PressEthic

In the conspiracy theory video given to me by the Investigate 911 group at the 9/11 memorial services this year there was a University of Wisconsin- Madison professor Kevin Barrett that supports the beliefs of the Investigate 911 group. In the video Barrett outwardly engages in verbal combat with two news reporters from FOX News, I believe, and isn't afraid to say that the government is responsible for the 911 attacks. Now, Barrett is back in the news as he is comparing Bush to Hitler. I am not surprised at this line of conversation because I have heard it many time before. What I am interested in is the fact that CNN.com is writing about it. When Barrett was on FOX news he was attacked. The reporters talked over him, called him an extremist and were really disrespectful- they barely let him talk at all. It was a very very biased interview so for CNN to write this article I am pleased. The University has agreed to let Barrett teach the course and his views as long as students are allowed to challenge them. My interest in CNN.com divulging this story is because Barrett is talking about a theory that he believes to be true. He compares Hitler to Bush and even insults Bush's intelligence by saying that because Hitler's IQ was higher comparing him to Bush is an insult. To some Barrett might be spewing extremely unpatriotic ideals but CNN is publishing them. I think this is good personally because it allows people to have a different perspective to consider or debate. I was surprised to see this article on CNN especially with a link on the first page of the US section. Barrett is also not alone as his article about 9/11 will be published in a book of essays with articles from other authors along the same lines as his. Democratics and republicans alike have already attacked him but Barrett isn't a stupid opponent. He is a very smart individual and if freedom of speech is still allowed in this country he should be able to voice his opinions. More importantly, I am happy that CNN produced a seemingly unbiased protrayal of the news.