With all the problems facing the great state of Ohio, it is comforting to know that our elected officials have their collective eye on the prize. In its infinite wisdom and foresight, the state Legislature has decided to set aside Ohio's most predominate problems -the poor condition of the state's economy and the ludicrous ban on gay marriage just to name a few -and focus its energy on trying to control the information that is available to the youth.
In a blatant attempt to drastically limit the freedom of expression, which is still protected by the First Amendment last time anyone checked, State Sen. Larry A. Mumper, R-Marion, has introduced a bill aimed at protecting students from being indoctrinated by professors that allegedly try to maliciously undermine the values of their students. After painstakingly trying to understand the inspiration for this proposed legislation, it is quite clear that Mumper has been worshipping at the altar of former U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy for far too long. It is beyond this writer's abilities to accurately convey the twisted logic behind this bill, so I thought I would let Mumper's words make the case.
These are young minds that haven't had a chance to form their own opinions. Our colleges and universities are still filled with some of the '60s and '70s profs that were the anti-American group. They've gotten control of how to give people tenure
and so the colleges continue to move in this direction.
The proposed legislation is a direct contradiction of the very spirit of the principles of higher education. College is supposed to be a haven for the free exchange of viewpoints, a place where America's next leaders can prepare themselves for the realities of the world. Yeah, I know that sounds pretty corny, but it is the truth.
Furthermore, all college students should be insulted by Mumper's claim that we need government protection from possible intellectual arguments that might contain controversial information. At this juncture of college students' lives, they have already chosen a university, a field of study, possibly voted in elections and most likely have already developed political, ideological and religious beliefs. Mumper has underestimated the mental capacity of Ohio's youth or is just scared that his job could be in jeopardy.
Actually, it might come as a shock to most college students, but according to a report by the Pew Research Center, the likelihood of being a Democrat after college is less than being a Republican.
The report says that in the post Sept. 11 world, 32 percent of high school grads consider themselves democrats, and only 29 percent call themselves republicans (peoplepress.org/reports/display.php3?Page ID=750). In contrast, 38 percent of college grads consider themselves Republicans, and only 27 percent deem themselves Democrats. It would be tempting to attribute this increase solely to the shift in the post-Sept. 11 American state of mind, but figures from 1997-2000 show a similar gravitation to the Republican Party. In each selected timeframe, the percentage of high school and college grads that are Democrats has decreased. So much for that alleged liberal indoctrination.
In rare circumstances, professors could theoretically indoctrinate students with their beliefs, but for that small percentage, a law is overkill. This proposed law would be comparable to Bill Murray dropping plastic explosives down holes on a golf course just to kill a single menacing gopher. If a student should take issue with the professor expressing his or her beliefs or think his or her grade was negatively affected because of an opposing viewpoint to that of the professor, each university has a grievance process that students can pursue. Further, it is hard to believe that professors, as a whole, would be so completely devoid of ethics that they would attempt to falsify information just to further their own agendas. Most professors -or any other professionals -would not risk their livelihoods just to push their agendas, except maybe Dan Rather.
Despite the legislation's clever wording, which makes it appear to be a heartfelt attempt to protect those who cannot think for themselves, it is only a means of trying to shut down the marketplace of ideas. Free expression and open exchange is the cornerstone of both American society and higher education. But what do I know -according to Mumper I'm merely an intellectual puppet of the vast liberal conspiracy. Oh, woe is me.
-Dan Rinderle, a junior journalism major and Post editorial writer, encourages all students to demonstrate their intellectual prowess by contacting Sen. Mumper at 614-466-8049 and telling him what they think of his bill. Send Dan an e-mail at daniel.rinderle@ohiou.edu.
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