Letter to Chicago Daily Herald

November 16, 2002

Professor overstepped his bounds with letter 

I recently read an article related to Professor Peter N. Kirstein's letter to an Air Force Academy cadet written on Oct. 31. Kirstein is a tenured history professor at St. Xavier University in Chicago who was responding to the cadet's request for Kirstein's expertise and assistance for an upcoming, nationwide political science symposium. Kirstein responded to the cadet, "You are a disgrace to this country and I am furious you would even think I would support you and your aggressive baby killing tactics..." 

As a graduate of the Air Force Academy who has proudly served this great country, I am very familiar with the military and the quality of people who support and defend the Constitution. Anyone who has been affiliated with the military, and especially the Air Force Academy, knows that cadets (and their officer and NCO mentors) are not "baby killers" as Kirstein asserts. The men and women who attend the academy and eventually serve our country are well-versed in the study and application of ethics and morality to decision making and, in many ways, serve as a beacon for other members of society to look to. Kirstein could learn much from their lesson. Kirstein's attack is a striking contrast to the statement on his university Web page, where he indicates that "academic freedom isn't free" and where he also lists several points on his vision of "openness" and "seeking truth" in the classroom. It is rather amazing that he has trouble distinguishing the fact that the military is at the epicenter of providing the professor his freedom to state this. 

As the academy so eloquently articulated in its response back to Kirstein: "It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag who allows the protester to burn the flag" - Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. 

Even more troubling is that Kirstein is a tenured history professor, who is shaping the perceptions, attitudes and intellect of future historians and graduates of St. Xavier. The fact that Kirstein is the highest-ranking academician in the department also begs the question as to the quality of St. Xavier's selection, promotion and tenure process. 

I encourage Richard Yanikoski, president of St. Xavier, to take swift and strong disciplinary action against Kirstein on two counts: 1) his lack of judgment and egregious action, and 2) his lack of due diligence to the professional standards in his position as professor. Simply stated, Professor Peter N. Kirstein has dishonored himself and Saint Xavier University. 

On this recent remembrance of our nation's veterans, I hope others also will contact Yanikoski and encourage him to take disciplinary action against Kirstein. 

Mike Thirtle 
Round Lake