Politics

[Walter]

As a deterrent to illegal immigration, I'd suggest that anyone apprehended crossing the U.S. border without proper documentation be forced to watch 40 minutes of a Paul Hewitt-coached basketball team.

Supreme Court has already ruled on cruel and unusual punishment. Sorry, not allowed.

 

[Vurbel]

As a deterrent to illegal immigration, I'd suggest that anyone apprehended crossing the U.S. border without proper documentation be forced to watch 40 minutes of a Paul Hewitt-coached basketball team.

Wouldn't that fall under "cruel and unusual punishment"?

Edit: Walter beat me to the "cruel and unusual punishment" line!

 

[Vurbel]

What is the difference? One has to tow the PC line and the other one has free speech?

The difference is the power one position has. Only about 7 people care what the 2.4 student thinks (ok, exaggeration). He doesn't get pages devoted to it on a non-political website. But somebody who is elected does.

Now people can debate one way or the other if appropriate action was taken, but what is not up for debate is whether or not he has the right to say things (he does) or others don't have the right to judge what he says (they do).

 

[Walter]

Did he have an elected position? Or an appointed position?

 

[Vurbel]

Did he have an elected position? Or an appointed position?

I believe elected. Now granted, only .00002% of the student body votes, but still.

 

[Walter]

I believe elected. Now granted, only .00002% of the student body votes, but still.

That is even worse. There should be a recall election. Let the students decide.

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

"Illegal immigration" is not. But calling people "illegals" in a vile and condescending manner is poor judgment at the least. There is a difference between the Joe Schmo the 2.4 undecided major student and a Student Government official.

Wow. It's vile to use all caps now, huh? Guess I better reduce my screen name here.

And guess we better get busy disciplining others for condescension on Twitter then.

Was he addressing a specific person? That MAY be different.

Want a good way for me to discontinue supporting Mason? This is a better one than a few bad years on the basketball court.

 

[Walter]

Storm responds

http://gmufourthestate.com/2015/02/...removes-undersecretary-of-dining-over-tweets/

 

[Saul Pewitt]

That is even worse. There should be a recall election. Let the students decide.

I don't think the University should ever fire anyone for their free expression of opinions.

Or for their coaching record.

 

[TwoFootTackle]

N-word is protected speech too. I don't use it but the government can't tell others to not use it.

True, but if you agree to not use terms like that as a condition of membership to an organization like student government, then student government can still sever ties with you.

 

[phoenix-arizona]

You should be able to say in the college sphere what you would say in public sphere. But understand that you are held to a higher standard if you are in a position of responsibility and power

 

[Walter]

You should be able to say in the college sphere what you would say in public sphere. But understanding that you are held to a higher standard if you are in a position of responsibility and power

Higher standard or politically correct standard?

 

[Cool Disco Dan]

Did he have an elected position? Or an appointed position?

Can we discuss that there is actually a SG position titled the "Executive Undersecretary for University Services for Dining Services"?

And we expect this individual to be a a refined communicator?

I couldn't care less (ding!) what my UnderSecretary of Dining has to say, so long as he looks like this:

 

[Walter]

I heard Hewitt called President Cabrera an illegal and said Brad Edwards was up to some monkey business.

 

[Saul Pewitt]

That never happened!

 

[phoenix-arizona]

Higher standard or politically correct standard?

Full disclosure. I teach at a community college. I am also a full on democratic, liberal, feminist, progressive who doesn't see anything wrong by and large with PC or diversity.

I should have the right to get in front of my class and say that feminism is evil. However, I should expect to be called out and able to support my ideas. I should also be expected to give full allowance for the other side to speak their minds.

Students should able to say what they want, discuss what they want, protest and march for what they want. If you want to go march for the Klan on campus and hang a Nazi flag in your dorm room, go for it. Just know that you can't incite violence and know that you might be shunned and not invited to the good parties.

I understand that there is some tension:

Students deserve to be in a place where they feel safe and comfortable (a safe and comfortable learning environment). At the same time, students have a right to learn about, talk about, explore, reject, embrace, possibly uncomfortable and unpopular ideas.

In the end, while I agree that words can hurt (me going up to a gay student and calling him a faggot is hurtful certainly) words don't hurt in the same way that physical violence hurts, and we shouldn't treat them in the exact same way.

 

[phoenix-arizona]

Fittingly, we were discussing this subject of college free speech in class this week. Penn and Teller did an episode on the subject:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9aLOr8wSgA

 

[CHRISTOPHER JAMES JOLLAY]

I think it is obviously time to test out whether "illegal immigrant" is a slur or not.

If only there was some venue I could attend that says slurs will result in ejection.

 

[Walter]

Do it Jollay

 

[GSII]

Hewitt is illegal. And an alien.