The future of ignorance
It sadden me the other day when I read this in the newspaper about a student being threatened at my former university because he is Jewish. I can not believe this kind of stupidity and ignorance still exists today and it's actually occurring at the school I attended which is only 30 minutes away. I just never have understood what certain people have against Jews and their faith . . . we should be past this kind of igorance in today's society. I just hope nothing happens to him . . . it would make me realize that hate still exist and we are never safe from people like that.
Web post supports hate-crime threat
By BRANDON PUTTBRESE
Gannett Tennessee
MURFREESBORO - A Web post by a white supremacist Internet radio personality appears to support a hate-crime threat against a Jewish MTSU student.
The FBI informed Middle Tennessee State University officials Friday of a potential death threat against a Jewish student living in Monohan Hall, a dorm on campus.
Over the weekend, a post on HalTurnerShow.com referred to the threat as a "tune-up." In a post on Sunday, Internet radio personality Hal Turner attributed the death threat to his listeners.
"I hear rumors that 'friends' of 'The Hal Turner Show' allegedly prepared to pay (the MTSU student) a visit last night after midnight," the post said. "I also hear rumors they became aware of enormous police surveillance and a large police presence in and around the Monohon (sic) Dorm."
University officials said action was taken to protect the student and to maintain safety on campus. MTSU spokesman Tom Tozer said the FBI is taking the threat seriously.
"We don't expect anything to occur, but because we don't know we're remaining vigilant," Tozer said. "Arrangements are being made for the student to finish the semester away from campus."
Tozer said he is not aware of any previous threat linked to hate groups affecting the university. "We pride ourselves on diversity at this campus," he said.
Radio host speaks out
Turner, a self-proclaimed "white nationalist" who advocates on his talk show the killing of illegal immigrants, Jews and public officials, says in a disclaimer on his Web site he is not responsible for his supporters, who convene on his Internet message boards.
But in the Sunday post, Turner did say his supporters would take action to promote the "White race."
"This is a good opportunity for me to remind everyone that what goes on at this Web site is not a joke. The issues raised here are serious. The people who visit this site are deadly serious in their commitment to the White race and we simply will not abide opposition or interference from the non-white hordes or their jew puppet masters," the post states.
"Unlike other pro-White sites, the people who come to this site don't simply talk, they take real life action."
Turner was not available for comment at the number listed on HalTurnerShow.com.
Lon Nuell, the academic adviser for the Jewish student organization Hillel, said Turner's message is supporting hate crime against anyone who's not heterosexual and white.
"It's horrible, and there's no place for it on campus, in Murfreesboro, Rutherford County or the state of Tennessee," said Nuell, an MTSU art professor.
In general, the university is an accepting community for Jews, but there are still some "on the fringe who hate," Nuell said. Nuell said there are relatively few Jewish students at MTSU, where more than 23,000 undergraduates attend classes.
The Hillel organization, which is open to the entire student body, recently shared a meal with Muslim students at the school. Nuell said Hillel supports building bridges with all groups and ethnicities in the community.
"But there's always someone trying to tear it down because they disagree with the notion that people should live in harmony," Nuell said.
Web post supports hate-crime threat
By BRANDON PUTTBRESE
Gannett Tennessee
MURFREESBORO - A Web post by a white supremacist Internet radio personality appears to support a hate-crime threat against a Jewish MTSU student.
The FBI informed Middle Tennessee State University officials Friday of a potential death threat against a Jewish student living in Monohan Hall, a dorm on campus.
Over the weekend, a post on HalTurnerShow.com referred to the threat as a "tune-up." In a post on Sunday, Internet radio personality Hal Turner attributed the death threat to his listeners.
"I hear rumors that 'friends' of 'The Hal Turner Show' allegedly prepared to pay (the MTSU student) a visit last night after midnight," the post said. "I also hear rumors they became aware of enormous police surveillance and a large police presence in and around the Monohon (sic) Dorm."
University officials said action was taken to protect the student and to maintain safety on campus. MTSU spokesman Tom Tozer said the FBI is taking the threat seriously.
"We don't expect anything to occur, but because we don't know we're remaining vigilant," Tozer said. "Arrangements are being made for the student to finish the semester away from campus."
Tozer said he is not aware of any previous threat linked to hate groups affecting the university. "We pride ourselves on diversity at this campus," he said.
Radio host speaks out
Turner, a self-proclaimed "white nationalist" who advocates on his talk show the killing of illegal immigrants, Jews and public officials, says in a disclaimer on his Web site he is not responsible for his supporters, who convene on his Internet message boards.
But in the Sunday post, Turner did say his supporters would take action to promote the "White race."
"This is a good opportunity for me to remind everyone that what goes on at this Web site is not a joke. The issues raised here are serious. The people who visit this site are deadly serious in their commitment to the White race and we simply will not abide opposition or interference from the non-white hordes or their jew puppet masters," the post states.
"Unlike other pro-White sites, the people who come to this site don't simply talk, they take real life action."
Turner was not available for comment at the number listed on HalTurnerShow.com.
Lon Nuell, the academic adviser for the Jewish student organization Hillel, said Turner's message is supporting hate crime against anyone who's not heterosexual and white.
"It's horrible, and there's no place for it on campus, in Murfreesboro, Rutherford County or the state of Tennessee," said Nuell, an MTSU art professor.
In general, the university is an accepting community for Jews, but there are still some "on the fringe who hate," Nuell said. Nuell said there are relatively few Jewish students at MTSU, where more than 23,000 undergraduates attend classes.
The Hillel organization, which is open to the entire student body, recently shared a meal with Muslim students at the school. Nuell said Hillel supports building bridges with all groups and ethnicities in the community.
"But there's always someone trying to tear it down because they disagree with the notion that people should live in harmony," Nuell said.