TN State Sen to stay on NY High School Hall of Fam

[Deleted]

Stacey Campfield’s photo to stay in N.Y. school’s Wall of Fame
Posted on June 27, 2012 by Chas Sisk
State Sen. Stacey Campfield’s photo will remain in the Vestal High School Wall of Fame school officials in the Binghamton, N.Y., suburb decided last night, despite another round of protests that appeared to be even more heated than the first.

According to the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, members of the Vestal Board of Education stood by their decision two weeks ago to leave up a portrait honoring Campfield, a 1986 Vestal graduate. The board played the O.J. Simpson card — arguing that if the NFL running back could remain in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, so should Campfield — and said the remarks Campfield made on the origin of HIV should be defended on free speech grounds.

“You may be surprised to know that we have heard from many, many people, including students, who understand and agree with our position,” [Board President Kim Myers] read from a statement at the meeting as some audience members booed. “Many who feel intimidated and fearful to publicly state their approval for fear of being labeled a bigot or anti-gay. When you attempt to shout down opposing voices, who is the bully?”

Campfield caused a stir in Tennessee back in January when he shared his view that HIV entered the human population through an interspecies sexual liaison. (The consensus view of researchers is that humans picked up HIV by butchering and eating infected primate meat.) A Vestal student picked up the controversy and called for Campfield’s removal from the Wall of Fame in an editorial in the school newspaper earlier this month.

Five people spoke in favor of Campfield’s removal at a school board meeting Tuesday night, arguing that he should not be held up as a role model. Organizers also claimed to have collected 1,200 signatures through an online petition.

[marie427]

The guy is a moron but I agree with the board's decision.

[basilosaurus]

It's a high school hall of fame. It honors famous, not infamous, graduates. Mary Carey won't ever get recognized at my high school. I can't get worked up about this guy, but if I went to that school I wouldn't want to brag about such a dumbass graduate