Skidmore students, and administration, wrong in treatment of professor

In Chris Churchill’s column "Professor won't be punished for curiosity," Sept. 22, he related how Skidmore College Professor David Peterson was the victim of a smear campaign by activist students at the college. According to the column, Peterson and his wife were seen and photographed at a pro-police rally and, as a result, decided that this offended their biased sensibilities and demanded his dismissal. Reportedly, the Petersons did nothing but watch for a short time.

The timid and scared administration seems to have quickly bowed to this attack and launched an investigation. Where does this ilk get its ideology? It sounds like something the Chinese government would do.

I believe college should be a place where people learn not only facts but how to think analytically and respect others’ opinions. I wonder what has gone so wrong at Skidmore? Have these students, and the administration, ever read the U.S. Constitution? The Constitution aside, it seems to me that this mob of entitled activists engaged in malicious bullying behavior and should be ashamed. How many of them ever went in harm’s way to protect another? Not many, if any, I would guess.

Ralph J. Rahm Slingerlands Retired, New York State Senior Parole Officer