The Mainstream Media (AP, FOX News, JS) along with FIRE have picked up on a story GOP3.com posted on at the beginning of last month about the silencing of Marquette University student Stuart Distler.
Marquette University’s free speech record has again reared it’s ugly head in a new example of campus censorship. What began with the forced removal and seziure of a support our troops table and continued through the attempted expulsion of a Dental School blogger is again evidenced in the silencing of a doctoral candidate, Stuart Ditsler. Stuart recently became the target of the pro-big-government crowd here at Marquette when a quote that he posted on his door (a place that usually houses the thoughts of liberal professors) was removed and he was reprimanded in this departmental memo.
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What was this egregious quote you might ask?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. – Dave Barry
We here at GOP3.com hold our prior statement:
Absolutely ridiculous. We allow the decidedly unCatholic, even anti-Catholic (and anti-life) teachings of Daniel McGuire but if someone doesn’t like the government, large or small, they are censored and chastised. Marquette University needs to stop engaging in doublespeak and selective censorship and start applying their policies in an even, fair fashion.
UPDATE: Be sure to read about Marquette University’s lies around this matter as they try to run away from their mistake:
Last 5 posts by BrandonIn a bizarre twist, the article claims that Marquette President Robert Wild sent a letter to FIRE dated October 16, claiming that the offending quote was removed from the door because it had no attribution thus “someone reading the quotation may not have understood the humor/satire of Dave Barry.†First, this is a dubious claim since the content of the quote is in question, not who said it. Second, in FIRE’s letter to Marquette, FIRE asked for a response by October 11 and, while Marquette claimed its letter was dated October 16, as of today, FIRE has received no letter from Marquette. It’s possible the letter was sent and FIRE has not yet received it; it’s more likely that the letter was backdated by Marquette when the school came under pressure from press and alumni following FIRE’s October 18 press release. It wouldn’t be the first time FIRE has seen such tactics.
- The Graphic Effect of High Taxes and Spending, Move on out! - June 16th, 2010
- Live from the 2010 Wisconsin GOP Convention - May 22nd, 2010
- Republican Party of Wisconsin State Convention 2010 - May 21st, 2010
- Charts: Artificial American Recovery? - April 15th, 2010
- Liberal Professor to Teach FUELMilwaukee "Government 101" - April 14th, 2010
Yet another example of why this University is a joke.
This is a big moment for me, I’ve always wanted to say this to a conservative:
“Marquette”: Love it, or leave it. If you think “Marquette” is so bad, why don’t you just go to St. Louis University or St. Norberts? You chose to attend the school, so stop complaining about it and do something.
*attempt at irony
Zach,
I respect you, but that is honestly the most retarded thing I hear from liberals on campus. First, it’s not feasible to pack up your bags midway through college. Second, virtually no one without ties to Marquette could possibly understand how badly the campus is run as a prospective student. Third, it’s bizarrely illogical to claim that criticism must be followed through with a transfer. If everyone who criticized Bobby Wild and the rest of the gang were to leave MU, it would never change and we’d still be in the Diulio era *shudders*.
I’d also like to add that yes, we are doing something about it. This is why The Warrior began. This is why GOP3 began, and why McAdams blogs. So that our criticism may be heard and so that Marquette may be a better place.
Brian
Brian -
Marquette…love it or leave it. C’mon man, you can move to Canada if you want.
Brian,
I agree that it’s a totally stupid thing to say. My *attempt at irony was supposed to show that.
However, I think it’s an equally stupid thing to say when conservatives say it about liberals in national politics. The, “why don’t you just move to Canada” if you hate America so much? is equally as illogical for the reasons you just gave.
Ahhh, makes sense.
I thought it sounded odd for you to say that . . .