'The Auburn Screed' according to Roberts

Happy 26th Anniversary to The Alabama Gazette! Time to reflect back over a quarter century to herald this brave paper standing strong on the First Amendment; it prints submissions of big government conservatives and modern liberals as well as observations and perspectives of small government conservative/classical liberals like me these past 16 years.

Those who regularly consume news from our local East Central Alabama ’Pravda on the Plains’ publications recently witnessed a social media statement from President, Christopher Roberts asserting Auburn University termination of some employees for posts “antithetical to values we hold dear in the Auburn Creed.” Ironically, the Auburn Creed specifically contains the following two statements of value which are at odds with President Roberts’ conduct:

“I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.”

“I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom…”

Little surprise one of AU President Christopher Roberts intellect and integrity would make this absurdly hypocritical reference to the Auburn Creed when announcing he’s going to violate 42 US Code Section 1983 and the First Amendment rights and freedoms of other citizens. In Fall of 2022 at the Opelika federal courthouse, “Stern v. Roberts, et al” went to trial where a federal jury unanimously found Economics Professor Stern’s First Amendment rights violated with malice by AU administrator Aistrup, then College of Liberal Arts Dean. The “Roberts” in the case name is none other than current AU President Chris Roberts.

Summer of 2023, President Roberts was placed under a federal injunction because he refused to voluntarily correct malicious retaliations carried out against Professor Stern because of his constitutionally protected speech about the distortion of curricular decisions by athletic interests AU using taxpayer dollars. One could thus conclude President Roberts has no respect for the freedom articulated in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Likewise, President Roberts does not appear to believe in “protecting the rights of all” when the “all” includes people who expose AU corruption or speak in ways that he doesn’t like.

Consistent with past and recent conduct, President Roberts is currently a defendant (individual capacity) for violation of Professor Joseph Majdalani’s First Amendment rights. Professor Majdalani is among the most distinguished aerospace engineers to ever work at AU. President Roberts has twice run to the eleventh circuit federal court of appeals begging for immunity from the consequences of his conduct towards Professor Majdalani. President Roberts appears to fear accountability for his own disturbing conduct “antithetical to values we hold dear in the Auburn Creed.” Rather, one might argue his values are more aligned with an ethos known as the “Auburn Greed” penned in a prior column. [https://www.alabamagazette.com/story/2018/03/01/opinion/the-auburn-greed/1301.html]

Some forecast Robert’s civil right lawsuit filed by Majdalani will be more successful curbing 'Auburn Greed' as it is much less complex than the Stern case. In fact malicious administrators disciplined in the federal courts are still employed - i.e., not publicly fired for wrongdoings as the recent Roberts Kabuki Theatre show shrieked. Those aware what this still employed harasser (and now a public servant advancing more corruption on Auburn Planning Board) has done to Professors Privett-Duren, Stern and others are not surprised by serial malefactors undisciplined by our governor, BoT, recent presidents, legal counsel, upper administrators, etc. at AU. The civil right lawsuit against Dean Roberts, now as president (further blatantly displaying how corrupt things are at AU) is the longest a waiting a trial date of the cases I’ve addressed illustrating how deep the corruption and outside influence has become to attack sound scholarship and academic freedom/integrity of our most productive, honest scholars and faculty.

Given recent developments, I’d like to resubmit Prof. Privett-Duren’s perspective/thoughts on the verdict exposing this malicious AU Dean in federal court. Honoured this courageous victim provided the following quote which still applies today:

"At long last, some justice has been won in the case of Michael Stern's battle against the corrupt underbelly of a university that I once held in high esteem. For some of us, that justice was not soon enough, nor comprehensive enough, to make a difference. The loss of career, retirement, reputation, and a long-held conviction and faith in AU's mission statement was irreparable. And, as is often the case with unprincipled systems of governance, we still appeal for the return of fair, honorable, and holistic policies that protect and support the instructors and professors whose lives are/were dedicated to teaching. The world is changing and no longer hides the prejudices and systemic ideologies of "good ol' boys" within the skirts of bureaucrats and administrators-- nor should it have ever done so. The emperor, indeed, has no clothes. The longer we affect that illusion, the deeper the fracture grows between what our university could have been and what it has become. As part of my agreement within my settlement against Auburn University, I cannot speak to what I have suffered, nor experienced, at the termination of my fourteen years within those beloved walls. I can say that I loved teaching, and that I was once loved by my students, and that my heart will always be just a little broken by the loss of it all.

And so, I stand with Michael Stern, and am ever grateful that he had the fortitude to fight the battle that I could not. May we one day see Auburn University brought back around to the noble core that built its foundations. And until then, to everyone still struggling to stand under the weight of an administration that no longer considers its bearings: may the odds be ever in your favor." - Dr. Katharyn M. Privett-Duren

Difficult to 'firewall' such over-powering corruption within this university in our once lovely, small college town... now overgrown with so many political parasites and government subsidized, unsustainable expansion destroying our once wonderful quality of life. Marguerite Middlemas [4/7/22 Villager] report on Auburn City Council board appointments explained installing Dean Aistrup to fill Mack Lazenby's unexpired term on the Planning Commission over five other applicants some thought may be of better character and Spirit than one with this (now jury determined malicious) repute. Public servant, Mayor Ron Anders emphasized the impressiveness of the applicants and the importance of the Planning Commission. Anders was quoted with, "We had three outstanding interviews and I appreciate everyone seeking this position," and also said, "Planning is so important to our community and there's so much going on and you really have to dig in and want to be a part of it." Planning in Lee County has been another hub of 'dug in' corruption and cronyism created for the Auburn Mafia, many embracing Felon Hubbard's return from prison. To install Dean Aistrup speaks volumes of what Anders, et al on the Council really want over other applicants as AU corruption permeates into Lee County.

The most indelible comment I witnessed from this malicious Dean awaiting an Econ Department meeting, "May the Wings of Corruption Carry You Far." In retrospect, I can say Aistrup's wings have indeed carried him far… from continued employment after AU paying settlements and verdicts for his malice to being installed among the Auburn City politburo to further spread corruption and malice as a public servant outside his academic sphere of influence. This malicious Dean clearly belongs with our most antithetical to the letter and Spirit of The Auburn Creed.

In closing, I'm the person who directs much effort getting things in court to solidify the corrupt from the righteous, knowing evil usually prevails in our State and my county. The Auburn Mafia Family does well at paying failed coaches, corrupt administrators, faculty who allow our student athletes to be raped and clustered into sham degrees. A new head coach is reportedly installed to a five 5 year contract without a search and I hear no one questioning as expected under such a corrupt, toxic workplace. Time for the Auburn righteous to make a stand and take care of their own... voters are going to keep (re)installing the Bentley, Ivey, Tubberville et al types who care more of prostituting wealth transfers than our education, safety and quality of life. A few months ago the Gazette courageously printed this column on how this cancer continues to metastasize: https://www.alabamagazette.com/story/2024/05/01/opinion/prof-roberts-theres-a-cancer-on-the-presidency/3257.html as faculty members who spoke out against Biden/Ivey authoritarianism w.r.t. Covid are a similar travesty upon returning to Trump sycophantism.

Postscript: some readers noted President Trump’s recent fee increase for certain visas created under the Bush abomination [https://www.alabamagazette.com/story/2018/02/01/opinion/toward-a-more-rational-constitutional-immigration-policy/1275.html] suggesting I may have some influence on what gets considered by our politburo. If I indeed introduced something our over-degreed, poorly educated suffering Biden/Trump derangement hadn’t considered, it is yet another source of despair as what I put forth as a Constitutionally compliant improvement was morphed into another tool for leviathanists.

The Auburn Creed

I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.

I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.

I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.

I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.

I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.

I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.

I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."

And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.

-George Petrie (1943)

Bill of Rights – First Amendment

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

THE VIEWS OF SUBMITTED EDITORIALS MAY NOT BE THE EXPRESS VIEWS OF THE ALABAMA GAZETTE.