Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

University Bans Humor Quotation From Student's Door
CNSnews.com ^ | 10/19/06 | Nathan Burchfiel

Posted on 10/19/2006 10:05:37 AM PDT by Froufrou

Officials at Marquette University have ordered a Ph.D. student to remove a quotation critical of the federal government from his office door, because the hallway the door faces is not a "free speech zone."

In August, Stuart Distler, a doctoral student teacher, posted a quotation from humor columnist Dave Barry on his office door. "As Americans, we must always remember that we all have a common enemy, an enemy that is dangerous, powerful and relentless," the sign stated. "I refer, of course, to the federal government."

On Sept. 5, Philosophy Department Chairman James South informed Distler via email that the sign had been taken down because it was "patently offensive."

"While I'm a strong supporter of academic freedom," South wrote, "I'm afraid that hallways and office doors are not 'free-speech zones.' If material is patently offensive and has no obvious academic import or university sanction, I have little choice but to take note."

When asked to comment on academic freedom at the university, South told Cybercast News Service he had "no interest in pursuing that conversation, but I do appreciate your interest."

South directed further questions to university spokeswoman Mary Pat Pfeil, who did not respond to requests for comment via telephone and email Wednesday.

According to the university policy South quoted in his email to Distler, student teachers are allowed to participate in free speech "when he/she speaks or writes as a citizen," but when speaking or writing as a teacher, the university "imposes special obligations."

While student teachers are "entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing his/her subject," they are required to "exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others and should make every effort to indicate that he/she is not an institutional spokesperson."

"This incident at Marquette is part of a truly disturbing trend," Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), said in a release.

"Administrators seem willing to ban speech across the board and to designate increasingly tiny 'free speech zones' rather than risk any student or faculty member being offended," Lukianoff said.

Referring to the quotation as a "harmless joke," Lukianoff said the controversy at Marquette illustrates "how even innocuous expression is under ongoing assault at our colleges and universities."


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-77 next last

1 posted on 10/19/2006 10:05:38 AM PDT by Froufrou
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Froufrou
Okay, time to ride to Dave Barry's defense right quick: Dave Barry is a libertarian, and the quotation in question was more than likely written in the '90s, more than likely in reference to toilet flush regulations. Observe.
2 posted on 10/19/2006 10:09:20 AM PDT by Gordongekko909 (Mark 5:9)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Froufrou

This is double-plus ungood.


3 posted on 10/19/2006 10:10:02 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (The broken wall, the burning roof and tower. And Agamemnon dead.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Froufrou
So, we must endure endless twaddle from the Musmlims, must permit pornography in our public libraries where our children can access it, must condone homosexuality because it is not PC to disapprove, must allow public taxes funding "art" such as a cross in urine, but a public hallway in a publicly funded university is not a "free speech zone"?

You remember when the Founders added the "zone" clause, limiting the First Amendment, right?

4 posted on 10/19/2006 10:10:51 AM PDT by 50sDad (The GOP dumped Foley, the Dems kept Clinton. See the difference?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Froufrou

"Bush Is A Poopie Head" would have been acceptable...


5 posted on 10/19/2006 10:11:28 AM PDT by Doctor Raoul (New York Times? Get a rope!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gordongekko909

Dave MUST have an email address, somewhere, right? Is he still doing fresh stuff? This deserves attention.


6 posted on 10/19/2006 10:11:55 AM PDT by 50sDad (The GOP dumped Foley, the Dems kept Clinton. See the difference?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Froufrou
On Sept. 5, Philosophy Department Chairman James South informed Distler via email that the sign had been taken down because it was "patently offensive."

I'm in complete agreement.

The federal government is "patently offensive."

7 posted on 10/19/2006 10:12:07 AM PDT by Corin Stormhands (http://wardsmythe.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gordongekko909

I get your point, and concur, but someone named Lieberman wrote what you linked.


8 posted on 10/19/2006 10:12:43 AM PDT by Froufrou
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Froufrou
"free speech zone."

I have this mental image of a group of people huddled around outside, like smokers, exercising their 1st Amendment rights.

9 posted on 10/19/2006 10:13:16 AM PDT by Zuben Elgenubi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 50sDad
He's got a blog. And it appears that he knows about this already.
10 posted on 10/19/2006 10:13:55 AM PDT by Gordongekko909 (Mark 5:9)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Froufrou
Congress shall make no law.........

I wonder what the University would think about that sentence?..........

11 posted on 10/19/2006 10:13:59 AM PDT by Red Badger (CONGRESS NEEDS TO BE DE-FOLEY-ATED...............................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 50sDad; Doctor Raoul

I like the poopie head best...sounds so liberal...

If they're gonna do this in dorms, why the!%#^!& can't I get the XXX stores out of my 'hood?


12 posted on 10/19/2006 10:14:31 AM PDT by Froufrou
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Froufrou
...Philosophy Department Chairman James South informed Distler via email that the sign had been taken down because it was "patently offensive."

Socrates is squirming in his grave...

13 posted on 10/19/2006 10:15:02 AM PDT by snarks_when_bored
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 50sDad

I don't think Marquette is a public university........


14 posted on 10/19/2006 10:15:31 AM PDT by Red Badger (CONGRESS NEEDS TO BE DE-FOLEY-ATED...............................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Froufrou
I would think that the chairman of a Philosophy Dept might understand that people in any country can go to a public park, mount a soap box and shout "I love my government!"

You don't need the First Amendment to make that possible.

The importance of being able to mount a soap box and declare "I don't trust my government" is precisely why the Founders gave us Freedom of Speech as the very first item on our Bill of Rights.

Sheesh.

15 posted on 10/19/2006 10:15:55 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (The broken wall, the burning roof and tower. And Agamemnon dead.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Froufrou

So did ALL the quotes and cartoons come off of ALL the doors?


16 posted on 10/19/2006 10:15:57 AM PDT by BenLurkin ("The entire remedy is with the people." - W. H. Harrison)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Froufrou
Ben Lieberman, probably no relation. And he was writing about Dave Barry and his campaign against low-water flush toilets.
17 posted on 10/19/2006 10:16:00 AM PDT by Gordongekko909 (Mark 5:9)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Froufrou

Just what the world needs, another philosophy doctoral student. They keep churning out thousands of them but there are very few jobs. Poor guy, he'll never get a job now.


18 posted on 10/19/2006 10:17:08 AM PDT by ladyjane
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy
This is double-plus ungood.

LOL!

19 posted on 10/19/2006 10:17:20 AM PDT by SuperSonic (Bush "lied", people dyed.......their fingers purple.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Froufrou

From the Marquette website, most of Professor South's publications appear to be about "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." It must be nice to get paid for doing juicy research that is about as useful to mankind as a cold enema.

"I have no interest in pursuing that conversation . . ." What an unfunny joke!

Good post, Frou.


20 posted on 10/19/2006 10:18:14 AM PDT by mywholebodyisaweapon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-77 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson