It just depends on whose ox is being gored.
From the president’s tweets last week, he took offense at Saturday Night Live again…as well as the other late night comedy shows…because they were making fun of him…just like they have done with every other president since late night TV was invented. SNL in particular has teased every sitting president since they came on the air.
But with the false claims against colleges and universities not providing free speech forums…he is searching for is executive order sharpie pen to threaten those institutions with loss of federal research grants if they fail to protect free speech. Something they are already required to do…but lets not let facts get in the way of a good narrative.
Under the order, colleges that receive research grants from federal agencies would be required to agree to uphold free speech policies. The order also would apply to certain education grants but not to federal financial aid that covers tuition and fees for students.
For public universities, officials would have to agree that they follow the First Amendment, which already applies to them. Private universities, which have more flexibility in limiting speech, would be required to commit to their own institutional policies.emphasis mine
How the federal government would enforce the order has yet to be seen. White House officials said implementation details will be finalized in the coming months, noting that enforcement will be carried out by the Office of Management and Budget and individual research agencies.
Part of the impetus comes from conservatives who claim their voices are being stifled on college campuses. Yet let’s note that they all seem to have made it through college with their conservative credentials intact.
BTW: for those of you curious about local schools: the Young Republicans at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee are hosting a speech by Dinesh D’Souza on March 27th at 7:00 PM in Bolton Hall.
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