Ruckus over "Taser this: F**k Bush." Colorado State University editor-in-chief

Under fire student editor David McSwane is being subjected to an enquiry over the use of four words in student newspaper
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/09/27/cnnu.editor/index.html
About 300 people crowded into a classroom Wednesday night, with another 200 or so spilling into the hall, to discuss a column that read simply -- "Taser this: F**k Bush." The debate centers around whether this is a case of First Amendment rights, or a case of abusing those free speech rights with an irresponsible, offensive remark.

The Board of Student Communications, made up of six students and three faculty members, was there to question David McSwane, editor-in-chief of The Rocky Mountain Collegian.

It was a chance for students, faculty and community members to talk about the column, which has inflamed tempers since it was published on September 21.

The board will meet privately Thursday to discuss whether to punish McSwane, according to board member and professor Jim Landers.

Comments :-

 

here is a perfect example of what has gone wrong with this country.
this is not iran or another dictatorship and making fun of the president is the ultimate test of free speech.
i hope the schhol makes the right descision and the advertisers should be ashamed of themselves.
also if the advertisers do not reinstate their ads school should publish their name so people can choose to boycot them

 

free speech has consequences sometimes. free speech doesn't happen in a vacuum. its not really a free speech issue anyways.

its nice to know that your version of "free speech" doesn't extend to the advertisers who want to stop their ads.

So, really your position is:

say something i agree with, cool.

say something i disagree with, boycott.

Interesting.

 

free speech does not include companies only people
also i said that they should release their name so people that disagree with them can boycott them if they want. again peoples right
companies have no right they function within a limits set by the people in their community called rules and regulations.

 

the paper runs at the pleasure of the university; so the stories within it are also under that same banner. if someone steps out of bounds they are well within their rights to get rid of them if they want to. if they don't want to, who cares. if they do, who cares. certainly isn't worth much thought, either way.

the best thing about this whole editorial is this:

this happened on a leftist campus, run by a leftist campus administration at a speech by a leftist speaker, who was tazered at an event for leftists. And somehow bush is to blame. Talk about beaten wife syndrome.

 

i did not say bush is to blame and i belive it was handeled very badly by kerry as he should have stoped them rather than standing there with a stupid smile on his face.

 

i didnt say you blamed bush. the editorial blamed bush and that's what i'm laughing at.

 

editorial can say anything and it should be supported.especialy political as long as long as it is not prohibited by law

 

nope, every job has a code of ethics or guidelines. if he broke them and the university wants to punish him, its within their rights. if they don't want to, that's fine to. but its' not a free speech issue.

law doesnt come into play. if the editor knew the guidelines of the paper (say, no cursing or f-bombs) and he broke them, he can be punished. pretty much end of story right there.

 

free speech, when it's Bush or Generals.

There's only outrage when it's about a democrat. The mentality of the left. One standard for thee, another standard for everyone else.

 

He was tasered! He should just be thanking Jesus that he's not locked in some rat-infested cell with his genitalia in a vice!

 

that's the usual punishment when one brings up the skull and bones!

 

if it is printed and it is political it has to be protected against all codes and regulations.
no one should be able to have rules that takes away freedom of speech.
only supreme court should be able to limit it and i do not think they have done it.

 

Or on holiday at the vacation resort of Guantanamo Bay, where every suite has an ocean view, with palm trees, recreational activities, halal meals and spiritual support through group religious therapy!

 

there is no outrage here at all we are simply talking about free speech

 

i'm sorry that you don't understand how things work

free speech is not the right to be heard. if he wants to stand on a street corner yelling "f** bush" more power to him.

but, when you are writing in someone else's paper (standing in their yard) you play by their rules.

 

you think some one should go to jail or be tasered because he curses a politisian or the president or god as a matter of fact
kind of like the iranian attitude

 

show me it where it is limited like you say
he had the authority and he used it to start a conversation. this is exactly what we must protect. you see how it works we are all talking about it and belive me bush is not f**ked

 

I'd look up "editorial guidelines" and go from there. I think its ashame this has to be explained to you.

Here are the guidelines for the new york times:

http://www.nytco.com/pdf/NYT_Ethical_Journalism_0904.pdf

 

if you would have told me 10 years ago that there will be republicans and conservetives promoting a bigger govt and disregard for our liberties and freedoms i would not have belived it