As if it weren’t bad enough for Texans to deal with the turmoil created by Hurricane Harvey, a university professor decided to blame the victims with a “kick ’em when they’re down” attitude. But in the end, he didn’t get away with his outrageous attitude.
On Sunday, August 27, as Hurricane Harvey was ravaging the Houston area of Texas, University of Tampa visiting professor Ken Storey tweeted this, according to Campus Reform:
“I don’t believe in instant Karma but this kinda feels like it for Texas, Hopefully this will help them realize the GOP doesn’t care about them.”
An Online Hurricane
Storey’s tweet was met with a Twitter storm of outrage and criticism. When confronted online, the professor doubled down on his delusions.
“Well, the good people there need to do more to stop the evil their state pushes. I’m only blaming those who support the GOP there,” he said in a follow-up tweet to one Twitter user.
That same commenter responded again, asking Storey if he thought anyone who supported President Trump in Florida, the location of his university, should receive a punishment like Harvey doled out. This is what Storey said in response:
“Yep, those who voted for him here deserve it as well.”
By Monday afternoon, Storey either had a change of heart, or more likely was feeling the heat from his university, and maybe woke up to realize the impact of his foolishness on his career.
“I deeply regret a statement I posted yesterday. I never meant to wish ill will upon any group. I hope all affected by Harvey recover quickly,” he said.
He never meant to wish ill on any group? He clearly did, based on what he tweeted just the day before.
Storey deleted his Twitter account soon after the post.
University of Tampa Steps In
As a result of the online chaos Storey caused, the University of Tampa fired him on Tuesday, August 29. Obviously his insincere “apology” came too late to save his job. According to Eric Cardenas, spokesman for the university, Storey lost his job when his employer had to deal with massive amounts of anger online.
The university responded to the criticism with the following statement:
“We condemn the comments and the sentiment behind them, and understand the pain this irresponsible act has caused. As Floridians, we are well aware of the destruction and suffering associated with tropical weather. Our thoughts and prayers are with all impacted by Hurricane Harvey.”
Will Storey learn his lesson and start acting more reasonable and humane toward people who have viewpoints that are different from his? Time will tell, but if he wants to be a wise educator, he will need to be more open-minded.
Biased Attitudes at Universities
Institutions of higher education in this country having bias against anyone who is not liberal is nothing new. But those attitudes have really kicked up a notch, especially since Trump was elected.
Those people are constantly looking for things to criticize and opportunities to blame people. Voters do have the right and freedom to vote for the candidate of their choice, and if they chose to vote for Trump, so be it.
One troubling aspect is how extremely biased and outspoken viewpoints of university professors are affecting the young impressionable minds of university students. Parents need to know that when their children attend institutions like that, they will be exposed to those attitudes and views.
A Time for Cooperation, Not Division
Hurricane Harvey has been absolutely devastating for Texas, and the cost of the massive storm is so large it’s incomprehensible. It’s truly a miracle that the loss of life wasn’t worse than it was. People in Texas need love and support at a time like this, not hostility and mean-spirited comments.
President Trump announced from the Oval Office on Friday that Sunday, September 3 would be a national day of prayer. He called on everyone to pray for Texans and all Americans.
It would be a good idea for people to pray for unity among all Americans and to pray that people will have a change of heart, put their differences aside, and come together in love and support for one another, especially when disasters strike.
~ Liberty Planet
