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What would our Founding Father's do with Accreditting Liberty University School of Law

By Steve Lombardi

On this day, the 4th of July, it is appropriate that I discuss those from whose teachings sprout the green shoots of home-grown terrorism in America.

Terrorism is defined as: S: (n) terrorism, act of terrorism, terrorist act (the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear).

One could argue that Ann Coulter's choice of words could classify her as a terrorist. I'm not sure I'd go that far but others might have more time to analyze her speeches and adding them all up she might be classified as one who instills fear of violence to attain political or religious goals. Watch and listen to her and see if you agree or disagree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woHB8qCDVv4

In June 2009 I asked the question whether the Law of School at Liberty University would condemn the murder of the abortion doctor from Kansas. I heard not a peep although a law student did take me up on an assignment covering the following points:

1. Why Dean Staver at Liberty School of Law should publicly condemn the murder of Dr. George Tiller.

2. In the essay cover why it is important that law students condemn murder of even abortion doctors, in order to effectively take the lawyers oath or affirmation at the swearing in ceremony.

3. Also cover whether those who can not support the US Constitution and federal law, in opposition to Roe v. Wade, can not effectively and honestly swear to the Iowa Supreme Court they take the lawyers oath and affirmation to become a lawyer.

4. Cover whether the ABA should or can accredit a law school that teaches students not to support the enforcement of federal law and the United States Constitution.

5. Lastly, tell me what you're learning at Liberty School of Law concerning whether lawyers must follow the U.S. Supreme Court rulings, the US Constitution and federal and state laws.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a6AjeCAP-k

I've covered this subject in other posts.

Dean of Law at Liberty University: Are you planning on condemning the murder of Dr. Tiller? June 2, 2009.

That post followed Liberty University's actions against the student Democrats over ideas students would hear from outside speakers with a message that ran counter to Liberty's fund raising efforts from alumni and financial supporters. Speakers who advocated for tolerance towards gays, gay marriage and the right of a woman to choose control over her pregnancy would not be well received by alumni who hate all of the above.

Student Democrats at Liberty U. are okay; so long As they think like a Republican. May 29, 2009.

I don't care what they teach at Liberty University, but I do care if they are teaching violent means to achieve a political end. I do care if law students are taking an oath to support the Constitution and lying. That I do care about. I wasn't shocked by the leader at Liberty not publicly condemning the murder. After all he's got to raise money from supporters that might agree with Doctor Tiller's murderer. But it occurred to me that the dean of a law school asking the ABA to accredit their program ought to at least give the impression of wanting to condemn lawlessness. Even a watered down condemnation would be better than saying nothing.

Who knows maybe I missed it. If I missed the University's condemnation I'd be appreciative to any of the thousands of students at Liberty who can point me in the right direction.

This subject interests me because I've had several Liberty students inquire about working for my law firm. But I find myself at odds with how to hire a law student or lawyer whose personal values would be put ahead of the client's interests. How other law firms are resolving this conflict is beyond me. Maybe they are just not asking the tough questions.

I've never sat in on a Con-Law class or read the curriculum at Liberty Law School, but knowing how the University approaches the subjects of abortion and same-sex marriage it's not difficult to anticipate how the law school's curriculum in the Con Law classes might have a problem with the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. Of course a curriculum doesn't really state all that will be taught in the classroom so reading it would not be very enlightening. I'd like to sit in at a Liberty Law School Con-Law class that discusses the Roe v. Wade decision, but it's doubtful that invitation will ever be in the mail.

So I'm left wondering what exactly they are teaching law students. What would Doctor King teach? Would he teach tolerance of intolerance?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZLvSnr6s50

When examining what other anti-abortionist's are teaching we see a mix of ideas. There are the groups that condemn this murderous act and then privately toast Dr. Tiller's death. There are those saying nothing publicly knowing that without a public condemnation of the murder of Dr. Tiller it appears as though there is at least tacit approval of using illegal and violent means to achieve an end to abortion. The gentleman in the YouTube clip seems to support that conclusion. Fear of violence seems to be a tool of choice to stop abortions and perhaps in their minds more effective than is legal argument.

Some of those against abortion do condemn the act of murder. Other's used the situation to gather steam for careers that have been built on spewing hatred. Their tool of choice is hate-filled speech that clearly panders to those with mental health problems and who would likely act against people like the late Doctor Tiller.

Here is a video that exposes the private discussions of anti-abortionists. Start watching at 2:58 in the video and listen to the description of a published Christian Manifesto approving the use of violence to stop abortionists, to foster fear of violence against those who disagree and to create a climate that ends with changing the laws concerning abortion. The book advocates for the use of fear to get what domestic groups want. How far removed are these people from the same ideas that fueled the 9-11 terrorists? How far removed are they from the hate of Nazi Germany?

Are these Commentators Practicing Hate Speech Meant to Incite Criminal Behavior to Foster Fear - You be the judge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSMmmrjAf_0

So on this 4th of July let's get back to American liberty and to what is being taught at the Liberty University School of Law. What are they teaching law students about how to take that lawyer's oath?

I ask myself what next? I have to wonder.

How can law school graduates that are not willing to publicly condemn outright lawlessness that ends with murder, not be lying when taking the lawyer's oath saying they will support the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, state laws and the court system? I do recognize that disagreeing with a law or the interpretation of a law doesn't make the thinker a subversive. But, I can not advocate for being intellectually dishonest with the court system to achieve a political end. Condoning murder to advance one's ideas is as wrong as was Hitler's way of advancing his own political ends. How do Liberty law school graduates square in their minds the taking of the legal oath to follow federal law when that law has created Roe vs. Wade? What are they being taught about the acceptable methods to advance anti-abortion laws?

Did I miss a condemnation of murder on the Liberty site? If I missed it by all means post a comment.

The ABA has to ask itself whether taking the lawyers' oath has any meaning or not.

The general public has to ask whether the far right is as dangerous to America as is the far left.

Happy 4^th of July.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92AE5mEfg0A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klQtI_rVeTM

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on July 04, 2009 (boomark / email).