Michigan State University professor bites airport security officer; student supports prof

From the State News:

MSU associate professor fights government power

Every day, our government increases its power and control over our lives. The Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act and wiretapping are but a few of the many onslaughts against personal liberty brought on by an increasingly bold and absolutist government.

So when I heard someone (MSU Associate Professor John D. McCallie) stood up to a uniformed imperial storm trooper, my first reaction was not to scorn him for not submitting, but to applaud him for standing up for his dignity. If more people did so, instead of acting like slaves, the government might not be able to act so tyrannically.

I don't know the details, but it is foolish to believe that people should bow down to an oppressor because they wear a uniform of state, as The State News appears to feel. I suppose they also look down on the Jews in the Warsaw ghetto who shot uniformed agents of the law when they came to kill them.

Last year's stories condemning Michigan's passages of a measure that would decriminalize shooting an assailant without first running away betrayed The State News' belief that individuals have no business defending themselves from a criminal, especially with a gun.

Now we know that The State News also thinks it's wrong for people to use their teeth when the airport Nazis (it seems like the right term judging by how they dress and act) come to arrest them for littering.

David Garlock
music senior


From the State News:

Professor arrested for biting officer

MSU women's basketball head coach Joanne P. McCallie witnessed a whole new defense tactic when she saw her husband bite the finger of a Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport police officer Wednesday.

John D. McCallie, an associate MSU economics professor and husband of Joanne P. McCallie, became hostile after his bag was lost at the Florida airport, said Bob Mattingly, the vice president of operations and maintenance at the airport.

McCallie was arrested on charges of resisting arrest with violence and battery on a law enforcement official.

"It's like the guy kind of flipped out," Mattingly said. "He got belligerent, and the trash container — he started swinging it in the air. It was at that time that he was placed under arrest."

The McCallies had flown to Florida for an annual vacation to unwind between the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament, university spokesman Terry Denbow said.

When the couple arrived at the airport, they realized they were missing one of three bags. When the McCallies spoke with airport officials about finding the bag, they were told they would need the baggage claim tickets that were attached to their other two bags before the flight.

The McCallies had thrown the tickets away upon receiving the bags — a common move made by travelers, Mattingly said.

Upon hearing he would need the tickets to verify which bag was missing, McCallie started going through the trash bin to search for the tickets.

"He apparently then dumped some trash on the floor and couldn't find it and dumped another out, and at that time, people were taking note," Mattingly said.

During the trash mulling, a police officer approached McCallie. A scuffle ensued as McCallie became more hostile and bit the police officer on the finger. It took more than one officer to subdue him, Mattingly said.

McCallie was released on a $2,700 bond and is expected to continue his work at MSU today, Denbow said.

In a statement made Sunday by Joanne P. McCallie, she thanked those who have offered their support and warm wishes during this time.

"First, I want to thank all members of the immediate Spartan family and many others for their support and understanding over the past few days," McCallie said in the statement. "The McCallie family is very grateful and, based upon our years as Spartans, certainly not surprised."

Denbow spoke with Joanne P. McCallie on Friday, who told him all sides of the incident have not been revealed.

"She said, 'Remember there's two sides to every story, and only one side of this story has been out,'" Denbow said.

The McCallies couldn't be reached by The State News but have retained an attorney, Denbow said.

"We have to be concerned on the eve of the NCAA tournaments. The focus has to be on the team and the players," Denbow said.

"The players deserve it, so she will not be talking about this because she believes in her heart and soul that the team comes first at this time."