Anthony Maschek, Wounded War Vet, Heckled At Columbia University ROTC Hearing

A wounded Iraq war veteran and Columbia University freshman was jeered during a meeting about bringing ROTC back to the school, the New York Post reports.

Anthony Maschek, a wheelchair-bound Purple Heart recipient who was shot 11 times during his time in Iraq, was hissed and booed at when he spoke in support of ROTC during the Feb. 15 town hall meeting. Some students shouted "racist" during Maschek's testimony, during which he stated, "It doesn't matter how you feel about the war. It doesn't matter how you feel about fighting. There are bad men out there plotting to kill you." (Listen to audio of Maschek's remarks here.)

ROTC has not been present on the Columbia campus for 42 years, and the debate on bringing it back in the wake of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal has been contentious. In a recent piece, Spectator opinion blogger Caroline Blosser addressed the controversial fight, which has snowballed into a pro- and anti-military argument:

"... ultimately I find something fundamentally flawed with the current debate that has nothing to do with the content of either side but rather with the debate itself ... The ROTC question has exploded into a wholly larger debate, an infinitely expansive, poignant, and polymorphous debate on militarism and war. But the ROTC debate platform cannot adequately hold the weight of such grave discussions."

Columbia's University Senate will conclude a poll gauging student thoughts on bringing ROTC back to campus Thursday.

Comments

[Orlando]

11:29 PM on 02/24/2011

The military has lost substantial respect from our citizens here at home when they started to wage war for empire.

The people which still support the military are typically connected somehow, economically or emotionally.

To wage war for economic reasons is immoral and against most religions including Christianity "Thou Shalt not Kill?" yet people sustain a disconnect between their actions/career and "beliefs".

The fact that we have over 700 military bases in approximately 135 countries speaks volumes towards our motivation towards world economic domination.

We have allowed our citizens to become immoral killers in support of an economic system.

Look at yourself in the mirror and ask why you do not speak out against this injustice to those around you. How do you profit from the war economy? Is it worth it?

The military must recruit from the high schools and junior highs as they are the most vunerable of our population. ROTC is the chief vehicle in bringing in these recruits. Opt out.

[Clooney5190]

07:31 AM on 02/25/2011

Okay so to follow your logic that Columbia should not allow for students who may become immoral in their chosen profession then let's lose some departments.

Economics, accounting, business all gone. They could become bankers and be responsible for the next immoral Wall Street scandal.

Political Science, gone. They could become a member of the government! They are the ones who are all about world domination.

Philosophy and religion, gone. From reading your post you won't mind a loss of religion, but isn't that what all philosophy is? They could become leaders of the religious right!

Computer science and any technological department, gone. They could grow up to write software that goes in the Predator drones! Or worse they could invent something like a Predator drone!

Art department, gone. They could end up working for the government and design a propaganda poster for the war!

Law, gone. They could become government lawyers and be responsible for making a Supreme Court case argument that eliminates civil rights entirely!

I can literally do that all day. Blaming someone for something they haven't done yet is ignorant.

As for looking myself in the mirror and asking why I don't fight injustice when I see it? I wrote this response, so mission accomplished. Heckling an injured war veteran who is asking for the right to coexist is wrong.

Opt out of misplaced anger and hate! Stay classy Columbia.

[KKSSHOE]

04:30 PM on 02/25/2011

You are 100% correct!! Fanned

[Ichigo Kurosaki]

08:22 PM on 02/24/2011

I am a college professor and combat veteran. I find the actions of those "students" to be despicable.

[KKSSHOE]

04:32 PM on 02/25/2011

To do your duty as a solider is a very righteous act indeed.

[blacksox88]

07:51 PM on 02/24/2011

As an undergrad who knows Anthony personally and attended the town hall meeting, I can honestly say the incident was seriously overblown by the media. Out of the over 200 in attendance, about 10 jeered him. At least ten times more yelled back for being disrespectful. Anthony released a statement affirming his appreciation for Columbians for being more than willing for hearing his story and providing a friendly environment. I ask you do not antagonize the entire Columbia community.

[annersbananers]

03:06 PM on 02/24/2011

That's disrespectful. Really really disrespectful. I thought Ivys were full of refined, polite, students.

[bob pistrami]

07:38 AM on 02/24/2011

if i were the parent of the elitist snob, i would cut off any assistance and force that individual earn the education. privilige comes with a price, often paid by individuals with out

[CptFreakout]

07:11 PM on 02/23/2011

I wonder how many of the rude children want/expect government help with school but won't enlist and get the GI bill .

[MMRDO]

08:32 PM on 02/23/2011

Most...

[Upside]

02:03 PM on 02/23/2011

From a freedom of speech point of view, people have a right to speak and people have a right to voice their disagreement. As you all well remember, one of our nation's legislators publicly heckled our military's commander-in-chief during a nationally televised address and many people on the right rushed to defend his outburst.

My father is a vet but that doesn't give him a magical "do not challenge my opinions" cloak. Simply wearing a uniform, whether gravely injured or not, does not excuse one's views from public scrutiny. This student/soldier clearly knew that he was speaking on a contentious political issue and not at a memorial service for a fallen soldier so I am sure that he went up to the podium fully expecting open disagreement from his audience. No surprises there.

Moreover, this open veneration for all things military becomes dangerous when used as tool to suppress dissent. The skepticism shown by these young people, contrary to what a lot of ppl here have posted, reflects a healthy democracy.

[RIConservative]

06:10 PM on 02/23/2011

I agree 100% that often times certain people are used to speak about hot button political issues because these people represent something of an untouchable and their opinions go unchallenged. Ann Coulter argued the same point and called it a doctrine of infallability when 9/11 Widows were used to support John Kerry, you use someone who it would be reprehensible to challenge so that the message itself cannot be challenged. Of course she was attacked in the mainstream media for her analysis.
I do however think that in this circumstance it is different. Mr. Masheck spoke at a meeting in which people were given the opportunity to stand up at the microphone and agree or disagree with his message, and they did so sometimes emphatically. Columbia and the ROTC supporters were not trying to silence opposition, they were letting a current student who had seen the truly horrible side of war speak his mind, and then anyone else could have spoken their mind as well. A few students, decided to forgoe waiting their turn and instead decided to act cowardly and call him a racist, and laugh and jeer from the safety of their own seats.
So, as i said, I agree 100% that Mr. Masheck deserved to be questioned on his opinion. He didn't deserve to be called names and laughed at while he tried to give it. If they had any courage at all they would have responded to his opinion rather than try to silence it.

[allengoldchain]

08:25 PM on 02/22/2011

Anthony Maschek is a hero for serving this country and not be heckled out by anyone. If it wasn't for the honorable men and women serving this country we would not be who we are today. I can tolerate people attacking me for my views but when it comes to our troops that is unacceptable period! These guys have seen things and experience situations that not many have been through, the lease these Columbia students could do is give him a little respect. His only choice was to serve this country..

Columbia what's your excuse! You don't have any!

Anthony Maschek thank you for your service to this country and ignore those that think otherwise.

[theaustralian]

06:53 AM on 02/23/2011

So his views cant be challenged.

[Berettasskeeter]

09:05 AM on 02/23/2011

He wasn't challenged, and that is NOT what the poster said. He was heckled, and that is rude, unnecessary, and typical of Columbia!
Semper fi

[RIConservative]

02:43 PM on 02/23/2011

Well said. I like to think that all of us are supporters of America, we just disagree on how it should be run. Anthony Maschek is not a policy maker, he was doing his job- a job designed to protect America and Americans...How could he possibly deserve what he received.

On a good note, however, I have seen many articles and opinions from Colombia students that say that those hecklers do not speak for them.

[gingerred]

04:34 PM on 02/23/2011

that is good to hear

[RVU]

08:21 PM on 02/22/2011

Only an individual with deep seated animosity and disrespect for America would jeer at a wounded veteran in a wheelchair. Columbia University or one of the local papers should name these rich kids or government supported punks hanging that nazi sign. Disgusting piles of primordial ooze who would be the first to cite a speech code to control people who criticize their ideas. Thank God, the rest of the world is a liberal thought-control zone like the Columbia Univ. campus. These irrational punks are in for a shock by the common sense and love for America that exists outside of the college campus that will appopriately shun them.

[DaveV81]

02:46 AM on 02/23/2011

It's Liberals like you who give us all a bad name. You deserve far worse then this Veteran.

[Berettasskeeter]

09:05 AM on 02/23/2011

Have you called the police with evidence of his murders?
Semper fi

[billysixx]

07:39 PM on 02/22/2011

"But we support the troops." Yea....sure you do. Those silly "progressives".

[hagagaga]

07:50 PM on 02/22/2011

Every time I look at this website, I see things that make me extremely ashamed of my fellow liberals...

[CessnaDriverI72]

09:12 PM on 02/22/2011

The best way to support the troops: Don't send them on fool's errands.

My dad was a severely disabled veteran. He didn't expect any special treatment.

[Vieux Charles]

07:39 PM on 02/22/2011

Columbia University receives hundreds of millions of dollars every year in research grants and sponsored projects.

In display of their gratitude, the alumni and student body:

hosted Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

assaulted and used racial epithets against invented Minutemen guest speakers

joined Sen John Kerry in insulting US troops "get us stuck in Iraq"

continue to employ specious reasoning to deny ROTC participation on campus

and now this


PULL FUNDING NOW!!!

[allengoldchain]

08:28 PM on 02/22/2011

yeah pull the funding is what i say if they have that type of attitude towards our troops..
ACORN - check
Plan Parenthood - check
CPB - check

Columbia U - next

PULL FUNDING NOW!!!

[healthanalyst]

02:12 AM on 02/25/2011

How about

ADM
tax breaks for Exxon (funny it pays $15 billion in foreign taxes 0 to the US)
Goldman Sachs
taxes for the rich - there's a war on, think of it as your fair share

[Melissa Marshall]

06:08 PM on 02/22/2011

I don't think he deserved to get booed for voicing his opinion. No, being shot 11 times shouldn't make a person untouchable, but I can understand why he came to the conclusion that there are "bad people out there" trying to kill us after an experience like that. However vague or misguided those comments were, I don't think it was respectful of those students to jeer at him. They too had the opportunity to voice their opinion at the meeting, and could have done so rather than jeer.
On the subject of ROTC, I don't see why they shouldn't let the organization come to campus. Columbia is full of extremely intelligent people, who can no doubt form their own opinion of military service and decide if ROTC is an organization for them. I think it is unlikely that ROTC would come to campus and immediately indoctrinate any member of the student body into a brainwashed war-monger.
Sometimes I think it is easy to forget that being against war and the reprehensible way the United States involves itself in other nations' business doesn't have to mean being against those or serve, or labeling them as brainwashed victims.

[nick 5228]

07:33 PM on 02/22/2011

Excellent comment Melissa - many of the individuals that I have talked to both on Army bases and at West Point are well educated, respectful, polite and open to conversation. Many when asked "why are you here" simply reply that they wanted to thank their country for all that it has provided and just to help.

[allengoldchain]

08:34 PM on 02/22/2011

absolutely

[allengoldchain]

08:33 PM on 02/22/2011

great point.. War is a touch decision that is decided by the politicians... The military does nothing but carry orders. The last time I checked Congress approved both wars, regardless of claims now that they were supposedly lied to, the did vote for it. That includes Kerry and although Obama says he would not have voted for it, the fact is that he continues both wars.

The ROTC program is a great way of recruiting men and women into serving this country. That is what every single soldiers signs to first before anything else. No respect to those students who enjoy the life of not having to see what those honorable men and women see every day. Here they had an opportunity to engage in a civil debate but failed miserable in winning the argument by going to name calling and jeers...

Columbia Univ. students.. shame on you!

[nick 5228]

04:16 PM on 02/23/2011

Great comment - SEE and no one was jeering or getting nasty. True discourse in a respectful manner and a pleasure to receive.

[Andrew McManis]

05:54 PM on 02/22/2011

This is much ado about nothin. He got more cheers than "jeers". One moronic woman who lives in a world where everyone loves each other saying "are you serious?" is the lightest dusting of heckling.

[Fretchen]

05:48 PM on 02/22/2011

As retired military and thrice wounded, I believe that being a wounded/disabled veteran does not guarantee the right to speak and be heard, but being an American does.

As for allowing ROTC at Columbia - it will not happen, but most people here are missing another important issue. Consider: Whether you like it or not, federal law (the Solomon Amendment) allows the Secretary of Defense to strip a college or university of ALL federal funding (including student grants/loans) if the school bans/prohibits ROTC or any other military recruitment on campus. Solomon was passed in 1996, later challenged, and subsequently upheld unanimously by the Supreme Court in its March 6, 2006 ruling. This attempt by the Army to re-establish a program at Columbia may be a test case since it benefits the service to get an unambiguous statement of the intent to comply or not comply (as at Columbia) with the law.

The DOD has rightfully been reluctant to suspend federal funds, but it would not be surprising if it now chose to do so. Perhaps when funding is discontinued, institutions like Columbia will suddenly understand that there are obligations when an entity actively seeks and accepts federal dollars and that there are penalties when the obligations are not met.

[onionboy]

06:12 PM on 02/22/2011

Re: Solomon...yes and no IMO. The university cannot have a policy or in any other way officially prohibit ROTC. But they can require them to meet the standards required of all other programs. I believe that was the basis with regard to DADT, that no program could discriminate based on sexuality. DADT is not fully implemented yet, but I presume that you're right that there will be a test case once they've done so. There will be two other tricky areas to contend with. (1) They'll have to make sure they've met all of the standards and, depending on how those standards are written, Columbia could turn it into a decades-long legal battle. (2) It only applies to the university's official position. Students are free to do whatever they like dissuade the implementation, including marches and just generally not making it worth the military's time.

Interesting point, though.

[Fretchen]

08:23 PM on 02/22/2011

Some additional thoughts:

1. An ROTC candidate must meet all requirements of the university to attend and matriculate. Some institutions award minimal academic credits for military science, while others do not, at the university's option.

However, ROTC programs are NOT subject to all univeristy policies. The program, by its very nature, must also meet military regulations. Universities accepting federal funds are informed that institution requirements do not necessarily apply to ROTC when those regulations are contrary to military rules and regulations as authorized by Congress. Basically, this means that ROTC-specific program requirements are operated primarily under federal laws that supesede university rules/regulations up to and including possible conflict with university-based discrimination policies such as the previously Congressionally-approved DADT policy.

2. I do not have a problem with students voicing their opinions and I doubt anyone of significance in DOD has one either.

The emphasis is on the official position of the institution. Columbia's unwritten policy denies military recruitment and ROTC. The attempt to re-establish ROTC and recruitment access will force an official Columbia stance. The real question is whether or not DOD decides to make Columbia an example of what happens when the obligations are not met, which they clearly will not be.

3. No one is forcing postsecondary insitutions to accept ROTC and military recruitment. An insitution can simply choose not to apply for or accept federal funds. However, they cannot both deny the program/recruitment and receive federal funds.

[Clearbrook]

06:19 PM on 02/22/2011

Elena Kagan herself has famously gone on record on this issue. Harvard, knowing they could loose $400 MILLION per year we give to their rich kids, know which side their bread is buttered on and are wisely making overtures about bringing ROTC back.


"As of 2010, Harvard employs about 2,100 faculty to teach and advise, approximately 6,700 undergraduates (Harvard College) and 14,500 graduate and professional students."



Wow, I wonder how much of that $400 Million each of THOSE 23,300 poor students and faculty members stand to loose? I mean, if it all goes to just them, that averages out to just over $17 Thousand Each per year, which I am SO sure that they all need!



For that matter, I think it would be a good thing for Columbia to Reject ALL FEDERAL FUNDING and ROTC at the same time. Save the Secratary of Defense the Trouble of actually taking the money away from them. Columbia can survive just fine on their Uber Liberal Ideals alone. They don't need our stinkin' money! We are fascists to give it to them and force them to be accepting of other points of view, after all!

Whoot!!!

[onionboy]

06:42 PM on 02/22/2011

The $400 million for Harvard likely has more to do with federal grants for research rather than tuition, and probably some DOD research. So, someone would need to evaluate the worth to the fed of losing that. Plus, Harvard has a $30B+ endowment. By my math, they could make up that difference for 75 years without another penny. But given that DADT was their stated reason for disallowing ROTC, then it is consistent with their position to allow them back once DADT is fully implemented (which I think is supposed to be the end of this year).

Columbia I'm sure doesn't have the same level endowment and might be under different financial constraints, but the end result for both universities could be the same. All the universities are required to do is treat them like every other academic organization. The students have no such requirement. And if there is not enough activity to justify the efforts at either place, ROTC will leave. Doing otherwise would be a waste of taxpayer money. So, it's going to be up to the students in the end.