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Thursday, July 15, 2021

URI President David Dooley Retires In Disgrace

Why is traitor Michael Flynn allowed to keep his honorary URI Doctorate?

By BETH COMERY, Providence Daily Dose

Outgoing URI President David Dooley has decided to allow convicted felon and treasonous QAnon supporter Michael Flynn to retain the honorary degree the university bestowed upon him in 2014 (ProJo 6.24.21) forever tarnishing the school’s reputation in the eyes of the world.

The seditious campaign of this retired army general and former national security advisor — including his nauseating invocation at a rally on January 5th of the men who died on the beaches of Normandy — led directly to the violent attack on the Capitol. 

Mr. Flynn had already been urging the use of the military to rerun the vote in crucial battleground states (NYT 2.6.21).

And Flynn has not stopped these un-American activities: At a rally on Memorial Day weekend Flynn was asked why a Myanmar-style coup wouldn’t work here (PolitiFact 6.3.21).

Flynn replied, “No reason. I mean, it should happen here. No reason. That’s right.”

What now for Dooley? According to The Independent RI:

Looking to his next year, Dooley said his plans are “to do nothing. I’m going to go hiking, get out and enjoy the countryside of Montana and Tucson, where we split our time. I’ll spend a lot more time with my wife and my kids, who both live in Montana … and do what I want to do, not looking at my phone for what’s next.”

Arizona and Montana . . . what a surprise. Go find your smile, friend. Or maybe a spine.

Flynn Family Values: In the latest wrinkle, Flynn relatives are now suing CNN for defamation, claiming that a certain notorious phrase used in a bizarre oath-taking video is just a family motto. (VICE News 7.7.21)

Indeed the exact wording used in the oath taken by the Flynns came from a message posted by QAnon’s anonymous leader several weeks earlier—a message that also encouraged followers to take the oath.

GoLocal wrote up the controversy in January, reminding us Flynn’s anti-democratic plans:

Nearly a month ago, Flynn said that disgraced ex-President Trump could deploy the military to “rerun” the 2020 election.

During an appearance on Newsmax’s “Greg Kelly Reports,” Flynn was asked about the actions the president could take to undo the results of the election. Flynn suggested that Trump could seize every voting machine in battleground states.

I very much support Major General (ret.) Paul Eaton of VoteVets.org who is calling for Michael Flynn to be recalled to active duty and court-martialed for his sedition.

Our oath to defend the Constitution doesn’t retire when you do.

Being a retired member of the armed forces is no excuse for threatening to overthrow our government or spreading lies about how President Biden stole the election. Especially when Flynn continues to use his title of “General” inappropriately to lend credence to his right-wing conspiracy theories.

Purple heart recipient and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth spoke out: “It is alarming that a retired military officer — who once swore an oath to defend our Constitution — has now called for the military to tear it to shreds.”

If our own Senator Jack Reed has made a statement on the URI controversy, I can not find it. In addition to being Chairman of the Armed Services committee, Reed is a West Point grad. Their motto? Duty, Honor, Country. 

How can Reed not take a stand on Flynn and this honorary degree from his own state’s university. (And while we are at it, why is Flynn’s brother Charles not in the brig?)

URI psychology professor Kathleen Gorman recently wrote in a letter to the ProJo:
What message does this send to our students? It tells them that as long as you are a powerful white male, your racism, your dishonesty and your disregard for the Constitution and the rule of law don’t matter.
(More profiles in courage: The URI board of Trustees has decided not to take a position.)

All Rhode Island residents and URI alumni should contact URI Foundation and Alumni Engagement and let them know how you feel about Michael Flynn’s “honor.” Tell them that you will be cutting the university out of your will.

URIFAE — 401.874.7900

Toll free number — 877.874.4555

They’ve got a fax — 401.874.5524