At U of O, BS Doesn't Stand for "Bachelor of Science"

Right On! to Kevin McCullough via Zelda, guest Blogging at Ace of Spades HQ.

As you may see from all the Inauguration day activities, The University of Oregon is one of the more liberal schools in the country. But this takes the cake. According to a news report from KEZI, a University employee was forced recently to remove a "Support the Troops" magnet from his truck.

According to the report and also confirmed by Zelda, at question is whether or not the magnet constitutes a political statement (the truck is state property). The U of O decided it does, or might, and hence has ordered it removed.

So, expressing support for the men and women who defend our freedom is a mere political statement, huh? That's nice. Regardless of your views on the current war, the fact is, we all owe a HELL of a lot to those who wear that uniform. In fact, the freedoms expressed by MANY on the U of O campus recently when they protested the inauguration? THOSE freedoms were purchased in blood by wearers of those selfsame uniforms. A simple yellow ribbon that expresses gratitude, honor, and a desire for the safety of those troops, that's patriotism, not politics.

What next, banning American Flags?

UPDATE:
Now the BS is a PHD (Piled Higher and Deeper)

Cross Posted at Memento Moron
Apparently, the whole issue has blown up in the U of O's face, and it's not going away. According to a KEZI report, the school has been inundated with letters, emails, and phone calls. Their rationale is that "truth is, they're only against the ribbons (or anything for that matter) being displayed on state-owned vehicles (which is state policy)."

But as Kevin McCullough points out, that wasn't the original tune that was being sung by the President's office. In the original KEZI report, the rationale was, "Under state law... public employees can not use state resources to spread political messages." The U of O rationalized that the stickers were political. You can read my post at HWTR for my response to that.

Apparently, along with the public firestorm, a personal protest occurred. An anonymous U of O employee tied yellow ribbons up around Frohnmayer's offices. KEZI reported that the U of O would let them stand, but McCullough was contacted by the employee, who confirms that the ribbons have been removed.

This really saddens me. Since when was an appreciation for the sacrifices of those who defend our freedom a mere political statement? Furthermore, even if it WERE a political statement, McCullough mentions the UO employee pointing out the numerous bits of pro-Kerry paraphernalia allowed to be displayed on University property. Is it assumed that any yellow ribbon must be a sign of a certain unpopular political position? And if so, are they being selective in their enforcement of this policy? Or was the conservative UO student recently shown on thew school paper wrong when she holds a sign saying "Free Speech Isn't Just For Liberals"?

I've been a UO Ducks fan for a very long time, but I'm not sure I can be any more. I'm not sure I can proudly display my U of O beanie, or the shirt I bought when my late father and I watched them win the Holiday Bowl, if they cannot proudly display their support for our troops. If they decide a yellow ribbon and a yellow O can't coexist, I know which I must choose.