographed copy of your book. He needs a moment of reflection. Godspeed!

mac said...

KC,
I will miss your work, and this blog. I've enjoyed my stay here. You've thrown a heckuva party!

I've enjoyed the (mostly) good-spirited back-and-forths between Professor Horwitz and One Spook and Ralph and Debrah. I'll miss those exchanges, too. (And Inman's contributions, as well.)

I will also sincerely miss the attack of the trolls on my sometimes juvenile (and Juvenalian) satire. It was always a personal pleasure to be attacked by persons with nothing conrete to say, those persons also alleging to be "intellectuals." Good fodder! (I've similarly enjoyed developing a thicker skin, much as some might enjoy working on their tan.)

I'll also miss reading the work of the best, most original and most prolific satirist of the group, MOO Gregory.

If I've left you out, anyone, don't be offended: I'll surely miss you too.

And Debrah? Take good care of Toto.

Anonymous said...

Floyd:

Intelligent, measured, smart, carefully thought out, factually correct, and honest comments from a respected Professor (one like say Steven Horowitz for example) count in my book.

Your comments....not so much.

Please stick to cutting hair in Mayberry. You don't seem to be very good at much else.

One Spook said...

Steven Horwitz writes @ 4:49:

And One Spook too. Glad to have so much love from you. If you want answers to those questions, go do some Googling as I've spoken to each and every one of them here. Sorry if you don't like my answers.

You and Floyd can go have a beer together and come up with some egghead jokes. Let me know the top 5 or 10, I always enjoy a good laugh.


Steven, please do not put words in my mouth; that's beneath you ... I did not say I didn't like your answers. I've read everyone of your comments posted on this Blog, and have described some of your comments as "thoughtful."

I did say that the higher ed issues that most on this Blog are concerned about are those that I listed, and I think readers here would appreciate your addressing those.

Those are huge issues and they are only beginning. Your academy is in trouble due to structural issues and because it cannot police itself. KC Johnson has only revealed the tip of this iceberg.

Those of us who respect and admire the traditional academy, as exemplified by an outstanding professor like KC Johnson are asking for professors like YOU to endeavor to improve the academy and effect a return to outstanding scholarship taught and lead by scholars with valid credentials and a record of superlative scholastic achievement.

Is that too dificult for you to understand or accept?

One Spook

Anonymous said...

I, too, will miss this blog, to which I became completely addicted over the last year. I will always remember dancing around my Chicago hotel room with glee after reading on here that the AG declared the Duke 3 to be innocent.

My joy was not just because justice had been done, but also because this blog played such an important part of making that happen. Believers of truth and justice owe KC a great deal of thanks.

Anonymous said...

I went by the local bookseller, today, to pick up an extra copy of UPI to send to my son's school. They were sold out. The wife of the owner helped me, and asked "Is that the book about Coach Pressler?" Her son had played lacrosse, at Duke, under Mike Pressler. I asked her about DIW. She had read the blog for a while, she said, but had stopped. She said the whole thing was too sad to think about. That gave me pause, I expect there are a lot of folks like that.

Anonymous said...

Anon 4:13 wrote:
"The reporter from ABC news was horrible. Rambling questions, interrputing - he loves to hear himself speak.

"I kept waiting for him to shut up so KC and the other author could speak.

"Also, he embarrassed himself with that flippant comment about Dan Abrams."

--------------

Interesting, how well-intended people can get opposite impressions from the same broadcast.

I can't imagine how GMA could have given KC and Stuart a better set-up, with the positive introductions, the concise yet extremely informative factual summary, the great set-up questions, all expressed with appropriate incredulity that such a huge and horrendous hoax could have begun with one puny man's greed to increase his insigificant pension...

...and all of it given greater weight by Chris "Son of Mario" Cuomo's impeccable liberal pedigree, and by his diligent preparation.

Sorry, didn't notice interruptions or rambling. What you're calling interruptions may have just been Chris' impulsive prompts to move KC and Stuart directly into their best, pithiest material -- not that they needed help, since their whole presentation was extremely well-prepared and showed an excellent grasp of both the medium and their material.

I had zero trouble understanding Cuomo's brief, joking reference to his "unknown" rival broadcaster -- not many years ago, he would have been forbidden to mention the name of somebody on another network. Cut him that tiny slack.

Frankly, I don't know what more you could have asked, short of somebody coming out to kiss KC's feet and his bow-tie.

As book-tour appearances go, this was an author's dream.

Congrats, KC! Happy sales, and bon voyage.

Anonymous said...

You're right Haskell, but with the book coming out and all the new press and stories surrounding it I think many will revisit the story.

Hopefully it also shows the 88 and Broadhead that their actions won't be forgotten.

Anonymous said...

KC, thank you very much for this blog, which allowed the truth win out. Your insight and comments are something I have looked forward
every day to for over a year as well.

I wish you the best in future endeavours, Congrats on the book, can't wait to read, but feel like I already have! You've given me back a modicum of hope for the future, small though it is.

Debrah said...

But "mac"---we're not ready to say goodbye to the Midnight Rider yet.....who makes the truth hurt so good.

Hold on until the very last day....when Wonderland gates are locked.....

.....when everyone will be aching for a KC fix.....he's so contagious.....he turns my pages!

Anonymous said...

KC-
Thanks for the vauluable reporting.
You have made me proud to be a CUNY graduate!
BS

mac said...

Dearest Debrah,

I will hold out to the end, assuredly. Understand: I'm preparing myself for the loss.

Aren't there a lot of addictive personalities represented here, anyway?

Debrah said...

LOL!!!

"mac"--Yes.

But this is a sweet addiction.

:>)

Anonymous said...

I already posted my thanks to Prof. Johnson and am nearly finished the book (very, very good), but in reading today's commentary, I'm reminded of a line from one of my favorite books/movies from my childhood (paraphrasing): " . . . so shines a good deed in a weary world . . ."

Perhaps it is not only the enormity of what Prof. Johnson with this blog has accomplished, but also because there are so few truly good deeds in the world that it is appropriate to refer to Prof. Johnson as a . . . hero.

Anonymous said...

anon 6:17:
"I'm reminded of a line from one of my favorite books/movies from my childhood (paraphrasing): ' . . . so shines a good deed in a weary world . . .' "
========

It's from Shakespeare -- "The Merchant of Venice".
But, sounds like you're remembering it from near the end of the "Willy Wonka" movie -- the good one, with Gene Wilder.

Debrah said...

" there are so few truly good deeds in the world that it is appropriate to refer to Prof. Johnson as a . . . hero."


Indeed.

KC is also a prince among men!

Debrah said...

I just realized today....(contemplating the sublime).....that KC's whole academic/political/intellectual integrity is so reminiscent of the late Patrick Moynahan.

A true intellectual and a statesman.

Respected and admired regardless of political or ideological leanings.

Anonymous said...

Thanks KC. I'm a habitual reader and occassional commentor. I am awed by the effort you have put into this project. Although you deserve the accolades posted herein, if I'm not mistaken your satisfaction comes from the difference you have made in the accused students' lives.

You have restore some faith in your noble profession.

I also want to thank the other commentors, and especially Prof. Horowitz, who has provided a valuable service in helping avoid the perils group-think. (5:10 - well-said)

Best of luck in you new adventure to the holy land.

-RD

Anonymous said...

to 6.53

Debrah is so beyond sycophantic that I feel the need to coin a new term to describe her ...

lipiricious!

Stuart McGeady said...

Stuart Taylor just hit a grand slam home run in an interview with Tucker Carlson on MSNBC. Look for replays during late night progamming.

Stuart McGeady said...

To RD @ 6:56...

That's Professor Steve Horwitz, not to be confused with Dr. David Horowitz, although I would venture that we're all fighting for similar ends.

Anonymous said...

QUESTION to Dr. Johnson

Wouldn't you agree that the weasel Cuomo hogged airtime to divert discussions of Duke's affirmative action problem and its relationship to all things 88?

I think he was literally TALKING OVER YOU.

What do you think?

Stuart Taylor?

Debrah said...

Oh, but dear "no longer anonymous"---The Diva never opens her mouth or touches her keyboard without a very deep understanding of her words.

LIS!

I'm not "sycophantic" by nature. Quite the contrary, actually.

To be in that territory, one would be expecting something.

My words are facts.

Expressive, yes. But facts....as everyone here knows.

I am gratified they have moved you.

:>)

Debrah said...

TO Stu Daddy--

Thanks for reminding us; however, on the East Coast, no more Tucker for tonight. I don't think they replay it more than once.

I forget all about Stuart being on the show.

Here, it plays at 4 and replays at 6PM.

Anonymous said...

In spite of the comments here suggesting that the story of Durham is now over, I for one do not believe it.

I do not believe Nifong was motivated by his retirement fund. I do not believe Durham PD just folded for no reason. I do not believe the AG's stated reason for failing to prosecute the false accuser.

There is more going on in Wonderland than meets the eye.

Anonymous said...

From the main editorial in today's Duke Chronicle. You know, the paper KC has described as excellent?

The ex-Durham district attorney was held in criminal contempt of court Friday and sentenced to one day in jail. After the past year and a half, few would question the judge's decision.

And frankly, most people on campus don't really care anymore.

http://media.www.dukechronicle.com/media/storage/paper884/news/2007/09/04/Editorial/Who-Cares.About.Mike.Nifong-2948861.shtml

It seems the Duke students have moved on. Why can't you folks?

Read it and weep, beeyotches.

Anonymous said...

Got my copy today, but at B & N in center city Philadelphia there where no copies out. I had to ask and then they sent someone to the basement to get a copy?

Debrah said...

TO 7:03PM--

lipiricious?

The word you "coined"?

I must tell you that you have to clue us into the puzzle if you wish to venture into an Aesopian mode.

For making up little words, you get a slight nod.

The word is decidedly voluptuarian in nature.

bobo1949 said...

to 7:17PM
Looks to me like the G88 trolls are striking yet again. Of particular interest is the phraseology used. Probably some white guy trying to act like he lives in the "hood". How very sad.
Mike Rayfield
Spring, TX

Anonymous said...

Anyone else really tired of Debrah? This is supposed to be a thread for people who are new to the blog. Instead we get the usual drivel.

Steven Horwitz said...

Thank you RD at 656.

And, Stu Daddy, yes indeed David Horowitz (extra o) is no relation. I have many sympathies for his concerns, but not so many for his methods.

Anonymous said...

7:15.

I agree. There IS MORE. Although KC has done a tremendous job of uncovering and exposing, I would bet my next year's income ( enough to pay for a few LAX players) that there is MORE. Just waiting, hoping, praying, for the right person (s) to come along to take it to the next level.


7:17: The Duke students have others things to attend to right now than pressing the issue on the LAX hoax. They can be excused for wanting to attend classes and write papers. Hopefully they will show up enmass when KC speaks.

But one cannot always guage the long-term value of a particular issue by the presence / absence of the attention of college students.

Let them "move on". But let US keep the heat on... perhaps in the burning, the essence will actually be found. And MORE truth, will be uncovered.

Move on?? Now wouldn't that just be exactly what Duke, Durham, Nifong and his nut-case co-hoaxers would wish?

Move where? Why?

We are prone to do that in the good ole USA... MOVE on? Forget the 3,000 who died in the Towers. "heal" "Put it behind you", and the psycho-babble of the PC crowd ( who never seem to put ANYTHING behind them)

Nope.... I would say, REMEMBER, lest it happen again!!!!

Anonymous said...

KC for President!
Or at least for Attorney General?

Anonymous said...

I have a recommendation for Nifong's next involuntary stay in a public facility.

When he is found guilty of obstruction of justice ( or whatever charges you lawyer types think it will be) I think PART of his punishment should be that he has to read "Until Proven Innocent" and take a quiz especially designed for him by KC.

Only upon successful completion of the quiz, and a major term-paper would he even be considered for parole.

DREAM ON!

dsl

Anonymous said...

Thanks Stu Daddy, and applogies Prof. Horwitz.

-RD

Debrah said...

A previous poster mentioned trolls.

Yes, it seems there are lurkers and urchins among us today.

A few from other blogs have even tried to get close to KC's aura.....hoping something academically sound might rub off.

Amusing to watch.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

teach1975

Is that you, Johnny?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Re the 7:17,

"It seems the Duke students have moved on. Why can't you folks?"

Wishful thinking, sir or ma'am or whoever. The guy who WANTS to move on is David Graham who wrote the editorial, though he kept his sneer level somewhat below that of 7:17. It's a pleasure to see the comment section take him to task, demanding answers from his bully pulpit (which seems programmed only to transmit, not to receive, in the fine old NYT authoritarian manner). He's apparently a history major, and it's a fair question to ask if he is taking or has taken classes from any G88 member (which could affect his grades, or at least his attitude).

Kristin Butler he aint, but thankfully Ms. Butler still writes for the Chronicle too. Stay tuned, we'll see if 7:17 gets its wish.

Debrah said...

8:12PM.............

Shades of a long-banned poseur....flaming.

LOL!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

correction

forgot to add [sic]

the correct spelling, of course, is sycophant

Debrah said...

This blog is not fascinated by anything.

Many have been repulsed by the malice and the sick Sybil-role-playing to do damage.

That problem has been taken care of.

Anonymous said...

It's a pleasure to see the comment section take him to task, demanding answers from his bully pulpit (which seems programmed only to transmit, not to receive, in the fine old NYT authoritarian manner).

Though, interestingly, there are only about seven comments. Only one appears to be from a student, and the rest are not.

Wishful thinking on your part, it seems.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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Debrah said...

TO 8:43PM--

My senses went in that direction.

Mostly because his show didn't fly here today.

However, unlike that flamer, he is a literate man.

:>)

Anonymous said...

KC, thanks for your hard work and the important role you have played in "taking out the trash" in our community as well as addressing some cancers in academia.

I'm sure many would love to see you lead a movement to reform higher education but there is a great deal everyone can do.

First, get and stay informed.

1. Read "Shadow University" by Kors and Silverglate.
2. Follow the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) at www.thefire.org.
3. Keep up with the latest higher ed wackiness at www.mindingthecampus.com.
4. Try to get the indie film Indoctrinate U screened in your area.

Then act . . .

1. Find out what your alma mater has been up to since you graduated. FIRE gives colleges and universities red/yellow/green ratings for their freedom or lack thereof. If your school has been peeing on the First Amendment, contact them and complain.

2. For public universities that go over the line, contact state legislators.

3. Withhold financial support from oppressive institutions and tell them you are doing so and why.

4. If you have children who are applying to college or will be soon, discuss your concerns about the more totalitarian institutions that they are interested in.

5. Learn about what goes on at schools by contacting the editors or staffers of campus publications which hold non-mainstream views. On some campuses, these would be the more conservative, Republican, or libertarian publications.

6. When you hear about suppression of free speech at places like Columbia, Tufts, or other nationally known institutions, send an email to their Presidents.

This blog has been fun, but it has impressed upon me the need for anyone who cares about higher education to make a stink about craven administrators and dysthymic academics who are basically overgrown playground bullies.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Internet Black Holes

"Fifteen countries are holes in the World Wide Web. News is not free to circulate there. These enemies of the Internet are ...talking without any shame about the freedom of expression."

www.rsf.org

Clearly they've not been to Durham and met any of the Klan of 88.

"Shut up and teach!"

Anonymous said...

Deborah

Ithink Horwitz is smart enough to deliberately misspell sycophant.

Anonymous said...

"Shut up and teach!"

I assume this is in reference to the calls for the Dixie Chicks to "Shut Up and Sing" after they opposed the Iraq war.

Could you show less class if you tried?

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