Screenshot from Twitter
Let’s see now
…the boundaries between protected and unprotected speech, between free speech and political advocacy…
If the First Amendment means anything at all, it is the securing of the right of political speech, regardless of any stray adjective like “advocacy” or “partisan”.
Chancellor Dirks keeps using the phrase “free speech” in the same way Totalitarian Left regimes use the phrase “People’s Democratic Republic”.
From Jeff
When left wing academics start telling us we must begin to consider the broader social context inside which free speech is operable and, by necessity, when it perhaps should NOT be, be afraid. Be very afraid.
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UPDATED “Civility” is the theme at Penn State, too …
Debate and disagreement are critical constructs in the role of universities in testing ideas and promoting progress on complex issues. But, the leaders of your University at every level, from the administration, faculty, staff and students, are unanimous in deploring the erosion of civility associated with our discourse. Reasonable people disagree, but we can disagree without sacrificing respect. The First Amendment guarantees our right to speak as we wish, but we are stronger if we can argue and debate without degrading others.
Today, civility is an issue that arises in many areas of campus debate. Some may argue that the lack of civility is a national issue, promoted by a growing community involved in posting anonymous comments on blogs or by acrimonious national politics. We cannot afford to follow their lead, not if we are to serve our students as role models, not if we expect to continue to attract the outstanding volunteers who serve our University in so many ways, and not if we wish to have Penn Staters take our University to new levels of excellence.
Respect is a core value at Penn State University. We ask you to consciously choose civility and to support those whose words and actions serve to promote respectful disagreement and thereby strengthen our community.
Ha. There’s that goofy, ill-used word “ideal” again, exactly in the place where the origin of the word was in a conception of the real and not the ideal. Idiots. But then, what a surprise that an educator wouldn’t know that.
“new levels of excellence.”
Not so fast there, mr. administrator. Don’t you intend new levels of emptiness, rather than excellence, you silly man you?
“Respect is a core value at Penn State University.”
In our best imitation of Michael Palin, we respond “No it’s not!” How’s that for disrespect ya lyin’ thug ya?
****For decades, few universities could match the considerate manner in which Penn Staters treated both friend and opponent and little boys in the shower.****
Hearing their master’s voice and obeying.
The Hill: Memos justifying Bush-era warrantless wiretapping released
You can have your pesky ‘Free Speech’. For as long as you remember: we will always have the final word.
Sincerely,
Your Righteously Zealous Overlords
We are Peen State. We are hardened for civility; especially for your youngest civilians. We’ll shower your young civilians with our hardened, protected civility!
A 20 something kid brought up Willie Horton in a “debate” with me. Suspicious, I asked him who Willie Horton was. “He’s that black guy that Reagan sent Republicans to beat up before an election.”
WE ARE DOOMED.
>WE ARE DOOMED.<
nah tell him al gore did it and watch his zombie brain melt.
the Dark Carnival is approaching and soon Juggalos shall drink? flat strawberry Faygo from our charred skulls.
Strawberry Faygos Forever
“But, the leaders of your University at every level, from the administration, faculty, staff and students, are unanimous in deploring ….”
– how would the Chancellor know what every single “leader” (?) on campus thinks ??
(also, for an interesting bonus point, notice how, to this Chancellor, the University comprises 4 distinct “levels”, starting at administration and heading downwards to students.)