Opposition Media Shut Down; Censorship Imposed...
Am I referring to Hugo Chavez? To Raul or Fidel Castro? To Kim Jong Il?
Hell, no--I'm referring to the oppressors at Tuft's University, who put the screws to its only conservative publication:
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
To air concerns, contact: Lawrence Bacow, Tufts University President
bacow@tufts.edu
Tufts University finds conservative student publication guilty on two counts each of harassment and creation of a hostile environment
With this decision, Tufts University changes its position on free speech and effectively hampers the ability of its students to engage in political dialogue.
MEDFORD, MA — 5/10/2007 — The Tufts University Committee on Student Life (CSL) found THE PRIMARY SOURCE, the journal of conservative thought at Tufts, guilty of harassment and creation of a hostile environment resulting in sanctions against the publication. According to former Editor-in-Chief Douglas Kingman, “THE PRIMARY SOURCE condemns the ruling as a direct assault on the freedom of political expression and speech at Tufts.”
In its decision, the CSL stated that “this is a complicated case that, at its core, requires us to resolve a conflict between two important policies at Tufts University: freedom of expression on the one hand, and non-discrimination on the other.” The CSL choose not to uphold freedom of expression at Tufts.
The ruling is a reversal of current University policies. Dean of Students Bruce Reitman states in the University handbook that students should “cherish the opportunity to be learning in a place where controversial expression is embraced.” Furthermore, Tufts President Lawrence S. Bacow stated in a campus editorial that “the First Amendment protects freedom of speech and that includes most offensive speech.”
THE PRIMARY SOURCE was brought before the CSL on charges from student David Dennis and the Muslim Student Association for, respectively, printing a Christmas carol parody entitled “O Come All Ye Black Folk” and “Islam, Arabic Translation: Submission”. The paper was charged with creating a hostile environment, harassment, and breaching community standards. The carol parody was meant to be a critique of collegiate affirmative action policies through the eyes of an admissions officer. It sought to satirically illustrate the offensive nature of racial stereotypes underlying affirmative action but was seen by some as racially insensitive. “Islam, Arabic Translation: Submission” was meant to draw attention to the radical fringe of Islam by quoting the Koran and news accounts detailing the actions of radical Muslims.
THE PRIMARY SOURCE will be forced to end its twenty-five year practice of printing unsigned editorials, a vital component of the free press. Furthermore, THE PRIMARY SOURCE has been singled out in this ruling because only THE PRIMARY SOURCE will be prohibited from printing unsigned editorials—all other campus publications still maintain the privilege. This punishment is being issued despite President Bacow’s statement in the Tufts Observer magazine that “the appropriate response to offensive speech is more speech, not less.”
Whether it's trying to re-implement the Fairness Doctrine, or severely restricting Conservative thought, liberals, the supposed champions of diversity; the alleged guardians of liberty and tolerance; are themselves ethically- challenged, and no better than
two-bit tinhorn dictators who wield the power of military might to impose their will upon their citizens. The pointy-headed spineless, gutless faculty at Tuft's University are apparently no exception.
For alumni of Tuft's University, you may want to politely hang up the next time your alumni association calls you up for a handout. To reiterate:
Dean of Students Bruce Reitman states in the University handbook that students should “cherish the opportunity to be learning in a place where controversial expression is embraced.” Furthermore, Tufts President Lawrence S. Bacow stated in a campus editorial that “the First Amendment protects freedom of speech and that includes most offensive speech.”
Then again, i suppose that liberal speech
can get pretty offensive, no?
Posted by Leo at May 31, 2007 11:52 PM
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That slippery slope is fully greased at most of the US colleges Leo, both private and state run. Having turned from institutions of higher learning to indoctrination clinics for the left it's painfully obvious.
There's sure nothing like paying 30-50-100 thou or so for your kid to get the same education they can receive nowadays with a subscription to the New York Times and a Daily Kos newsletter.
Posted by:
Chicagoray at June 1, 2007 01:07 AM
A hostile environment? Sounds a bit like what they had back in the old USSR - "contacts leading to suspicion of espionage"...in other words, a subjective judgement which allows you to suppress anyone you want for any reason that comes to mind.
Posted by: Mark Noonan at June 1, 2007 03:37 AM
Ah, yes, the Saudi-Wahhabi front group known as the Muslim Student Association has been silencing criticism of Islam and instituting Islamic practices in universities across America. One of the latest examples (click link):
"Photos from George Mason University"
Thu, May 10, 2007
Check out Brian Ledbetter’s photographs from George Mason University, where the Muslim Student Association has taken over the “Quiet Meditation Area” and the state has installed Islamic washing areas.
At least the Muslim Student Association didn't get them sentenced to death for their "blasphemy" of Islam...
Christian Sentenced to Death for 'Blaspheming' Muhammad... "Another Christian condemned to death for blasphemy, without any proof"
Lahore (AsiaNews) – A Pakistani district court yesterday condemned to death Younis Masih, a Christian accused of blasphemy.
[..]Police had registered a blasphemy case against Masih on September 10, 2005: according to charges laid against him he allegedly made derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad and the Koran at during an argument with a group of Muslims, an offence punishable by hanging or life imprisonment according to state law.
The MSA and similar Islamic front groups have been working feverishly in colleges, universities, the media, etc. to silence critcism of Islam. If we Americans don't stand up to them, the consequences will be deadly.
Posted by: Freedom1 at June 1, 2007 03:41 AM
If creating the a "hostile environment" should be the standard, then it would appear that the majority of college campi should shut down forthwith.
After all, they don't necessarily create a "friendly" environment for conservatives, do they?
Posted by:
Leo Pusateri at June 1, 2007 08:22 AM
Having no stake in this debate and being outside the human realm I feel I can make a case for the decision as it stands. it is something that most conservatives should understand because they are actually the people in America who want to foment their ideology and beliefs on those who think they are fit only for the intellectual outhouse. That said, here's a case in point, in a time when blacks in America has little rights, during slavery, it would have been safe to argue that for raping a female slave since she is not subject to the law because her master feels she is not human then if she kills him no crime in the eyes of the Law has been committed either way. Fearful of this justification states moved to make laws making slaves subject to the laws of the land without the rights that came with that subjugation. Penance without freedom is the true evil of slavery.
Now let us step back a moment and see what the grievance really is at Tufts. Some Muslim and black students feel they were maligned by the two articles they are annoyed at its contents. In that case they are much like many of the conservatives that come here complaining about the actions of other that in no way infringe upon anything other than the sensibilities of those with right wing views not their lives. The very fact that women have abortions has no effect on America as a whole it merely effects her population and the lives directly of the persons involved most directly the dead child.
Seeing a same sex couple holding hands in public I think does little to destroy "the fabric of America's way of life" because that fabric is economic not social. America has no culture or values beyond the fact that it has economic largesse if you take that away then America becomes as irreligious and brutal as any land on terra by using religion as a cudgel. For direct proof of this see the Great Depression.
But back to Tufts, I feel the school has taken a stride toward censorship here and that they should allow the conservative paper back in. If the students that feel they were wronged will not accept an apology then they should go outside of campus Justice and into the light of Justice as American citizens to seek relief.
Qu'ul cuda praedex nihil!
Posted by:
Cavalor Epthith, Esquire at June 1, 2007 08:29 AM
What a bunch of hypocrites you are. You gleefully wait for the latest liberal poster to be banned for 'offensive' comments, yet you whine and cry when someone else does the same thing.
By the way, Leo, Tufts is a top-tier university. Do you really think any of their alumni are posting here in agreement with you? Maybe Freedom1 went to Tufts. I hear its a great place to major in racism and religious bigotry.
Posted by: steveGA at June 1, 2007 08:53 AM
Given that the email address was included in your article, maybe the conservatives here should start emailing the president of the university about this. If enough email hits stating how wrong this action is, he might over rule the CSL and restore the freedom of speech to the conservatives. Or maybe the conservatives should start a new paper - published off campus - and distribute it on campus?
Posted by: kjstrouble at June 1, 2007 10:43 AM
Thu, May 10, 2007 Check out Brian Ledbetter’s photographs from George Mason University, where the Muslim Student Association has taken over the “Quiet Meditation Area” and the state has installed Islamic washing areas.
Hmmm. Where's the "separation of church and state" crowd? Surely, they must be upset about this.
A hostile environment?
Mark, this has to be one of the most poorly-defined and subjective terms that any of us have to deal with. Hostile according to whose perception? Or whose feelings?
it is something that most conservatives should understand because they are actually the people in America who want to foment their ideology and beliefs on those who think they are fit only for the intellectual outhouse.
If this fomenting their beliefs on others is a conservative thing, why is it that conservative speakers are shouted down trying to give speeches at colleges, while liberal speakers are for the most part politely listened to? Seems to me that the left is no stranger to fomenting their beliefs on others, when it comes to affirmative action, gun control, gay rights and open borders (although some on the right have joined this last contingent).
How do they do this? Disagree with racial preferences, you'll be called "racist". Disagree with feminists, you're a "sexist". Disagree with "open borders", you're a xenophobe. Disagree with the gay rights crowd, you're a "homophobe".
Posted by: Bigfoot at June 1, 2007 04:29 PM
"Having no stake in this debate and being outside the human realm I feel I can make a case for the decision as it stands." Cavalor Epthith
...being outside the human realm? bwahahhahahahahaha!!
What are you a psuedo intellectual Martian, or are you writing to us from a Primate Research Laboratory ?
Your examples fall far short of relevance. Last I checked the First Ammendment was about freedom of speech, not freedom of action.
Posted by: phnx at June 1, 2007 06:47 PM
When people refused to support 2nd Amendment Rights, how far behind could First Amendment Rights be?
Posted by: Kahn at June 2, 2007 01:42 AM
Order Matt and Mark's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble
That slippery slope is fully greased at most of the US colleges Leo, both private and state run. Having turned from institutions of higher learning to indoctrination clinics for the left it's painfully obvious.
There's sure nothing like paying 30-50-100 thou or so for your kid to get the same education they can receive nowadays with a subscription to the New York Times and a Daily Kos newsletter.
A hostile environment? Sounds a bit like what they had back in the old USSR - "contacts leading to suspicion of espionage"...in other words, a subjective judgement which allows you to suppress anyone you want for any reason that comes to mind.
Ah, yes, the Saudi-Wahhabi front group known as the Muslim Student Association has been silencing criticism of Islam and instituting Islamic practices in universities across America. One of the latest examples (click link):
"Photos from George Mason University"
At least the Muslim Student Association didn't get them sentenced to death for their "blasphemy" of Islam...
Christian Sentenced to Death for 'Blaspheming' Muhammad... "Another Christian condemned to death for blasphemy, without any proof"
The MSA and similar Islamic front groups have been working feverishly in colleges, universities, the media, etc. to silence critcism of Islam. If we Americans don't stand up to them, the consequences will be deadly.
If creating the a "hostile environment" should be the standard, then it would appear that the majority of college campi should shut down forthwith.
After all, they don't necessarily create a "friendly" environment for conservatives, do they?
Having no stake in this debate and being outside the human realm I feel I can make a case for the decision as it stands. it is something that most conservatives should understand because they are actually the people in America who want to foment their ideology and beliefs on those who think they are fit only for the intellectual outhouse. That said, here's a case in point, in a time when blacks in America has little rights, during slavery, it would have been safe to argue that for raping a female slave since she is not subject to the law because her master feels she is not human then if she kills him no crime in the eyes of the Law has been committed either way. Fearful of this justification states moved to make laws making slaves subject to the laws of the land without the rights that came with that subjugation. Penance without freedom is the true evil of slavery.
Now let us step back a moment and see what the grievance really is at Tufts. Some Muslim and black students feel they were maligned by the two articles they are annoyed at its contents. In that case they are much like many of the conservatives that come here complaining about the actions of other that in no way infringe upon anything other than the sensibilities of those with right wing views not their lives. The very fact that women have abortions has no effect on America as a whole it merely effects her population and the lives directly of the persons involved most directly the dead child.
Seeing a same sex couple holding hands in public I think does little to destroy "the fabric of America's way of life" because that fabric is economic not social. America has no culture or values beyond the fact that it has economic largesse if you take that away then America becomes as irreligious and brutal as any land on terra by using religion as a cudgel. For direct proof of this see the Great Depression.
But back to Tufts, I feel the school has taken a stride toward censorship here and that they should allow the conservative paper back in. If the students that feel they were wronged will not accept an apology then they should go outside of campus Justice and into the light of Justice as American citizens to seek relief.
Qu'ul cuda praedex nihil!
What a bunch of hypocrites you are. You gleefully wait for the latest liberal poster to be banned for 'offensive' comments, yet you whine and cry when someone else does the same thing.
By the way, Leo, Tufts is a top-tier university. Do you really think any of their alumni are posting here in agreement with you? Maybe Freedom1 went to Tufts. I hear its a great place to major in racism and religious bigotry.
Given that the email address was included in your article, maybe the conservatives here should start emailing the president of the university about this. If enough email hits stating how wrong this action is, he might over rule the CSL and restore the freedom of speech to the conservatives. Or maybe the conservatives should start a new paper - published off campus - and distribute it on campus?
Thu, May 10, 2007 Check out Brian Ledbetter’s photographs from George Mason University, where the Muslim Student Association has taken over the “Quiet Meditation Area” and the state has installed Islamic washing areas.
Hmmm. Where's the "separation of church and state" crowd? Surely, they must be upset about this.
A hostile environment?
Mark, this has to be one of the most poorly-defined and subjective terms that any of us have to deal with. Hostile according to whose perception? Or whose feelings?
it is something that most conservatives should understand because they are actually the people in America who want to foment their ideology and beliefs on those who think they are fit only for the intellectual outhouse.
If this fomenting their beliefs on others is a conservative thing, why is it that conservative speakers are shouted down trying to give speeches at colleges, while liberal speakers are for the most part politely listened to? Seems to me that the left is no stranger to fomenting their beliefs on others, when it comes to affirmative action, gun control, gay rights and open borders (although some on the right have joined this last contingent).
How do they do this? Disagree with racial preferences, you'll be called "racist". Disagree with feminists, you're a "sexist". Disagree with "open borders", you're a xenophobe. Disagree with the gay rights crowd, you're a "homophobe".
"Having no stake in this debate and being outside the human realm I feel I can make a case for the decision as it stands." Cavalor Epthith
...being outside the human realm? bwahahhahahahahaha!!
What are you a psuedo intellectual Martian, or are you writing to us from a Primate Research Laboratory ?
Your examples fall far short of relevance. Last I checked the First Ammendment was about freedom of speech, not freedom of action.
When people refused to support 2nd Amendment Rights, how far behind could First Amendment Rights be?