[HB]

Originally Posted by Balian

The University DID NOT confirm that his formal title was professor. They used vague/sugar-coated terms such as "regarded as" and "served as" to extend a courtesy to Obama. The university is not going to be politically stupid or deaf to embarrass a former employee running for the highest office in the land. His formal title is senior lecturer. Until you can prove otherwise, you are not getting anywhere with me.

I dont have to prove anything because you are not going to budge regardless. Hillary already tried this stunt and the University of Chicago issued a statement that Barack Obama was indeed a professor at their instituition. She never brought the topic up again after that.

[HB]

Here's the whole exchange

Sen. Obama consistently and falsely claims that he was a law professor. The Sun-Times reported that, "Several direct-mail pieces issued for Obama's primary [Senate] campaign said he was a law professor at the University of Chicago. He is not. He is a senior lecturer (now on leave) at the school. In academia, there is a vast difference between the two titles. Details matter." In academia, there's a significant difference: professors have tenure while lecturers do not. [Hotline Blog, 4/9/07; Chicago Sun

University's response

The Law School has received many media requests about Barack Obama, especially about his status as "Senior Lecturer." From 1992 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004, Barack Obama served as a professor in the Law School. He was a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996. He was a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004, during which time he taught three courses per year. Senior Lecturers are considered to be members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although not full-time or tenure-track. The title of Senior Lecturer is distinct from the title of Lecturer, which signifies adjunct status. Like Obama, each of the Law School's Senior Lecturers have high-demand careers in politics or public service, which prevent full-time teaching. Several times during his 12 years as a professor in the Law School, Obama was invited to join the faculty in a full-time tenure-track position, but he declined.

University Link

I dont know what else you want after all that

[Balian]

Originally Posted by HB

Here's the whole exchange



University's response



University Link

I dont know what else you want after all that

The Law School has received many media requests about Barack Obama, especially about his status as "Senior Lecturer." From 1992 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004, Barack Obama served as a professor in the Law School. He was a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996. He was a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004, during which time he taught three courses per year. Senior Lecturers are considered to be members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although not full-time or tenure-track. The title of Senior Lecturer is distinct from the title of Lecturer, which signifies adjunct status. Like Obama, each of the Law School's Senior Lecturers have high-demand careers in politics or public service, which prevent full-time teaching. Several times during his 12 years as a professor in the Law School, Obama was invited to join the faculty in a full-time tenure-track position, but he declined.

So his formal title was Senior Lecturer. Thanks for clearing it up.
1992-1996 Lecturer
1996-2004 Senior Lecturer

Once again, because of the huge media inquiries, the university did not want to embarrass Obama. Disregard "regarded as" and "served as" ....they are political terms in this case.

[HB]

So you are saying the University didnt want to embarass him was why they made up a cooky claim about him being a professor at their institution? Gotcha!

Do you happen to work for the board of the U of C if you dont mind me asking?

[Balian]

Originally Posted by HB

So you are saying the University didnt want to embarass him was why they made up a cooky claim about him being a professor at their institution? Gotcha!

Do you happen to work for the board of the U of C if you dont mind me asking?

1992-1996 Lecturer
1996-2004 Senior Lecturer

NOT

1992-1996 Professor of Constitutional Law
1996-2004 Professor of Constitutional Law with Tenure

From the University, not me. That's the thing about formal titles ...they have a way of sticking. The university could use all the vague and flowering words they want but in the end, they still have to state the facts:

He was a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996. He was a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004.

[Cinco de Mayo]

Originally Posted by Balian

The University DID NOT confirm that his formal title was professor. They used vague/sugar-coated terms such as "regarded as" and "served as"

I learned in college to not use passive verbs like "is" or "was."

But you're right -- Obama's a big ol' liar-liar-pants-on-fire.

[maxiep]

Originally Posted by HB

So you are saying the University didnt want to embarass him was why they made up a cooky claim about him being a professor at their institution? Gotcha!

Do you happen to work for the board of the U of C if you dont mind me asking?

Is anyone interested in the facts, or are we all interested in seeing how long this thread can get? If it's the former, I can answer the questions being raised. If anyone is interested, let me know.

[sa1177]

Originally Posted by maxiep

Is anyone interested in the facts, or are we all interested in seeing how long this thread can get? If it's the former, I can answer the questions being raised. If anyone is interested, let me know.

The facts appear to be clear. So I don't see a need. It's a argument of semantics which IMO is not something you can clear up.

Senior Lecturers are considered to be members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although not full-time or tenure-track.

[Balian]

Originally Posted by sa1177

The facts appear to be clear. So I don't see a need. It's a argument of semantics which IMO is not something you can clear up.

Yes, its an argument of semantics and thus the importance of FORMAL TITLES and not phrases like "regarded as"

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by Balian

Yes, its an argument of semantics and thus the importance of FORMAL TITLES and not phrases like "regarded as"

Well, I guess its time for us to give up. We've tried to fight it but we just couldnt beat you in this debate. The jig is up, and this is going to blow a hole in the Obama campaign. Theres no use struggling on now, its over. Whos going to vote for someone who lectured at U of C when he lies and said hes a professor? I mean sure, thats what they call him, but if you want to split hairs, its a bold faced lie and hes just trying to pull another Obama word trick to get into office. Not this time Barak! We've caught you red handed and we've had enough.

You know, next time my wife comes home and says "Wow, the kids I taught today were difficult." Ill slap her in the face and say "Taught? You're a substitute teacher, thats not the same as a real teacher, who do you think you're fooling here?"

[Balian]

Originally Posted by R-Star

Well, I guess its time for us to give up. We've tried to fight it but we just couldnt beat you in this debate. The jig is up, and this is going to blow a hole in the Obama campaign. Theres no use struggling on now, its over. Whos going to vote for someone who lectured at U of C when he lies and said hes a professor? I mean sure, thats what they call him, but if you want to split hairs, its a bold faced lie and hes just trying to pull another Obama word trick to get into office. Not this time Barak! We've caught you red handed and we've had enough.

You know, next time my wife comes home and says "Wow, the kids I taught today were difficult." Ill slap her in the face and say "Taught? You're a substitute teacher, thats not the same as a real teacher, who do you think you're fooling here?"

Funny, I was arguing one minor point. I've never commented on anything else. Nice straw man.

Your wife's formal title is substitute teacher. If you don't believe me, ask the school district or look at her pay stubs. It's okay for you to regard her as a teacher. See the difference?

[Dornado]

Originally Posted by R-Star

Well, I guess its time for us to give up. We've tried to fight it but we just couldnt beat you in this debate. The jig is up, and this is going to blow a hole in the Obama campaign. Theres no use struggling on now, its over. Whos going to vote for someone who lectured at U of C when he lies and said hes a professor? I mean sure, thats what they call him, but if you want to split hairs, its a bold faced lie and hes just trying to pull another Obama word trick to get into office. Not this time Barak! We've caught you red handed and we've had enough.

You know, next time my wife comes home and says "Wow, the kids I taught today were difficult." Ill slap her in the face and say "Taught? You're a substitute teacher, thats not the same as a real teacher, who do you think you're fooling here?"

+1 (You must spread some rep around...)