Political correctness: The new American Tyrany

By Allen J Duffis
Published: November 24, 2004

     For the average American citizen in these emotionally trying and stressful times, 'Socially Imposed Terror' can be far more a likely threat, and likelihood, than outright foreign originated terrorism. And incredible as it may seem, this new domestic terror product is 'home grown'.

     For what recourse do you have when that threat evolves from the actions of a public institution? And how do you defend yourself, as an American, when radically Evolved and ritualistically imposed Social Programs challenge your Constitutional rights?

     Well this is exactly the predicament a victim of the Politically Correct Movement will often find themselves in. Under the current administrative rule of this American social environment, recourse to this injustice is becoming increasingly difficult to come by. And please note I did state 'victim'.

     As an example of this sort of tyranny I put forth the case of Timothy Garneau, a 20-year-old student at the University of New Hampshire. His 'Politically Correct' horror story was detailed in an article printed in the November 4^th issue of the Manchester Union Leader. For Mr. Garneau, the scenario of the 'Democracy Gone Wrong Nightmare' began on September 3rd of this year.

     Garneau, a political science major, authored and posted fliers in his university dormitory stating the following: "9 out of 10 freshman girls gain 10 to 15 pounds. But there is something you can do about it. If you live below the 6^th floor take the stairs. Not only will you feel better about yourself, but you will also be saving us time and won't be sore on the eyes".

     That's right, this one simple act is all it took to get him bounced by the university from his dormitory. He was immediately reduced to, alternately, living out of his 1994 Ford Contour and imposing upon the hospitality of friends.

     Garneau protested that the fliers were meant to make a point in a joking way. He resided on the seventh floor of the dorm, and felt that students taking the elevator one or two floors were causing waits as long as 10 minutes. Unfortunately for Mr. Garneau, that's not the view the University of New Hampshire took of his actions.

     The Politically Correct punitive might of the University, via Ms. Esther Tardy Wolfe, the director of the UNH's Judicial & Mediation Programs Office (they have an entire office set up for this sort of occurrence), came down with oppressive brutality upon the head of this one student. Garneau was initially charged with the following: harassment, disorderly conduct, violation of affirmative action policies and lying. And I can only assume that the charge of lying indicated that they didn't believe his explanation of his motives.

     At this juncture, I must interject with a few important questions. At what point in time was the First Amendment of the Constitution, the Right to Free Speech, cancelled? Where were we all when this deletion took place? And when was the University of New Hampshire appointed to the position of arbiter of whatever replaced it?

     In any case, it would appear that Mr. Garneau appealed his case, first to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), a nonprofit organization that protects free speech at colleges and universities. And through their auspices appealed his case directly to the University of New Hampshire.

     It would appear that UNH denied his first appeal, then later about-faced and decided to drop all charges except that of lying. They did however inform him that he would be eligible for campus housing: if that is he didn't challenge the university's finding.

     Then to add insult to injury, the Politically Correct UNH administrative clique felt compelled to go one step further. They imposed sanctions upon Garneau to run through May of 2006, which includes a mandatory ethics meeting with a judicial office official, counseling, and a 3000-word reflection essay.

     Through the services of FIRE, Garneau did appeal UNH's decision that found him responsible for lying. In a bitter retreat, the university finally acquiesced, notifying him that they still considered him to be guilty of lying, but that he could move back on to the campus, and did not have to write an essay or attend counseling.

      "This is certainly a victory for students rights", stated Greg Lukianoff, FIRE's director of legal and public advocacy. "We started with a case where a student was living out of his car for posting a flier, and in the end he can move back into a dorm".

     Well I'm sorry, Mr. Lukianoff, but there's a hell of a lot more at stake here than just a momentary victory. Think about it guy - they, the university, can do it again. And more importantly, they have sent a 'rights curdling' message to anyone thinking of expressing their right of free speech and expression in an unapproved, politically incorrect fashion. In essence the message is loud and clear: "Dare you not, for remember what happened to Timothy Garneau".

     I for one would never stand for such an outcome to be held up as a victory. I would, however, accept it as the opening salvo of a long battle back to political sanity; one that starts with the banning of the Politically Correct Movement, on both college and university campuses. And I make particular reference to the institutions that are partially or wholly supported by state or federal funding.

     To the UNH administrative staff, and any fools among the citizenry who may be tempted to believe neo liberal arguments to the contrary, I would like to make the following absolutely clear: America, though still a work in progress, is the magnificent country that it is because we celebrate our differences. And that celebration has many time proven outlets. Humor happens to be one of them.

     Yes, Timothy Garneau's manner of expression may have been questionable in some small respect. But most certainly his actions did not warrant the university's reaction, to the extent to which he was persecuted and prosecuted. And especially so by those in the academic community, who should know better. At best, his verbal tirade called for no more than a smile and an administrative admonishment.

     America is not the Russian Gulag under Stalin. We do not send people to 'reeducation camps' when they express personal opinions in non-state approved fashion. We don't force them to write self-deprecating essays to profess guilt, as the astronomer Galileo was forced to do under the medieval Catholic Church. We don't make them submit to grueling 'counseling' sessions until they admit the error of their ways. In short, we live in a democracy, not an Orwellian state where Mind Control is the rule of the day.

     In fact, if you haven't already noticed, UNH people, America has no state approved or sanctioned format for individual expression. What we have is the right to free speech, guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. And nowhere in that sacred document does it make any reference to limiting said right to the Politically Correct.

     In my freely elected opinion, Timothy Garneau should procure the services of a good lawyer, and sue all of the neo Liberal members of the UNH administrative staff that put him through this unnecessary hell. And if need be I, and many other free thinking like-minded people, would be more than willing to contribute to his legal costs.