Four days ago, Erik Loomis, an assistant professor of American history at the University of Rhode Island, retweeted the above tweet. In case it disappears down the memory hole, here’s a .jpg captured for posterity:
That was just one of Loomis’ many angry, profane tweets/retweets bashing pro-gun organizations and individuals such as NRA chief Wayne LaPierre in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting massacre in Newtown, Conn.
@rmccrory I was heartbroken in the first 20 mass murders. Now I want Wayne LaPierre's head on a stick.
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 15, 2012
Looks like the National Rifle Association has murdered some more children.
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 14, 2012
@fmanjoo There are words. Fuck the National Rifle Association and its policies to put crazy guns in everyone's hands.
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 14, 2012
https://twitter.com/ErikLoomis/status/279644860523360256
Wayne LaPierre is a criminal and should be in prison for complicity with murder. 27 counts.
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 14, 2012
https://twitter.com/ErikLoomis/status/279671965277634560
https://twitter.com/ErikLoomis/status/279672505201987584
Can we define NRA membership dues as contributing to a terrorist organization?
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 14, 2012
I bet terrorist NRA head Wayne LaPierre will sleep well tonight.
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 15, 2012
Larry Pratt and the group Gun Owners of America are terrorists and should be dealt with as such. http://t.co/cYnEX2iA
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 15, 2012
Recommended
Idiot of the day: Eugene Volokh, for arguing we should arm school teachers. http://t.co/pQMZz7Xm
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 15, 2012
The NRA pushes for policies that make it complicit in mass murders in the US and Mexico. Repeal the 2nd Amendment.
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 18, 2012
Another day, another NRA facilitated terrorist attack. This morning at an Alabama hospital. http://t.co/6A4bZzvR
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 15, 2012
Your daily NRA-facilitated terrorism. San Antonio this time. http://t.co/i8PmsM2R
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 17, 2012
He calls it an “intimidation campaign” when websites such as Campus Reform, quote what he said about Wayne LaPierre:
The right-wing intimidation campaign against me for saying the NRA was a terrorist organization continues. Will not succeed.
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 18, 2012
@NeilAnAlien Indeed they will not. In fact, I'd like to write up my story of right-wing intimidation for a magazine.
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 18, 2012
The Venn diagram between those who are trying to intimidate me and those who think Obama is the Kenyan usurper is sizable.
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 18, 2012
He backs away from his “head on a stick” comment but doubles down on his view that Wayne LaPierre should be imprisoned:
Dear right-wing morons, saying you "want someone's head on a stick" is a metaphor. I know metaphor is hard for you to understand.
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 18, 2012
Dear rightwingers, to be clear, I don't want to see Wayne LaPierre dead. I want to see him in prison for the rest of his life. #nraterrorism
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 18, 2012
Even when not addressing guns, Loomis seems to have significant anger and anxiety issues:
@jacremes Bad TV makes me angry.
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 17, 2012
How do people relax after writing without alcohol? Am trying, failing. A jumble of nerves, determined no one will ever publish the book.
— Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) December 17, 2012
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the need for access to mental health services. We hope Loomis seeks the help he so obviously needs. (Update: Lots more angry tweets here.)
* * *
Update, 1:22 pm ET: Loomis defends his “head on a stick” comment in a blog post. (It’s OK because it was a metaphor, you see.) He mentions in passing that he had “a meeting with the Rhode Island State Police last night.”
Still no defense of his pro-murder retweet.
@ErikLoomis what about the @rudepundit retweet? What is "needs to get beaten to death" a metaphor for?
— keith tucker ن (@a_typicalXian) December 18, 2012
@ErikLoomis I am a member of NRA & think teachers should have choice to be armed Do you think I should be murdered my head placed on a stick
— T. Jones (@coelkhntr) December 18, 2012
Question: Does Loomis advocate the assassination of the Governor of Virginia?
Bob McDonnell: Consider guns for school officials: http://t.co/oGNgnyu2
— POLITICO (@politico) December 18, 2012
As of 1:44 pm ET Loomis’ pro-murder retweet is still up.
* * *
Update, 3:14 pm ET: Loomis has deleted his Twitter account. The tweets he doesn’t want you to see are here.
* * *
Update:
University of Rhode Island president Dr. David M. Dooley has issued a statement on behalf of the school:
The University of Rhode Island does not condone acts or threats of violence. These remarks do not reflect the views of the institution and Erik Loomis does not speak on behalf of the University. The University is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and equitable culture that aspires to promote positive change.
Related:
Sick retweet by disgraced Rhode Island prof Erik Loomis: ‘Hunt down Dick Morris like a pig’
Flashback: Erik Loomis criticized Sarah Palin for ‘violent rhetoric’
Join the conversation as a VIP Member