Comments on: Duke Economics Professors Take a Stand

By: Aakash

Aakash — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 04:04:03 +0000

It is refreshing that such a non-vague public statement was issued by a sizeable number (the majority, perhaps?) of the Faculty of a major university such as Duke.

I might've expected that something like this would be more likely to come from the Computer Science or Accounting or Engineering departments, but the fact that it comes from a department of a social science is all the more uplifting. Also good to see was that many of these professors appear to be minorities. (The professor, critical of Nifong who I just saw featured on this evening's 60 Minutes story, is African-American... I wonder if he had to face criticism for his strong stance, especially earlier, when so many were making this into an issue of racism.)

By: Steve Verdon

Steve Verdon — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 05:40:11 +0000

Well, the opposite situation would be where the prosecutions case got stronger as time went by, things like the DNA would cut agains the players, etc. So in that case, no, I don't think we'd see a similar statement and for good reason. Sure, in this case it is kind of like a bandwagon effect, but still it is nice to see professors making a very public break with their more...strident colleagues.

By: just me

just me — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 20:56:26 +0000

I disagree. While it is true they released this statement at a time when the case has just about completely fallen aprt, it still sends the message, “Not all Duke Professor’s are complete kooks who let their own ideological views over-ride their brains.”

Not sure. Would these guys have made the same statement, had the case not fallen apart?

This was nothing more than a modern day lynching. Just as African Americans were lynched simply because they were black, these athletes were tried and found guilty by the media, Duke and various others because they were wealthy and white.

Although it is nice to see at least some people take a stand, I can't help but wonder if they would have taken this stand had the case not been falling apart.

By: Steve Verdon

Steve Verdon — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 18:13:17 +0000

To Duke economists: too little, too late.

I disagree. While it is true they released this statement at a time when the case has just about completely fallen aprt, it still sends the message, "Not all Duke Professor's are complete kooks who let their own ideological views over-ride their brains."

By: Beldar

Beldar — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 17:07:39 +0000

It's not a particularly bold statement, is it? The only reason it's at all remarkable is that it's a contrast to the ~~Gang~~ ~~Lynchmob~~ Group of 88's statement.

By: just me

just me — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 13:52:00 +0000

While I think this is a nice gesture, where were they when the group of 88 was screaming for the heads of the lacrosse players?

This is sort of like trying to shut the barn door after the horses got out.

By: Edgardo

Edgardo — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 10:38:48 +0000

To Duke economists: too little, too late.

By: LeftCoastRightWinger

LeftCoastRightWinger — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 02:07:25 +0000

That entire process from day one brings to mind the term "I've been Duked" instead of I've been "Borked"

By: Christopher

Christopher — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 01:18:17 +0000

The Group of 88: Typical liberals. No surprise in their actions.

Nice to see, however, some sensible people here.