Koch Brothers buy professors at Florida State University
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The Koch brothers own the Tea Party; they own a lot of right-wing think tanks that have steered the nation toward a radical Ayn Rand vision of the world; and now they are buying up professors and dictating extreme right-wing ideology.
Koch Foundation reached an agreement in 2008 to fund professors at Florida State University, as long as they would teach right-wing economic theory. In fact, the Koch Foundation had to approve any faculty hires who were paid with its “donated” funds.
The Saint Petersburg Times reports:
A foundation bankrolled by Libertarian businessman Charles G. Koch has pledged $1.5 million for positions in Florida State University’s economics department. In return, his representatives get to screen and sign off on any hires for a new program promoting “political economy and free enterprise.”…
Under the agreement with the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, however, faculty only retain the illusion of control. The contract specifies that an advisory committee appointed by Koch decides which candidates should be considered. The foundation can also withdraw its funding if it’s not happy with the faculty’s choice or if the hires don’t meet “objectives” set by Koch during annual evaluations.
Koch wasted little time in asserting his influence. In 2009, he denied 60 percent of the faculty’s suggestions to fill the positions in the new programs, called the Study of Political Economy and Free Enterprise (SPEFE) and Excellence in Economics Education (EEE). The hires that were made were agreed upon by Koch and the department’s faculty.
According to a memorandum about the agreement, obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat, the ability to pick and choose faculty members was hardly the only string attached. In addition, Koch wanted the ability to review work done by the economics faculty.
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That’s right, Koch brothers, you can’t buy America. George Soros already owns it.
Why don’t they just start their own university like Jerry Falwell did?
Oh shit. I just gave these two assholes a good idea, didn’t I. Sorry Holte.
Can’t buy America??? Much more of this insanity and they’ll get it at a knock down price…
Why are so called academics getting involved in this shit? Madness.
Further evidence that the line between “public” and “for profit” is much murkier than traditional academics would have you believe. Academic freedom and integrity should come before all else.
As with all professions, sad to say, there are academics willing to sell their souls for 30 pieces of silver, and the Koch brothers know it.