LSU graduate assistant banned from teaching over f-bomb-filled voicemail to state senator
A Louisiana State University graduate student has been banned from teaching at the institution due to fallout from an aggressive voicemail in which he tells a state senator that he “can’t wait to read [his] name in the f-ing obituary.”
Marcus Venable, a graduate assistant in the sociology department, was cut off from his teaching assignments this week when the contents of the 50-second diatribe went viral on social media, WAFB reported.
“I just wanted to say ‘congratulations,’ to our State Senator, ‘Big Mike’ Fesi. And that f-ing moron voted to make things worse for people who are already suffering. You fat f-ing piece of sh-t,” Venable said in the voicemail for Sen. Mike Fesi (R-Houma), a recording of which was posted on Twitter Wednesday by conservative self-titled “news breaker” Greg Price.
Venable’s vitriol was reportedly sparked by Fesi voting this week to override Gov. John Bel Edwards’ veto on House Bill 648, which prohibits gender confirmation surgery for minors, WAFB said.
“I can’t wait to read your name in the f-ing obituary,” Venable’s message continues.
“I will make a goddamn martini made from the tears of your butthurt conservatives when we put your f-ing ass in the ground, you fat f-ing useless piece of sh-t. F-k you. I hope you have a terrible day.”
Venable did not immediately reply to The Post’s request for a comment on Friday.
On Thursday, LSU announced that Venable will be allowed to continue his studies, but “will not be extended the opportunity to teach in the future,” WNRZ reported.
“As a university, we foster open and respectful dialogue. Like everyone, graduate students with teaching assignments have the right to express their opinions, but this profanity-filled, threatening call crossed the line,” a spokesperson told the outlet.
“This does not exhibit the character we expect of someone given the privilege of teaching as part of their graduate assistantship.”
The university could not be immediately reached for a comment on Friday morning.
Fesi, who often goes by the nickname “Big Mike,” told WAFB that the voicemail “goes too far.”
“We just got to understand that everybody’s got their opinion, we still live in a great country for freedom of speech. But we just got to hold it to a condition that everybody understands each other, and we don’t always have to agree,” he said.
The Louisiana State Police is also investigating the voicemail, a representative confirmed to The Post.
According to the LSU Sociology Department’s website, Venable entered the graduate program during the 2017-19 academic year.
His research interests include criminology, sexual assault, sex-offender recidivism, and he is advised by Associate Professor Michael S. Barton.
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