So it's been almost two years since Ward Churchill won his lawsuit against the University of Colorado. A jury found that, yep, sure enough, CU fired Churchill because he said some things that local politicians didn't like, and they'd put enough pressure on the university, including threatening to cut CU's budget, that a task force, led by members of CU's law department, trumped up a reason to fire him. In other words, that they'd violated his First Amendment rights.

But Judge Naves, who presided over the trial, threw out the verdict. For reasons that pretty much, well, everyone found bizarre.

Even more bizarre, I just got the following email forwarded to me:

University of Colorado Law School

30th Annual Law Alumni Awards Banquet

WHAT: The 30th Annual Law Alumni Awards Banquet for the University of Colorado Law School

WHEN: Wednesday, March 9, 2011

5:30 p.m. – Cocktails

7 p.m. – Dinner & Awards ceremony

WHERE: Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center

650 15th Street (corner of 15th & California Street)

WHY: Each year, the University of Colorado Law School recognizes its outstanding Alumni working in the public sector, private practice and in the judiciary. It also presents the William Lee Knous Award, the law school's highest award given to an alumnus or alumna in recognition of outstanding achievement and sustained service to the Law School. Proceeds from the event benefit the University of Colorado Law School's Alumni Scholarship Fund.

WHO: Those being recognized this year are:

William Lee Knous Award

L. Richard Bratton '57

Judiciary

Judge Larry J. Naves '74

Public Sector

Anne J. Castle '81

Private Practice

Mark A. Fogg ' 79

Also being recognized this year for distinguished service and contributions to Colorado Law are retired Federal District Judge Jim Carrigan, Dean David Getches and Professor William Pizzi.

Jill McGranahan

Director of Communications & Public Relations

University of Colorado Law School

303-492-3124

[email protected]

Y'know, I try real hard not to believe in conspiracies and shit like that, but this is the kind of thing that makes it real hard. And even harder not take my CU diploma down to Boulder and stuff it down Bruce Benson's throat.

Update: If you don't have any idea what the hell this post is about, here's a good video.

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

(Cross-posted at PM Press.)