Regentgate: ATL's Exclusive Interview with Adam Key (Part 2 of 2)

In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve been experiencing technical difficulties around here (due to unusually high site traffic today). We’ve actually been trying to post new material for a while, but without success until now. Tech folks are investigating the problems, and hopefully things will return to normal shortly.
We’re now pleased to bring the second half of our interview with Adam Key, the Regent Law School second-year student who has found himself in a bit of hot water. Background on the controversy, a free-speech dispute between Key and the Regent administration, is available here and here.
The first part of our interview with Adam Key is accessible here. The balance of the interview — in which Adam Key reveals his professional wrestling nickname, talks about his new book, and discusses his Regent sister, Monica Goodling — appears after the jump.


What kind of response have you received from the Regent community other than the administration – e.g., fellow students, faculty members?
A lot of students have expressed support for what I’m doing, and a handful have expressed disgust. The ones who support me, however, are fearful to publicly speak out because they have seen what Regent does to dissenting voices. Remarkably, the most support I’ve received have come from 1Ls, many who have expressed a strong desire to transfer because of this. I’ve also received a massive outpouring of support on Facebook itself, both from Regent students and non-Regent students alike. The kind students at Washington & Lee School of Law have started a Facebook group to support my cause.
What about professors of yours – have they said anything (positive or negative)?
The friends I have on the faculty are privately supportive, but publicly silent. Even tenured professors can be fired at a whim by Pat, or so I’ve been told by faculty.
What do you say to people who say you’re just doing this for attention, that it’s a publicity stunt?
I’m in my second year of law school. Do you really think I would spend thousands of dollars and go through an entire year of law school just to pull a stunt? That’s pretty ridiculous. Honestly, I didn’t start this whole thing. I put a picture on my Facebook as a joke, Regent came after me. The more they’ve pressed, the more public it became. They did this to themselves.
Where did this talk about you having a gun come from? I believe you were quoted in the Virginian-Pilot article as saying you don’t own a gun. Did this just come out of the blue?
The firearm allegation is a complete fabrication engineered by the Regent administration. I don’t know if a student lied or they just made it up but I do not own or carry a firearm, nor have I ever. While I fully support the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms, it is a right that I, personally, do not exercise. The whole thing is an attempt to exploit the fear of school shooting after the Virginia Tech incident just as people like John Ashcroft (incidentally a Regent prof as well) have used fear of terrorism after 9/11 to infringe on our essential liberties.
You mentioned you don’t regret going to Regent. So I assume you’re not interested in transferring?
I am definitely open to the possibility of transferring. If any university would like to help me escape from this free speech hating zone, I would definitely appreciate it. However, I like to finish things I start and therefore would also consider staying at Regent.
Looking ahead, what do you want to do after graduation? What are your goals for your legal career? Do you know where you’ll be for your 2L summer? Where were you last summer?
Honestly, I’m not quite sure where I’ll be for my 2L summer. Last summer, I worked very briefly at Fairchild, Price, Thomas & Haley in Nacogdoches, TX but left shortly to publish my book.
And what about longer term? When you went to law school, did you have a clear idea of what you wanted to do with your degree?
I went to law school because I wanted to learn to defend the Constitution. Every day, it seems our freedoms are eroding in this country in the name of political correctness and national security. I wanted to help preserve our essential liberties and defend those who needed it most. I plan to, at least for a time, be a public defender.
Interesting. So has this episode reinforced your views?
Definitely. Whether it’s by Pat Robertson or the U.S. government, our freedoms are definitely still in danger.
Okay, to shift gears, into lighter territory… Did it hurt getting all those tattoos?
Haha… Anyone who tells you that tattoos don’t hurt is a liar.
Did you get them all at once, or in stages?
Most of the work has been done over the last 6 months. The majority of my tattoos were done by Mike Dolese of Southside Tattoo in Nacogdoches, TX.
Oh, so they’re recent — interesting. Funny that you got them while at Regent! You’re definitely not the stereotypical Regent student.
And proud of it.
Speaking of which, it seems that so much of the public’s view of Regent has been colored by Monica Goodling. What do you think of her?
I don’t know her, personally. I think Gonzalez owes her an apology for that whole mess.
Tell us more about your book. What’s the title? How has it been received? How is it selling?
The book is “Your Best Lie Now: The Gospel According to Joel Osteen.” It’s a critique of Joel Osteen, the pastor of America’s largest and fastest growing church. Basically, it compares what he preaches to what the Bible says and finds that the two are totally different. It’s actually available for free online (I couldn’t find a publisher willing to take on Joel) and in book form for the cost of production.
Actually, since you have a book out — have people accused you of doing this to publicize the book?
As far as accusations that I’m trying to use this to promote my book, I already reached my target audience: Joel’s congregation. In August, I set up outside Lakewood and gave away copies of my book while preaching the Gospel. I put a clip of that on YouTube. Publicizing the book is not my concern as I’m not making a dime off of it.
Is it true that you were once a pro wrestler? If so, what was that like? How many wrestlers do you think have gone to law school?
Yes, I was a professional wrestler. I started training with Tugboat Taylor in Houston when I was 16 and started matches when I was 17. I was sidelined due to heavy injuries from a car wreck and have only recently started training in the ring again. At this point, I’m considering making a comeback (especially since I have a lot more time to train now that I don’t have classes). Honestly, I don’t know of any other wrestlers in law school.
Wow, that’s wild! Did you have a nickname?
I wrestled under several different names, but my current character is the Freedom Fighter, kind of reality based, haha. And I’m pretty sure I could take Monica Goodling in a cage match, despite claims to the opposite.
HA! Thanks so much for your time. Any concluding thoughts, things you’d like to add, parting words for readers?
Never be afraid to take a stand for what you believe in. You may lose and you will most definitely be criticized (sometimes by people with blogs), but no one has ever made a difference without standing up.
Earlier: Regentgate: ATL’s Exclusive Interview with Adam Key (Part 1 of 2)
Regent Law School in the News Once Again
Regent Revisited: Tattooed Dude Suspended Pending Psychiatric Evaluation

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