Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

EDITORIAL: Bush slam a bad idea
Staff Editorial
Daily Targum (Rutgers)
09/26/2007

(U-WIRE) NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — The Rocky Mountain Collegian printed a headline on Sept. 21 that caused more than just a harmless controversy for Colorado State University. Editor-in-chief, David McSwane, is still suffering the repercussions of his decision to run a column, titled "Taser this: F- Bush," without that little bit of censorship. Days later, the student-operated newspaper has already lost $30,000 in advertising from various local businesses, and student salaries took an immediate 10 percent cut. Arguing his basic right to free speech, McSwane neglected to take into account the fact that President George W. Bush and the Tasering issue are unrelated.

While the purpose of our, and any publications', opinions page is to voice judgments and even sometimes make radical statements, The Collegian took that objective too far. Just because it is a college paper that does not indicate that writers ought to say whatever they can just to get a reaction out of readers. It was clearly a poor decision on the part of the columnist and the editor who approved the use of expletives to reference to our current president. Regardless of personal feelings toward President Bush, his policies or his behavior, being that he is our president, he should be afforded at least some modicum of respect.

As for those opponents of McSwane and his attempt to make a statement, which are calling for his resignation, another issue arises — and that is the one that was intentionally brought to the surface by the editor. No longer is the profane declaration a question of what is appropriate, but rather a reference to our First Amendment rights. McSwane should not, and cannot, be forcibly removed from his position, but the lesson he is suffering through is certainly one he deserves.

Though the words may have been utterly tasteless and added nothing of substance to the column, they were not really a declaration worthy of concern. Historically, the United States has seen some very blatant attempts to publish unworthy material, even pieces that pose a clear and present danger to society. Unlike the federal case brought against Progressive Inc. for an attempt to publish a manual detailing how to build a Hydrogen bomb, this small issue does not have the potential to turn into a significant threat.

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