Retired professor blasted by university for ‘offensive’ remark about California wildfires

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (TNND) — The University of Missouri condemned a retired professor on Wednesday for a “deeply offensive” remark regarding the ongoing California wildfires.

Thousands fled Los Angeles on Tuesday as uncontrolled fires swept through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. The fast-approaching flames shut down multiple major roadways, forcing some people to abandon their vehicles.

Karen Piper has been a professor of English and an adjunct professor of Geography at the University of Missouri since 1996. Her LinkedIn profile lists her as still active at the school.

Piper took to X Tuesday with a barb directed at actor James Woods, an outspoken conservative. The fires, she wrote, are the direct consequences of his own actions.

“James Woods’ house is burning down,” she wrote. “It’s karma calling.”

Woods has blamed California leaders for the blaze, claiming they are incompetent.

“This fire is not from ‘climate change,’ you ignorant a**hole,” Woods told one commenter. “It’s because liberal idiots like you elect liberal idiots like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass. One doesn’t understand the first thing about fire management and the other can’t fill the water reservoirs.”

A spokesperson for the university condemned Piper for the remark in a statement sent via email.

“The University of Missouri extends its sympathies to all those affected by the wildfires in California,” they wrote. “We find the statement by Karen Piper — a retired professor — to be deeply offensive, and it does not reflect the university’s viewpoint or values. We are reviewing this matter.”

Woods did not appear to directly acknowledge Piper’s remark, but is continuing to share his reactions to the fire as it draws closer to his home.

“All the smoke detectors are going off in our house and transmitting to our iPhones,” he wrote. “I couldn’t believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one.”

Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is reportedly returning to the city after departing for a visit to Africa, according to media outlet INKL. She was visiting on a delegation trip to attend the presidential inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.

“You’re in Ghana while the area you were elected to serve is burning???” one commenter asked via Facebook. “What is the matter with you? Get home and at least pretend you’re a leader!!!”

“Excuse you?” another commenter asked. “Your city is burning and you are somewhere else?”