Ron Paul on the Academic Bill of Rights

Given that this has been a topic here lately, I thought I'd post a link to Ron Paul's statement on the Congressional floor about the so-called"Academic Bill of Rights." It's short, and ends with this bang:

Instead of fostering open dialogue and wide-raging intellectual inquiry, the main effect of the"Academic Bill of Rights" will be to further stifle debate about controversial topics. This is because many administrators will order their professors not to discuss contentious and divisive subjects, in order to avoid a possible confrontation with the federal government. Those who doubt this should remember that many TV and radio stations minimized political programming in the 1960s and 1970s in order to avoid running afoul of the federal"fairness doctrine."

I am convinced some promoters of the"Academic Bill of Rights" would be perfectly happy if, instead of fostering greater debate, this bill silences discussion of certain topics. Scan the websites of some of the organizations promoting the"Academic Bill of Rights" and you will find calls for silencing critics of the Iraq war and other aspects of American foreign policy.

Mr. Speaker, HR 609 expands federal control over higher education; in particular through an"Academic Bill of Rights" which could further stifle debate and inquiry on America's college campus. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to reject this bill.