The story about criticism of Professor Jonathan Bean by his department colleagues for his use of James Lubinskas's article,"Remembering the Zebra Killings," from Horowitz's Front Page Rag is now drawing national attention. There is Scott Jaschik's"'Handout Hysteria' or Insensitivity" at Inside Higher Ed and Cathy Young's"A Left-wing Witch-hunt on Campus," Boston Globe, 2 May. In the meantime, Bean's critics have launched a counter-offensive in comments here at Cliopatria and Inside Higher Ed. Professor Marji Morgan, chairperson of SIU's history department, published a letter to the editor,"Academic Freedom and Academic Responsibility," Daily Egyptian, 28 April. Bean's critics have also released evidence of their claims against Bean in Moustafa Ayad,"History Faculty Release Evidence of Professor's Transgressions," Daily Egyptian, 2 May. Despite some signs that both camps want to de-escalate the situation, the department's public criticism of Bean and its release of Bean's private e-mail to his graduate assistants in the student newspaper is not likely to de-escalate anything.

Unfortunately, there have been inflammatory reports and graphics, such as this, which trace to David Horowitz's intervention in the case. They have sent some extra-ordinarily viscious e-mail to Bean's colleagues at SIU. If you write or call SIU, be civil!