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?