#2A: U.T. Faculty Council Encourages Deceiving Legislators

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
Ephesians 5:11

Earlier this morning, Breitbart Texas reported on a campus wide e-mail sent by the U.T. faculty council chairman Bill Beckner encouraging professors to troll testify at tomorrow's second amendment hearing in the Texas Senate.  Less than an hour ago, this author posted the Breitbart article to our personal facebook page.  Within ten minutes, a source in the U.T. system forwarded us Beckner's follow up e-mail from this morning.

Today's message dealt with ways for U.T. faculty members to express their thoughts on the bill.  After a section filled with standard information about contacting legislators, the note explains how to avoid the appearance of state employees lobbying on pending legislation.  While most of the advice successfully threaded this needle, one suggestion was galling:

[I]f you choose to send an email message, it would be recommended to use a non-UT email address if possible. Keep in mind that we want to be careful to not be charged as irresponsible in using university resources.

Translation: It's ok for the U.T. faculty council to use state resources to coordinate their AstroTurf campaign "legislative testimony," but it's bad politics to let legislators know that's exactly what you're already doing.

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On another note, check out Beckner's Orwellian closing paragraph:

We appreciate very much your help in working on this challenging issue that confronts college faculty all across the state. As Chancellor McRaven has so aptly stated, legislative measures of this type do not contribute to the safety of students, faculty and staff on our campuses. It is our charge to explain this viewpoint in public discussion.

[Author's Note: Emphasis added.]

Translation: Tow the faculty line on this issue...or else.

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Beckner's full message:

2AU.T.facultyCouncilFollowUp