Last Wednesday, University of Colorado Head Football coach committed a sin against liberal elite sensibilities: he called a spade a spade. In a press conference dealing with the statements of former CU football player Katherine Hnida, Barnett said among other things, "It was obvious Katie was not very good," Barnett said. "She was awful. You know what guys do? They respect your ability. You can be 90 years old, but if you can go out and play, they'll respect you. Katie was not only a girl, she was terrible. OK? There's no other way to say it."
These "disturbing" remarks "showed a lack of understanding of the seriousness of the allegations..." said CU President Elizabeth Hoffman. As a result, she suspended him (with pay) from his position and an interim replacement has been named. But what happens when Ms. Hoffman makes disturbing remarks of her own showing a lack of understanding of the seriousness of the allegations against Barnett? She gets away with, "I misspoke."
What did Hoffman say? " . . . He went on for two or three, four, I don't know how many minutes expounding on what a horrible player she was, essentially demeaning her before the world and saying because she's a bad player it was OK for the guys to rape her," Hoffman told NBC.
In a later attempt to explain her careless remarks, Hoffman said, "I was referring to the public's perception and the interpretation of his remarks." She added, "I do not believe coach Barnett feels that her performance would ever justify sexual assault of any kind, nor do I think his comments should be interpreted that way." But that's exactly how she interpreted them in justifying his suspension. Hoffman has exhibited reckless and inconsistent leadership during this episode and should be placed on Administrative Leave.
But there's more to this story than the unprincipled leadership of CU's President. There's also the personal political and ideological vendetta of Boulder's freshman District Attorney, Mary Keenan.
Denver attorney Dan Caplis, a legal analyst and KOA-AM radio talk show host, doesn't mince words about Keenan.
"She didn't bring the rape charge because she didn't have the evidence," Caplis said. "So she's willing to charge these guys publicly with a crime that she couldn't prosecute. That's an outrageous abuse of her office."
While making no judgement on the merits of the rape charges which must undergo legal due process, Betsy Hoffman's rash administrative action justifies identical measures against both herself and Boulder D.A. Keenan.
Sounds like a vast left wing conspiracy.
Coach Barnett was in a hole, the interviewer gave him a shovel, and he started digging.
Posted by: Silence Dogood at February 23, 2004 11:04 AMWhat about equal treatment for Hoffman?
P.S. I hear that Barnett doesn't expect his "suspension" to last much longer.
Posted by: johngalt at February 23, 2004 04:22 PM