Cowards! No that's too nice ... they're two-faced, double-talking cowards

Cross-posted on From Where I Blog

I read with interest some of the comments about the fiasco at the Daily Illini and couldn't believe what I was reading. This is not a conservative versus liberal, Democrat versus Republican issue. Simply stated, those who cannot and will not see that this is an attack on freedom of speech and freedom of expression have blinders on, period.

I was amazed that some of the posts continually placed blame on the two editors which at best is ridiculous and at worst is absurd. This is a clear-cut attempt by the Daily Illini to be politically correct and "not offend" anybody.

The powers-that-be in Champaign offered up a series of questions and answers on the Daily Illini opinion page and in my mind the only thing they accomplished was grovelers trying to save face.
Here's the limp-wristed, double-speak reason given by those in charge at the Daily Illini detailing why Acton Gorton and Chuch Prochaska were suspended.

Q: Why should the editor in chief consult others?

A: It is a time-honored tradition that the editor in chief has the final say on content. However, the position of editor in chief holds great responsibility, and in this instance Gorton did not act responsibly. Something of this magnitude takes careful planning to handle in a sensitive and tactful manner while still getting the point across.


Let's dissect that answer. First, officials say that the editor in chief has "the final say on content." And then in the very next sentence they say that Gorton obviously does not have the final say. The good folks at the Daily Illini are in damage control right now, plain and simple.

This is classic case of talking out of both sides of your mouth.

Rest assued that this has everything to do with appeasing Muslims and nothing to do with the actions of the two suspended editors. They are being used as scapegoats.

Rest assured that all the media outlets small and large that caved in on this issue will face another threat and another ultimatum on another day. Once you start caving in to terrorists the demands and the stakes will continue to grow.

I wrote a column on this topic earlier this week. Here's the link.


Here's the Q & A on the Daily Illini opinion page.

I wonder how some of those that are defending this action will feel when certain groups say that sites like this offend them and they are threatened about offering an opinion. You might think that is far-fetched, but when the most powerful institution in the world that became the most powerful institution because of free speech across the board, drops to its knees like it did on this matter ... we might all be in trouble.

Excuse me now while in an effort to appease my dog, I go outside and scream at the top of my lungs. UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE.