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Eugene

(61,900 posts) Tue Apr 26, 2016, 02:16 PM Apr 2016

Ex-professor who called Sandy Hook shooting a hoax sues over firing

Source: Reuters

World | Tue Apr 26, 2016 1:45pm EDT

Ex-professor who called Sandy Hook shooting a hoax sues over firing

TAMPA, FLA. | BY LETITIA STEIN

A former Florida college professor who was fired after he suggested the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre was a hoax has sued the school for violation of his right to free speech, his attorney said on Tuesday.

James Tracy was dismissed in January by Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, where he had taught since 2002. His website, MemoryHoleBlog.com, gained notice in 2013 after he claimed the December 2012 massacre by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, was staged. The attack killed 26 people, including 20 children.

The civil lawsuit, filed in federal court on Monday, claims that the firing violated his rights, including free speech protections under the U.S. Constitution. Tracy seeks to be reinstated and compensated for economic and other damages, according to a copy of the lawsuit provided by his attorney.

"Tenure, free speech, due process and academic freedom are under attack," his attorney Louis Leo IV said in a news release.

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10 replies

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Highlight:

Ex-professor who called Sandy Hook shooting a hoax sues over firing (Original Post) Eugene Apr 2016 OP

Would be cool to see the results of this. northernsouthern Apr 2016 #1

He is a certifiable nut case! CaliforniaPeggy Apr 2016 #2

Nobody said Tracy couldn't spout his craziness gratuitous Apr 2016 #3

How the fugg is that free speech malaise Apr 2016 #4

Dear Mr. Idiot, Freedom of Speech does not guarantee you freedom from fiscal ScreamingMeemie Apr 2016 #5

Apparently, He Thinks The Federal Government Runs That School ProfessorGAC Apr 2016 #8

If this goes to trail - I hope it's broadcasted packman Apr 2016 #6

More backstory Orrex Apr 2016 #7

Florida Man takes many forms... VOX Apr 2016 #9

He's compounding his stupidity. lpbk2713 Apr 2016 #10

northernsouthern

(1,511 posts)

1. Would be cool to see the results of this.

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Tue Apr 26, 2016, 02:19 PM

Apr 2016

It is like holocaust deniers, they can say it all they like, but what are the steps others can take about it? Seem like schools have fired people for far less and actual legit things.

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,637 posts)

2. He is a certifiable nut case!

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Tue Apr 26, 2016, 02:20 PM

Apr 2016

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)

3. Nobody said Tracy couldn't spout his craziness

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Tue Apr 26, 2016, 02:23 PM

Apr 2016

In fact, he can continue to say any stupid thing he wants to say about the massacre at Sandy Hook. Florida Atlantic University is under no obligation to continue to keep him on the faculty when he's popping off in such a hurtful and ignorant manner.

But if Tracy's got $400 for the filing fee and an attorney who's willing to waste his time tilting at this windmill, well . . .

malaise

(269,054 posts)

4. How the fugg is that free speech

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Tue Apr 26, 2016, 02:27 PM

Apr 2016

fugging lunatic

ScreamingMeemie

(68,918 posts)

5. Dear Mr. Idiot, Freedom of Speech does not guarantee you freedom from fiscal

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Tue Apr 26, 2016, 02:29 PM

Apr 2016

consequences. You weren't arrested. You were fired.

ProfessorGAC

(65,076 posts)

8. Apparently, He Thinks The Federal Government Runs That School

Reply to ScreamingMeemie (Reply #5)

Tue Apr 26, 2016, 03:09 PM

Apr 2016

Otherwise, this has zero to do with freedom of speech. That amendment says the government can do nothing to abrogate the freedom.

A private employer is free to put any restrictions on it that they please.