YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T EVEN SAY SHAVING CREAM. Marquette Warrior notes that Foundation for Individual Rights in Education staff have sent a strongly worded letter to Marquette's administration.

Even by the most conservative standards, the Barry quote cannot be suitably described as “patently offensive,” as South described it in his e-mail. Ditsler did not post obscene photos or even lewd commentary on his office door, but a popular author’s political witticism. The quote expressed a negative view of the government, which could possibly offend the sensibilities of those who are sympathetic to the government, but which was not “patently offensive” to any and all passers-by. If Marquette is to classify all ideological speech as “patently offensive,” then there will be precious little that students and faculty are allowed to discuss. Marquette’s policies have been sculpted to include protections for academic freedom because a policy of open inquiry and discussion best fits the vision of higher education that Marquette wishes to uphold. Those standards are even more important in a philosophy department, where the search for truth should not stop at the faintest cry of “offense.” Ideological political expression is at the heart of free speech and academic freedom, and if it is not protected, then Marquette’s commitments to expressive rights ring hollow.

We are aware that Marquette takes very seriously its values as a Jesuit institution. We also believe that it takes seriously its role as an educational institution and as a leader in academic excellence. These mandates need not and should not be at odds. We ask that you reconsider the decision to remove the Dave Barry quote from Stuart Ditsler’s office door, and that you clarify Marquette’s position on free expression and academic freedom. We request a response by October 11, 2006.

The university has not yet responded. But rather than impose a blockade or unleash a nuke, the folks at The Torch have discovered a more effective weapon. Hey, Marquette administrators: they're all going to laugh at you!

So it is that I invite you join me saluting the heroic Anti-Dave Freedom Fighters of Marquette University, who struck a major blow for our cause recently when they demanded that a grad student in the philosophy department remove a "patently offensive" Barry quote that was posted on his office door. Ordinarily this is a family-friendly blog (provided you are a member of the Manson Family) but for you to understand the magnitude of Dave's offensiveness, I'm going to have to reprint his repugnant words here.

Read the rest.

And now friends, my posting is ended
I think it is time I should quit.
If any of you feel offended,
Stick your head in a barrel of...