Let me express my deepest apologies for not updating this site in so long, but I have been both busy and have not had much to motivate me as far as topics that have not already been overdone by the media.

Normally, I try to keep my posts educational and calm in tone, but I must take a stand against this abuse of the First Amendment by so-called journalists at Colorado State University. In case you have not heard, the editorial staff of CSU’s newspaper The Rocky Mountain Collegian posted an editorial that can only be described as sick and childish. The editorial said the following, “Taser this… (expletive deleted) BUSH. This column represents the views of the Collegian’s editorial board.”

You can see the “column” by clicking here. WARNING!: CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE.

I do not think that the founders intended the First Amendment to be a vehicle for all of us to drop the F-bomb any time we want, and especially against the president. I can not recall any time I ever heard of anyone on the right or left saying “F–k Clinton” (except for perhaps the female White House interns, or Barney Frank). The staff of the paper clearly used the First Amendment irresponsibly and though the paper is protected by the First Amendment, the students should be punished by the university, as this piece could be considered hate speech (why not use a liberal buzz word to your advantage).

This incident is just the latest in a series of college students gone wild. We have had the pie throwing incidents against speakers, like Ann Coulter, the student activist shutdown of the Minutemen leader at Columbia University, and the recent shocker out of Florida (pun intended, but don’t taze me, bro). The fact that these students are wasting valuable study time to go out and do these stupid things gives a whole new meaning to the saying “C’s get degrees.” With radical professors and their little radicals-in-training running around, it is no wonder why higher education in America has such a black eye.

It is somewhat sad though, as these poor self-absorbed and spoiled students actually think that they matter enough to go out and change the world and that people will care about what they have to say. As a former student who has lost common sense, since I am now in graduate school, I can tell you that most adults do not care about what you have to say. Most people older than me probably do not care about what I have to say. This is because you are young and do not have the life experience to back up your beliefs, but I digress.

This editorial is particularly disturbing to me for two reasons, one is that I have experience writing for a campus newspaper, and two that some of these people may go on to be professional journalists, though in their case, I use professional very loosely. The “article” is simply a piece of liberal garbage put out by a group of Dan Rather wannabes that have less tact than even Keith Olbermann. The letter from the editor-in-chief (who apparently forgot to edit out the foul language) is truly humorous. J. David McSwane, the brilliant mind who allowed this garbage to go to press began his letter to the campus as follows:

On Friday, September 21, the The Rocky Mountain Collegian editorial board printed a statement bashing President Bush in its Opinion section in an effort to highlight the importance of free speech on a college campus. In doing so, the editorial board and I realized the statement was controversial and unpopular among some students and community members.

First of all David, “bashing” is putting lightly the language you used against our president. The printing of the statement “in an effort to highlight the importance of free speech on a college campus” is quite ludicrous, as there are many more effective and mature ways to highlight the importance of free speech. The realization of the controversial nature of the piece is equally amusing because we all know that bashing a person with the F-bomb is just such an appropriate thing to do in most circumstances.

McSwane’s letter continues:

This letter should serve as an explanation to readers who were offended and upset by the editorial statement. While the editorial board feels strongly with regard to first amendment issues, we have found the unintended consequences of such a bold statement to be extremely disheartening.

So far your explanation is not holding water, but the fact that you find the “unintended consequences … extremely disheartening” is really sad. What were you expecting, the entire campus to cheer you on and chant “F–k Bush” alongside you? Your feeling strongly about First Amendment (note that McSwane does not capitalize it) does not really apply to your piece, as there comes responsibility with those rights (you can’t run into a crowded theater and yell Fire).

As a student-run publication with a proud 116-year tradition of serving Colorado State University Students and the surrounding communities, it is our responsibility to uphold the standards set by my predecessors. We intend to continue this tradition.

Well, your “116-year tradition” just flew out the window. Further, I highly doubt you are adhering to your responsibility above by printing such filth in your paper. The intention to continue in the tradition of the paper can not happen, since the tradition has been destroyed by the current staff. One only hopes that McSwane and company do not use this to start the new tradition of bashing Republican politicians.

As local and national media will inevitably jump on this controversy, I strongly urge the university community to try and understand that the intentions of the students on staff, including me, were not to cause harm, but rather to reinforce the importance of free speech at our great institution. My staff and I are extremely proud to be CSU students and members of this amazing community, and it is my sincere hope that our readers understand our intentions were not malicious.

No, of course you did not intend to cause harm or be malicious, you just tied one of the most vile words in the English language to our president, but I guess we were supposed to take it as a joke (I am still waiting for the punch line). Again with the First Amendment, the staff abused it with this garbage. So the staff are proud to be CSU students. Then why did you print something that you know will drag the institution that you are so proud of through the mud?

The First Amendment is at the very core of what we do as a newspaper. We as journalists wish to celebrate it, utilize it and, sometimes, defend it. The Collegian editorial board, a group of seven student editors charged with determining a staff editorial for each issue, voted to run the editorial statement. This vote was a split vote, but the board as a whole as agreed to stand behind this decision and to continue the Collegian tradition.

The harping on the First Amendment is only giving me more ammunition to use against you. Calling yourselves journalists is amusing, since this piece proves you have little in the way of journalistic skills, and attempting to say you defend it is just foolish, as it is the military who defends our rights not you. Since the letter mentions the vote as being split, the statement in the op-ed of the piece being the views of the editorial board is a lie, as those who voted against it may not hold those views.

Overall, McSwane’s attempt to rectify the situation with this letter only digs his hole deeper. I submit the following suggestions with regard to this situation. To Mr. McSwane and the editorial board of the Collegian, resign and grow up before you try another stint in journalism. Perhaps, some liberal media outlet will take you on, as I am sure they are looking to find the next Liberal Idol to report Democratic Party talking points, or just flat make up stories to attack conservatives. All parties involved, from the staff of the Collegian to the president of CSU should issue formal written apologies to President and Mrs. Bush for using such horrible language in connection with their name.

If you would like to send a message regarding the abusive op-ed, here are some email contacts:

J. David McSwane-Editor-in-Chief (editor@collegian.com)
CSU President Larry Edward Penley-read his statement here (presofc@lamar.colostate.edu)