PAN, (9/7/2008 4:12:35 AM)

According to the wife - 'Azfar Hussain is a prolific leftist writer and lecturer who has spoken out against U.S. government policies.' If this is true, WHY would he have been hired to teach at OSU in the first place? This is just not very bright. I understand that we need to know the views of others in the world, but do we take chances and hire people who have spoken out against U.S. government policies at THIS time in the history of the country and world? When did the country decide to play games with our security and safety?

Democrat, (9/7/2008 7:25:53 AM)

PAN:

Read the First Amendment to the Constitution and also research the case of John Peter Zenger. The perpetuation of our liberties depend upon our willingness to listen to contrary viewpoints. If this man's views are in error, I trust that his opponents will have the facts to defeat him in a fair debate.

a:

excellent comment. I join with you in opposing the march towards the tyranny of "group-think."

Isaac Parker, Tulsa (9/7/2008 7:38:33 AM)

Azfar Hussain is a prolific leftist writer and lecturer who has spoken out against U.S. government policies. His wife said she thought that is part of the reason his visa has not yet been approved.
---------------------------
If the above is true, I hope his visa is held up forver. Shame on OSU for even considering this guy. Our universities are full of looney, leftist, anarchist professors influencing our kids, of which "a" is a good example.

tulsaGuy, (9/7/2008 8:12:11 AM)

Dr. Carol Moder, are you sure his credentials are all that rare? If the subject matter is so esoteric, are you sure your department should necessarily be spending so much energy on this matter? I venture to say you have a person in your very department that could teach the same subjects to the ten or twenty students that MAY be interested in that particular subject. In addition, there are many other subjects, just as academic, just as controversial, just as exciting, just as non or pro-conformist as Mr. Hussain's subject specialty. As you know, it's a big world in literature.

tulsaGuy, (9/7/2008 8:22:45 AM)

Check out Azfar Hussain's ratings on RateMyProfessors on the web . If it's the same guy (English professor, leftist), he previously taught at Washington State. The students have various opinions of him... some good, some not so good.

tulsaGuy, (9/7/2008 9:09:46 AM)

Dear righton, In all fairness, universities generally do not prefer their own graduates be hired as professors. This is to prevent intellectual "inbreeding". But, yes, a professor that presents opposing viewpoints is good. Unfair promotion of personal bias to impressionable 18 through 21 year olds... not a good thing. Remember, Dr. Moder, hiring of a controversialist does not necessarily mean promotion of open-mindedness.

Graychin, Eucha (9/7/2008 9:28:29 AM)

a, (9/7/2008 7:15:09 AM) said: "Hey, I'm a leftist who has spoken out against U.S. government policies, too!!"

And so am I. Great comment, "a"

He has "Hussain" in his name. That's probably the hangup. You know how some of us are about people with "Hussain" in their names.

tulsaGuy, (9/7/2008 9:59:32 AM)

Graychin, Don't you think our government would be remiss if it failed to check out somebody with the name Bin Laden? No, it's not a case of unfair discrimination to pay attention to these names. Just due diligence. You would do the same in your personal life, bub.

So, don't fly the flag of how unfair our government is to check these people out. Amazing how, again, our government turns out to be the great bad force in the world when it is just taking care of itself.

Graychin, you are one of the fortunate 1% to live here in the U.S. Gratitude may be in order.

diamond jim, (9/7/2008 10:36:05 AM)

at least his name is not BUSH.the name hussain didn't start a war.try bin laden

Bart78, (9/7/2008 11:03:14 AM)

"Credentials are impressive and rare" according to Carol Moder -- it is to laugh, US-born leftists with an axe to grind and Bush Derangement Syndrome abound, hire one of them instead. The students will be properly "instructed" in post-modern, post-colonial, non-Western "literature" and they might actually be able to understand the professor. Sounds good all around...

tulsaGuy, (9/7/2008 6:58:31 PM)

Diamond Jim, Ummm.... Saddam HUSSEIN started a war (noncompliance to UN edicts) and your friend Osama Bin Laden started the war... In addition, global terrorism was unchecked... Bush did NOT start the war. Move to Venezuela... you'll like their rational politics.

peaceful1, (9/7/2008 9:08:25 PM)

I can't believe you people. Why are you throwing around such strong language about a person you know nothing about except his name and a vague "leftist politics" reference? You are calling him a terrorist and hoping that he never gets to come to live with his family just because he has some different views of government than you personally hold. Who are you to think you have all the "right" views and he is necessarily "wrong" and therefore a terrorist? Many people born and raised in the US also have leftist politics, also are critical of the current administration, and also hope for change for the better in politics around the world, not just in the US. Are they also, am I also, a terrorist?? This is an illogical argument. I know Azfar Hussain well and personally. He is a peaceful, peace-loving man and is hurt by such accusations. Persecution of this great man is uncalled for. He deserves the respect due a fellow human who has worked long and hard to become one of the foremost scholars in his field.

Cov, Okmulgee (9/8/2008 11:03:29 AM)

peaceful1....maybe because the one he loves and is intimate with, his wife, has shared that he hates American policy. Strong language against a country that gives this planet its biggest base for freedom would draw attention. He is getting his respect.....they are checking him out. He is not jailed and is welcome to stay where he is until the background is done. If he realy is peaceful and not trying to teach another leftist policy on a State campus then great.

tulsaGuy, (9/8/2008 1:57:21 PM)

Dear fellow Oklahoma Citizens, please read the comments from students regarding this professor on RateMyProfessors . com .
If these comments concern you, please contact the OSU Provost, Dr. Marlene Strathe at
Marlene.Strathe at okstate dot edu.