Leach is wsu

Regarding “Leach removes doctored conspiracy film of Obama,” (June 19, 2018):

If Mike Leach was not the head coach of WSU, his musings and rantings would most likely not create a noteworthy ripple. However, because his name is inextricably linked to WSU, he enjoys the privilege of a public platform, and arguably, he is, by any pragmatic examination, representing WSU with any of his public utterances, even the preposterous ones.

For WSU to hold up their hands and say this “off the field” bonehead stunt was that of a private citizen is preposterous. By extension, Mike Leach is the highest-profiled face of WSU, an institution that I would hope prides itself of the pursuit and discovery of truth. Leach knowingly and willingly posted a truth-distorted video for whatever reason, but that’s not my point.

As a public figure, which Leach is through his WSU employment, the line between the free speech of a private citizen and a public employee is somewhat blurred in this incident. The “he’s not our problem” response to Leach’s gaffe demonstrates the WSU administration cares more about football than its reputation as an institution of higher learning. I wonder. If Leach had supported wolf protection in this video, would’ve there been a different reaction?

Len Hershman

Spokane