I am not making this up: Dave Barry is “patently offensive”

by Nick Gillespie

October 18, 2006

Reason Magazine

The free-speech fun squad at the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) reports on the latest suppression of expression on campus: In August, a grad student at Marquette University in Milwaukee posted a Dave Barry quote on his office door. The quote reads: “As Americans we must always remember that we all have a common enemy, an enemy that is dangerous, powerful, and relentless. I refer, of course, to the federal government.”
 
On September 5, says FIRE:
Philosophy Department Chair James South sent [student Stuart] Ditsler an e-mail stating that he had received several complaints and therefore removed the quote. He wrote, “While I am a strong supporter of academic freedom, 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.”
I dunno about you, but I actually think the most offensive thing in the whole situation is the department chair’s quisling claim to being “a strong supporter of academic freedom.” More info here.

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