Now In Cartoon Form . . .

Dr. G. Tod Slone, Founding Editor of the The American Dissident (aka P. Maudit), has sent us this cartoon. (I never realized that I looked so much like Ted Cruz in cartoon form). It is a response to the blog on the “Yield For Sneaker’s Bacon” sign controversy. The cartoon shows, in addition to my need for better fitting suits, that academics make for lousy cartoon characters because we can only speak in 100 word increments. It does contrast the pro-free speech statement with a caution posting about George Washington University’s policies by The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) that I was not aware of.

I have added an enlarged version to be able to read the cartoon better but notes that FIRE criticizes GWU for a computer rule with a rather open-ended standard. FIRE actually lists a number of such policies that are matters of concern. The “yellow” light is clearly not great but it is not quite as bad as other schools. I have actually been critical of some GWU rules, particularly on the loss of due process for our students. However, I am deeply concerned about the reduction of free speech rights on campuses. Indeed, there has been a decline in the value placed on free speech as limits on hate speech, discriminatory speech, and even simply political have been imposed on campuses. The creation of “free speech zones” is the worse manifestation of these new restrictive policies.

I have been periodically lampooned in cartoons and I never come out Popeye buff-like (more Pillsbury dough-like). However, at least the cartoon recommends our blog!