Spring Break
Collegian editor will keep his job
Abstract:
After nearly two weeks unsure that he would keep his job after becoming a national figure of controversy for printing an editorial that said Taser This … F*** BUSH, Collegian Editor in Chief J. David McSwane got a slap on the wrist and will keep his job.
The Board of Student Communications (BSC) presented their decision to the Collegian editorial staff Thursday night after a fact-finding hearing, during which the BSC asked the editors questions about why they decided to print the editorial and whether they still thought it was the right thing to do....
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alum1
posted 10/05/07 @ 12:45 AM MST
Funny.... I distinctly remember McSwane saying this editorial was not to make a political point towards Bush, but to get people talking about free speech.... oh but wait it was political and he is hiding behind the 1st amendment even though he was told the manner in which he did this was unethical and unprofessional. Guess we should all get away with unethical behaviors in our job now cool!
Originally posted bySisyphus39
Hallelujah!
Good to keep a courageous editor! Good to keep the dialog alive!
Good to keep the reason for the editorial in the discussion, too.
It's not "the F word" that is so horrible, but the idea that it takes something like that editorial to get attention to the problem of the president turning our great American experiment into a dictatorship! The mainstream media won't do it, but a college newspaper had the guts to do it! That shows professionalism and ethics. Milksop sycophancy and marginalization of dissent is neither professional nor ethical.
Go! McSwane! You stuck your neck out and you took the consequences!
Being an editor is not a picnic, but it does have its rewards!
Keep on pushing for dialogue!
You wouldn't believe how closely I've watched for this decision. The right decision was made at last.
I'll sleep better tonight!
Kelly Walters
posted 10/05/07 @ 3:08 AM MST
Victor T? Is this you?
I complete agree. Finally a little debate on a college campus. What took so long? This twice unelected fascist dictator has managed to fly under the radar with our silent complicit endorsement. In future textbooks, students will ask why the American people allowed this to happen. Why did the good people of Germany allow Hitler to do the things he did? Hitler flouridated the municipal water supply (#1 ingredient in prozac) to promote complacency, and he sold fear and terror via the Reichstag fire (the original Pearl Harbor, Gulf of Tonkin and 9/11). With the Reichstag fire, Hitler provided the future King of America a road map via the German Emergency Decree. The Emergency Decree stated: "Restrictions on personal liberty, on the right of free expression of opinion, including freedom of the press; on the rights of assembly and association; and violations of the privacy of postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications and warrants for house searches, orders for confiscations as well as restrictions on property, are also permissible beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed."
SO....Go McSwane! I applaud your courage and guts. Apparently, no one else has any....
I complete agree. Finally a little debate on a college campus. What took so long? This twice unelected fascist dictator has managed to fly under the radar with our silent complicit endorsement. In future textbooks, students will ask why the American people allowed this to happen. Why did the good people of Germany allow Hitler to do the things he did? Hitler flouridated the municipal water supply (#1 ingredient in prozac) to promote complacency, and he sold fear and terror via the Reichstag fire (the original Pearl Harbor, Gulf of Tonkin and 9/11). With the Reichstag fire, Hitler provided the future King of America a road map via the German Emergency Decree. The Emergency Decree stated: "Restrictions on personal liberty, on the right of free expression of opinion, including freedom of the press; on the rights of assembly and association; and violations of the privacy of postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications and warrants for house searches, orders for confiscations as well as restrictions on property, are also permissible beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed."
SO....Go McSwane! I applaud your courage and guts. Apparently, no one else has any....
Originally posted bySisyphus39
Hallelujah!
Good to keep a courageous editor! Good to keep the dialog alive!
Good to keep the reason for the editorial in the discussion, too.
It's not "the F word" that is so horrible, but the idea that it takes something like that editorial to get attention to the problem of the president turning our great American experiment into a dictatorship! The mainstream media won't do it, but a college newspaper had the guts to do it! That shows professionalism and ethics. Milksop sycophancy and marginalization of dissent is neither professional nor ethical.
Go! McSwane! You stuck your neck out and you took the consequences!
Being an editor is not a picnic, but it does have its rewards!
Keep on pushing for dialogue!
You wouldn't believe how closely I've watched for this decision. The right decision was made at last.
I'll sleep better tonight!
Have you read the 1st Amendment?
posted 10/05/07 @ 7:42 AM MST
Have you read the first amendment? Hopefully David has realized that his first amendment right WAS protected when the government failed to shut down the paper. As a company that brings in revenue though, the Collegian has the right to remove him as editor. That has nothing to do with the first amendment as he, and so many others, so vehemently believe.
If you read it, and some of the court decisions based on it, you would see that free speech is protected from government censorship. This was not about such interference. This was about a private company deciding on how to handle the misbehavior of an employee.
If you read it, and some of the court decisions based on it, you would see that free speech is protected from government censorship. This was not about such interference. This was about a private company deciding on how to handle the misbehavior of an employee.
Originally posted bySisyphus39
Hallelujah!
Good to keep a courageous editor! Good to keep the dialog alive!
Matt
posted 10/05/07 @ 7:43 AM MST
No courage is involved in printing anything is the US. We all have the freedom and press and we all know it. There is nothing to challenge about that. If McSwane was to start a news paper in Iran and print 'F*** Ahmadinejad', I would say he was courageous. To print 'F*** Bush' in the US is no more courageous than voting, buying a gun, having a fair trail, or exercising any other right that has been granted to us.
Originally posted bySisyphus39
Hallelujah!
Good to keep a courageous editor! Good to keep the dialog alive!
Good to keep the reason for the editorial in the discussion, too.
It's not "the F word" that is so horrible, but the idea that it takes something like that editorial to get attention to the problem of the president turning our great American experiment into a dictatorship! The mainstream media won't do it, but a college newspaper had the guts to do it! That shows professionalism and ethics. Milksop sycophancy and marginalization of dissent is neither professional nor ethical.
Go! McSwane! You stuck your neck out and you took the consequences!
Being an editor is not a picnic, but it does have its rewards!
Keep on pushing for dialogue!
You wouldn't believe how closely I've watched for this decision. The right decision was made at last.
I'll sleep better tonight!
Brian
posted 10/05/07 @ 9:20 AM MST
You are exactly correct. Firing him would not have been in violation of his rights. There is no free speech issue here. Simply a selfish kid who wanted attention, and in an effort to get it compromised the finances of the paper and possibly the school
Originally posted bySisyphus39
Hallelujah!
Good to keep a courageous editor! Good to keep the dialog alive!
Good to keep the reason for the editorial in the discussion, too.
It's not "the F word" that is so horrible, but the idea that it takes something like that editorial to get attention to the problem of the president turning our great American experiment into a dictatorship! The mainstream media won't do it, but a college newspaper had the guts to do it! That shows professionalism and ethics. Milksop sycophancy and marginalization of dissent is neither professional nor ethical.
Go! McSwane! You stuck your neck out and you took the consequences!
Being an editor is not a picnic, but it does have its rewards!
Keep on pushing for dialogue!
You wouldn't believe how closely I've watched for this decision. The right decision was made at last.
I'll sleep better tonight!
Patrick
posted 10/08/07 @ 1:47 AM MST
Originally posted byYou will sleep better tonight because someone used the "F" word?Sisyphus39
Hallelujah!
Good to keep a courageous editor! Good to keep the dialog alive!
Good to keep the reason for the editorial in the discussion, too.
It's not "the F word" that is so horrible, but the idea that it takes something like that editorial to get attention to the problem of the president turning our great American experiment into a dictatorship! The mainstream media won't do it, but a college newspaper had the guts to do it! That shows professionalism and ethics. Milksop sycophancy and marginalization of dissent is neither professional nor ethical.
Go! McSwane! You stuck your neck out and you took the consequences!
Being an editor is not a picnic, but it does have its rewards!
Keep on pushing for dialogue!
You wouldn't believe how closely I've watched for this decision. The right decision was made at last.
I'll sleep better tonight!
I'd hate to see what you would do if he used the "N" word!
T Brannon
posted 10/05/07 @ 12:40 AM MST
"His journalistic and leadership abilities are out of this world and I think the paper would have gone down in quality a couple notches," McDonald said.
Sorry. The paper did go down a couple of notches in quality for printing the editorial. It appears that the Collegian will continue to go down.
That is your choice of course. I truly hope all pulled advertising remains pulled so everyone knows the results of this decision. Please don't think the job is safe. Remember, it took CBS a year after Dan Rathers mistake to fire him.
I also challenge the paper to write a story at the end of the spring semester and again one year from now to identify any long lasting issues from this one editorial.
Sorry. The paper did go down a couple of notches in quality for printing the editorial. It appears that the Collegian will continue to go down.
That is your choice of course. I truly hope all pulled advertising remains pulled so everyone knows the results of this decision. Please don't think the job is safe. Remember, it took CBS a year after Dan Rathers mistake to fire him.
I also challenge the paper to write a story at the end of the spring semester and again one year from now to identify any long lasting issues from this one editorial.
James Lee
posted 10/05/07 @ 3:59 AM MST
The United States Constitution: protecting morons since day 1!
Mia Hart
posted 10/05/07 @ 5:29 AM MST
This is one low bar we've got to slither under. What to do...what next? Where do we go from here????You set the standard. You defined a matter of law.
I could be more offended with the "c" word, or "F" Jesus. But that's about it.
You just gave McSwane's McIdiots the ok to make those headlines.
I could be more offended with the "c" word, or "F" Jesus. But that's about it.
You just gave McSwane's McIdiots the ok to make those headlines.
La Folie
posted 10/05/07 @ 6:54 AM MST
The board should have canned his punk ass. Now they are are league with McFly and look how he hoodwinked them. The board needed to grow a set and failed. What a bunch of spineless wussies.
Dan
posted 10/05/07 @ 7:26 AM MST
Great, they didn't have the courage to stand up to him. It's not just about the F-word. It's not just about bashing the president. It's why he did it, and that "promoting free speech" is stupid. Free speech is a blanket for liberals to hide under and do whatever they want.
Sadly, free speech does not apply to everyone, especially white male republicans. Would "F*** Hillary" be okay? How about "F*** Obama". That is free speech, right? Would Mr. McSwane stand up for my first amendment rights to publish those things in huge letters? I doubt it. It's pure conditional hypocrisy.
There are lots of amendments to the constitution. Why is the 1st amendment sacred and the rest we can do without? It's because they are selective of what rights they chose.
Just because someone is legally protected under the first amendment, doesn't mean they can't lose their job for demonstrating incompetence. Failure to do so has enforced my belief that there is no hope for the collegian.
Sadly, free speech does not apply to everyone, especially white male republicans. Would "F*** Hillary" be okay? How about "F*** Obama". That is free speech, right? Would Mr. McSwane stand up for my first amendment rights to publish those things in huge letters? I doubt it. It's pure conditional hypocrisy.
There are lots of amendments to the constitution. Why is the 1st amendment sacred and the rest we can do without? It's because they are selective of what rights they chose.
Just because someone is legally protected under the first amendment, doesn't mean they can't lose their job for demonstrating incompetence. Failure to do so has enforced my belief that there is no hope for the collegian.
Duff
posted 10/05/07 @ 12:13 PM MST
Originally posted byDan
Free speech is a blanket for liberals to hide under and do whatever they want.
Sadly, free speech does not apply to everyone, especially white male republicans. Would "F*** Hillary" be okay? How about "F*** Obama". That is free speech, right? Would Mr. McSwane stand up for my first amendment rights to publish those things in huge letters? I doubt it. It's pure conditional hypocrisy.
Free speech does indeed apply to white male republicans, however, i feel the problem is that they say brazen things more often than democrats. When they are openly criticized, they have the same sentiments as you. The fact that a liberal paper is being criticized by the community and part of the mainstream media actually refutes your argument.
This ruling isn't supporting the idea that it's "OK" to say F-Bush, rather, it's saying that you're entitled to publish and speak freely without being directly punished by Big Brother. That doesn't mean that the paper won't suffer. The Collegian will now have to repair it's image and gin up advertisers to keep the paper going. You would never see FOX, CNN, or the NY TIMES say "F" someone because it's unprofessional and they know what to do in order to walk the line of journalistic integrity. They stretch things, but usually not too, too far. This ruling, amongst others, supports the idea that they have the right to do so at their own expense.
Rachel
posted 10/06/07 @ 8:45 AM MST
Originally posted byDan
Great, they didn't have the courage to stand up to him. It's not just about the F-word. It's not just about bashing the president. It's why he did it, and that "promoting free speech" is stupid. Free speech is a blanket for liberals to hide under and do whatever they want.
Sadly, free speech does not apply to everyone, especially white male republicans. Would "F*** Hillary" be okay? How about "F*** Obama". That is free speech, right? Would Mr. McSwane stand up for my first amendment rights to publish those things in huge letters? I doubt it. It's pure conditional hypocrisy.
There are lots of amendments to the constitution. Why is the 1st amendment sacred and the rest we can do without? It's because they are selective of what rights they chose.
Just because someone is legally protected under the first amendment, doesn't mean they can't lose their job for demonstrating incompetence. Failure to do so has enforced my belief that there is no hope for the collegian.
"A blanket for liberals to hid under and do whatever they want?" Whoa there Stalin.. take it easy. Must have been some crazy liberals that founded our country eh? What madmen.. to make that the first and most important ammendment! How dare they! And boy, it is really sad that male white republicans feel uncomfortable publishing "f*** Hillary or Obama" I mean, we all know how long male white republicans have been oppressed in this world.
Brian J.
posted 10/05/07 @ 7:37 AM MST
I hope that David basks in this decision as this will most likely be the last paid position in journalism this guy ever has. Immaturity, poor decision-making, juvenile behavior, use of sophomoric language and poor grammar are not exactly the qualities for which most even the most militant left employers are seeking.
Will this controversial article be placed at the top of his portfolio when he seeks out his first position, no longer snugly protected by the university's womb? I am confident that he will be too gutless to do so.
Fortunately, there are always jobs for minimum wage earners who make crude novelty t-shirts and bumper stickers.
Will this controversial article be placed at the top of his portfolio when he seeks out his first position, no longer snugly protected by the university's womb? I am confident that he will be too gutless to do so.
Fortunately, there are always jobs for minimum wage earners who make crude novelty t-shirts and bumper stickers.
Scavok
posted 10/05/07 @ 10:20 AM MST
Originally posted byBrian J.
Will this controversial article be placed at the top of his portfolio when he seeks out his first position, no longer snugly protected by the university's womb? I am confident that he will be too gutless to do so.
No, I imagine the Peabody award he won before ever coming to CSU will be at the top of the resume. This incident will make a nice number two. He has got a pretty big future ahead of him as long as he doesn't wimp out under the pressure of people like you.
Dan
posted 10/05/07 @ 10:46 AM MST
Originally posted byBrian J.
I hope that David basks in this decision as this will most likely be the last paid position in journalism this guy ever has. Immaturity, poor decision-making, juvenile behavior, use of sophomoric language and poor grammar are not exactly the qualities for which most even the most militant left employers are seeking.
Will this controversial article be placed at the top of his portfolio when he seeks out his first position, no longer snugly protected by the university's womb? I am confident that he will be too gutless to do so.
Fortunately, there are always jobs for minimum wage earners who make crude novelty t-shirts and bumper stickers.
Whatever. Repugnicans keep telling us how "liberal" the media is. He's practically guaranteed a job when he graduates. Gutless? He stepped into the national spotlight, that takes guts. You just don't get it. He proved the point he wanted to make and got students talking about the first amendment. Thank you David McSwane for showing these kids that the first amendment protects all speech, not just nice, polite speech that you agree with.
I know people like to point out the "yelling fire in a theatre" argument, but saying F-Bush did not put anybody's life in danger (except maybe his own). And the argument that "there are consequences for free speech" could be used by the Burmese (or whatever) government thats killing monks for speaking out. I mean, these monks don't HAVE to speak out, they choose to, right? So it's ok to beat and kill them? Think about it.
Donald Hackett
posted 10/05/07 @ 11:56 AM MST
Originally posted byBrian J.
I hope that David basks in this decision as this will most likely be the last paid position in journalism this guy ever has. Immaturity, poor decision-making, juvenile behavior, use of sophomoric language and poor grammar are not exactly the qualities for which most even the most militant left employers are seeking.
Will this controversial article be placed at the top of his portfolio when he seeks out his first position, no longer snugly protected by the university's womb? I am confident that he will be too gutless to do so.
Fortunately, there are always jobs for minimum wage earners who make crude novelty t-shirts and bumper stickers.
He doesn't have a career with me. Any network he works for I wont support, and I hope many follow, this will be my last time posting or reading the Collegian
Todd Klatt
posted 10/05/07 @ 8:00 AM MST
I am glad to see that McSwane is keeping his job. While I think his editorial was cheap, childish and unprofessional this is a victory for the free press.
By allowing him to keep his job the Collegian has not bowed to the pressure of few offended people nor have they traded their free press rights for advertising dollars. A newspaper should never allow their advertisers or the public to dictate their content or their editorial policy.
That being stated. I hope that McSwane will make wiser decisions that are worthy of a college educated journalisit. He clearly is well thought of by his staff and fellow journalists.
By allowing him to keep his job the Collegian has not bowed to the pressure of few offended people nor have they traded their free press rights for advertising dollars. A newspaper should never allow their advertisers or the public to dictate their content or their editorial policy.
That being stated. I hope that McSwane will make wiser decisions that are worthy of a college educated journalisit. He clearly is well thought of by his staff and fellow journalists.
Gage Lane
posted 10/05/07 @ 8:12 AM MST
GREAT JOB BSC!
I am a local business owner and am happy that the BSC stood behind the paper.
Now let's move forward. :)
I am a local business owner and am happy that the BSC stood behind the paper.
Now let's move forward. :)
Becky
posted 10/05/07 @ 5:29 PM MST
Originally posted byGage Lane
GREAT JOB BSC!
I am a local business owner and am happy that the BSC stood behind the paper.
Now let's move forward. :)
If you could support them with your advertising dollars, that could help, too.
Davids
posted 10/05/07 @ 8:16 AM MST
Actually, I think the board's finding is a truly illuminating outcome.
"unethical and unprofessional" - but, still in charge, and crowing about the board's endorsement, thinly camoflauged as an admonition.
A happy little nest of like-minded lickspittles and bootlickers, marching together in liberal lockstep, wrapped in the flag of the fourth-estate, pretending to be "free speech" journalists, rather than the propagandists that they truly are.
"unethical and unprofessional" - but, still in charge, and crowing about the board's endorsement, thinly camoflauged as an admonition.
A happy little nest of like-minded lickspittles and bootlickers, marching together in liberal lockstep, wrapped in the flag of the fourth-estate, pretending to be "free speech" journalists, rather than the propagandists that they truly are.
Scott
posted 10/05/07 @ 8:19 AM MST
No sir the Board is not "Saving face..." they are working to save an 116 year old institution that you trashed.
ELS
posted 10/05/07 @ 8:28 AM MST
Fuck The Collegian
Fuck McSwane
and by default,
Fuck CSU!
Is this what it's come to? I normally wouldn't write like this, but since this is how it's done here, I will. He said it was "an effort to highlight the importance of free speech on a college campus." Ha! Give me a break! You all have been had! Bush is like a $100 bill being dragged through a trailor park and CSU is like...well, you know the analogy! BTW, fuck you if you don't like what I think!
Fuck McSwane
and by default,
Fuck CSU!
Is this what it's come to? I normally wouldn't write like this, but since this is how it's done here, I will. He said it was "an effort to highlight the importance of free speech on a college campus." Ha! Give me a break! You all have been had! Bush is like a $100 bill being dragged through a trailor park and CSU is like...well, you know the analogy! BTW, fuck you if you don't like what I think!
alexa
posted 10/05/07 @ 2:35 PM MST
Originally posted byELS
Fuck The Collegian
Fuck McSwane
and by default,
Fuck CSU!
Is this what it's come to? I normally wouldn't write like this, but since this is how it's done here, I will. ...
I whole heartedly support ELS' expression of his sentiments using The Collegian model. While neither ELS nor I think that the word 'fuck' advances any dialogue toward improving speech so it may enjoy true freedom, The Collegians do.
Ok, just what are the great new ideas and political improvements inherent in fuck?
While the kiddies figure out how to conjugate fuck, let's us real people go find some real speech to discuss.
See ya' later Collegians, good luck finding a job!
ELS
posted 10/05/07 @ 8:30 AM MST
F#@& The Collegian
F#@& McSwane
and by default,
F#@& CSU!
Is this what it's come to? I normally wouldn't write like this, but since this is how it's done here, I will. He said it was "an effort to highlight the importance of free speech on a college campus." Ha! Give me a break! You all have been had! Bush is like a $100 bill being dragged through a trailor park and CSU is like...well, you know the analogy! BTW, F#@& you if you don't like what I think!
(I posted this with 'the word' just before, did it make it?)
F#@& McSwane
and by default,
F#@& CSU!
Is this what it's come to? I normally wouldn't write like this, but since this is how it's done here, I will. He said it was "an effort to highlight the importance of free speech on a college campus." Ha! Give me a break! You all have been had! Bush is like a $100 bill being dragged through a trailor park and CSU is like...well, you know the analogy! BTW, F#@& you if you don't like what I think!
(I posted this with 'the word' just before, did it make it?)
Nicole
posted 10/05/07 @ 8:32 AM MST
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
GO FREE SPEECH.
GO FREE SPEECH.
Bill
posted 10/05/07 @ 8:45 AM MST
You know what's really sad? You liberal sheep have reduced our right to free speech to having the ability to say the word "FUCK" in a newspaper, instead of focusing on the freedom to say things that really need to be talked about in a respectful and more effective way. You sheep have lost the ability to see the forest through the trees. Any time y'all want to stop with this petty stuff and get around to really talking about the issues that need to be addressed, let someone know.
TylerDurden
posted 10/05/07 @ 8:52 AM MST
If David had said F___ Clinton or F___ Obama he would have been canned immediately. You all know this to be true.
Bob
posted 10/05/07 @ 8:57 AM MST
You people trying to stand up for "free speech" by equating it to the ability to say "fuck Bush" in a college newspaper have it all wrong. You do a great disservice to the right of free speech that you enjoy. Compared to our ancestors who were enslaved, or died to free slaves, or those who came to this country to escape religious oppresion. The men who wrote the Constitution didn't write the 1st Amendment thinking "We need this so some two-bit college newspaper can use the word fuck 200 years from now". They wrote it to guarantee that people would be free to their opinions for and against the governemnt. And "Fuck Bush" is not an opinion. It's a derogatory crude statement, and not the least bit constructive.
Over in Iraq, with Saddam in power, if you did not have the right religion you were sought out, tortured, imprioned, killed. If you weren't out in the streets at a rally supporting a president (whether you agreed with him or not) you could be sought out, tortured, killed. THIS is the kind of thing the 1st Amendment is about. NOT about some punk ass being able to say "Fuck whoever" in a newspaper.
Over in Iraq, with Saddam in power, if you did not have the right religion you were sought out, tortured, imprioned, killed. If you weren't out in the streets at a rally supporting a president (whether you agreed with him or not) you could be sought out, tortured, killed. THIS is the kind of thing the 1st Amendment is about. NOT about some punk ass being able to say "Fuck whoever" in a newspaper.
Patentram
posted 10/05/07 @ 9:20 AM MST
"It is our judgment that your decision was unprofessional and unethical."
Nice message. Do the previous and keep your job. Nice message.
Nice message. Do the previous and keep your job. Nice message.
Thomas
posted 10/05/07 @ 9:22 AM MST
Are all you people still here? Its over. Go home.
Brian
posted 10/05/07 @ 9:28 AM MST
Firing him would not have been in violation of his rights. There is no free speech issue here. Simply a selfish kid who wanted attention, and in an effort to get it compromised the finances of the paper and possibly the school itself.
Again: this is not about politics or free speech.
I am ashamed of the BSC.
Again: this is not about politics or free speech.
I am ashamed of the BSC.
gee
posted 10/05/07 @ 9:49 AM MST
Seems like you're still here too Thomas. Don't like it, go find something else to read.
JB
posted 10/05/07 @ 10:01 AM MST
The great thing about this is the demonstration of the command of the English language by Colorado State newspaper editor. The brilliant and well thought out choice of words. The compelling arguement of a political position. The CSU English, Journalism, and Political Science Departments should be proud to have produced such a master.
George
posted 10/05/07 @ 10:11 AM MST
Sophomoric: Exhibiting great immaturity and lack of judgment
James
posted 10/05/07 @ 10:17 AM MST
There is no moral dilemma at the heart of this situation, it all boils down to the money involved. The potential $50,000 hit to advertising is the only reason this hit the mainstream media. If not, it would have been nothing more than a few meddlesome petitions, a quick hearing and a blogger's wet dream.
The trick of it is, the national exposure is more than likely skyrocketing the collegian.com's click rate and could make it one of the hottest collegiate media commodities. If the ad reps weren't busy wallowing in spite and looking to dish a sound bite to CNN or the local media, they would be selling the site to what has become, however briefly, a highly scrutinized property.
That's not to mention the attention the following McSwane columns will garner. For every lost ad rep, there is five more looking to share a page with the most controversial 20-year-old editor-in-chief in recent history. What do you think will be the first thing read once McSwane publishes again? Put his name and a page number on the front page, see what happens. Start a blog on the site and prove that he has relevant ideas and an opinion. If he hides behind a breakdown of the latest home football game, it will further prove that he was doing nothing more than being controversial for the sake of controversy.
The only excuse for this publication's demise or shortfalls would be stubborn sales associates or the editorial staff's lack of focus.
The trick of it is, the national exposure is more than likely skyrocketing the collegian.com's click rate and could make it one of the hottest collegiate media commodities. If the ad reps weren't busy wallowing in spite and looking to dish a sound bite to CNN or the local media, they would be selling the site to what has become, however briefly, a highly scrutinized property.
That's not to mention the attention the following McSwane columns will garner. For every lost ad rep, there is five more looking to share a page with the most controversial 20-year-old editor-in-chief in recent history. What do you think will be the first thing read once McSwane publishes again? Put his name and a page number on the front page, see what happens. Start a blog on the site and prove that he has relevant ideas and an opinion. If he hides behind a breakdown of the latest home football game, it will further prove that he was doing nothing more than being controversial for the sake of controversy.
The only excuse for this publication's demise or shortfalls would be stubborn sales associates or the editorial staff's lack of focus.
Ed Butler
posted 10/05/07 @ 10:32 AM MST
Congratulations. By keeping your editor, your newspaper, and your school, are the laughing stocks of the country.
David
posted 10/05/07 @ 10:51 AM MST
Ed,
You must have forgotten that most of the country isn't laughing. Most of us are just counting down the days until its time to cast our vote in the 2008 election.
You must have forgotten that most of the country isn't laughing. Most of us are just counting down the days until its time to cast our vote in the 2008 election.
Originally posted byEd Butler
Congratulations. By keeping your editor, your newspaper, and your school, are the laughing stocks of the country.
Edd Butler
posted 10/05/07 @ 11:17 AM MST
I apologize for not clarifying my point. It's not the sentiment or the subject that's laughable, it's the acceptance of an Editor in Chief absent any semblance of professionalism.
Originally posted byEd Butler
Congratulations. By keeping your editor, your newspaper, and your school, are the laughing stocks of the country.
Eric
posted 10/05/07 @ 10:50 AM MST
I was hoping for the death penalty...
Mia Hart
posted 10/05/07 @ 11:23 AM MST
Amateur.
A real man would have gone with the "C" word and "F" Jesus.
Free Speech that, Mr. Journalist.
A real man would have gone with the "C" word and "F" Jesus.
Free Speech that, Mr. Journalist.
Jeff Tokarsky
posted 10/05/07 @ 12:45 PM MST
If you use your First Amendment rights and say nothing interesting, you are a bore, not brave. The Board, by weak enforcement of its standard, encourages violation. McSwane is immature and has rationalized his decision nicely if not convincingly. The Board, however, has not excuse other than incompetence.
Steve
posted 10/05/07 @ 1:13 PM MST
I don't understand the editorial. Taser this: Fuck Bush? Is that all it said? What does it mean? What does Bush have to do with tasering?
Joshua Covington
posted 10/05/07 @ 2:14 PM MST
Originally posted bySteve
I don't understand the editorial. Taser this: Fuck Bush? Is that all it said? What does it mean? What does Bush have to do with tasering?
Nothing really. The editorial wasn't really supposed to be attacking Bush or even the tasering incident. It was an attempt to wake up the university and get people talking about free speech. The collegian was pretty much just testing the 1st ammendment. Using profanity and the President's name was just a good way to do that. It wasn't supposed to be a well reasoned argument, but a stunt meant to prove a point. Now that this controversy is over, hopefully things can return to normal now.
Mary
posted 10/05/07 @ 6:30 PM MST
Joshua Covington:
You are joking right? Good lordy, I hope so! Testing free speech? Give me a break. You don't have to curse the nation's leader in a gigantic headline to test free speech. And you certainly don't have to risk your job as head honcho of the paper to test free speech. It's sad that morons like the editor can get away with unsupported political statements and hide behind the free speech argument.
You are joking right? Good lordy, I hope so! Testing free speech? Give me a break. You don't have to curse the nation's leader in a gigantic headline to test free speech. And you certainly don't have to risk your job as head honcho of the paper to test free speech. It's sad that morons like the editor can get away with unsupported political statements and hide behind the free speech argument.
registered Independent
posted 10/06/07 @ 9:54 AM MST
Originally posted bySteve
I don't understand the editorial. Taser this: Fuck Bush? Is that all it said? What does it mean? What does Bush have to do with tasering?
*
RESPONSE TO JOSHUA COVINGTON;
That's your "story" and you're sticking to it, eh?
Well nobody else is buying it, no matter how often
you parrot that lame excuse.
Pretty wimpy to claim to be "raging against the machine" when the target is a president with a
29% approval rating.
However it was quite a convincing display of the "editorial" board's laziness, bias, and absence of erudition.
And a wonderful national advertisement for the
scholarship at CSU.
*
Joshua Covington
posted 10/08/07 @ 2:16 PM MST
Originally posted bySteve
I don't understand the editorial. Taser this: Fuck Bush? Is that all it said? What does it mean? What does Bush have to do with tasering?
Response to Mary:
I was just interpreting the actions of the Collegian's editorial board as a saw them. I would think cursing the president would be a really good way to test free speech. Its inflammatory and its controversial. Its the kind of thing that could have gotten you killed in other societies in the past. Now, if I was on the board I wouldn't have voted to approve that editorial, but I understand why they did it. They wanted a big reaction, and they chose a course of action that got them one.
Joshua Covington
posted 10/08/07 @ 2:27 PM MST
Originally posted bySteve
I don't understand the editorial. Taser this: Fuck Bush? Is that all it said? What does it mean? What does Bush have to do with tasering?
Response to registered independent:
Well, the only story I can tell is the one the Collegian told us. I was merely describing the motives the Collegian said they had. While its true that President Bush isn't very popular, and that cursing him isn't new, its still obviously seen as highly inflammatory. Otherwise, this controversy would have never appeared. As for "raging against the machine", I don't think the collegian intended this either. I think they saw it as a free speech test. I think an employee of the collegian used the metaphor of toeing a line. And I would agree with you that the editorial was biased and far from complex or scholarly, but it wasn't supposed to be. I would sincerely hope this isn't a sign of things to come, but merely an isolated case of proving a principle. This is certainly not the way to make an argument, but it wasn't supposed to be an argument. From what the Collegian employees have said, this appears to be their opinion as well.
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Sisyphus39
posted 10/04/07 @ 11:38 PM MST
Good to keep a courageous editor! Good to keep the dialog alive!
Good to keep the reason for the editorial in the discussion, too.
It's not "the F word" that is so horrible, but the idea that it takes something like that editorial to get attention to the problem of the president turning our great American experiment into a dictatorship! The mainstream media won't do it, but a college newspaper had the guts to do it! That shows professionalism and ethics. Milksop sycophancy and marginalization of dissent is neither professional nor ethical.
Go! McSwane! You stuck your neck out and you took the consequences!
Being an editor is not a picnic, but it does have its rewards!
Keep on pushing for dialogue!
You wouldn't believe how closely I've watched for this decision. The right decision was made at last.
I'll sleep better tonight!