We are certainly used to seeing the MSM causing trouble for conservatives and this one is no different at least on that level. But the interesting thing here is that the trouble a social conservative discovered was as a result of what she wrote in the MSM as opposed to what was written about her by the MSM. It seems that the opinion editorial written by Crystal Dixon for the Toledo Free Press got her fired by the University of Toledo because... well, you know how universities are all about free expression and speech, right? Unfortunately for Dixon, though, hers wasn't the proper, politically correct sort of speech that is officially approved of by the thugs at the University of Toledo.
You see, Crystal Dixon made the mistake of believing that this whole silly idea of "freedom of religion" also applied to our institutions of higher learning. She foolishly asserted in her Toledo Free Press op ed that as far as her religious beliefs are concerned, homosexuality is a choice made by the individual instead of some genetic predisposition, that someone chooses to engage in homosexual activities instead of assuming that being gay is forced upon one by "nature."
Of course, Dixon based her entire op ed on her Christian religious beliefs. It was no hate filled rant and was quite civil, even tempered, and to the point. But the gay mafia inside the University of Toledo must be awfully powerful. Or, at the very least, fear of them was enough to stifle -- no, execute -- Mrs. Dixon over what the president of UoT must imagine is her wretched religious extremism.
President Dr. Lloyd Jacobs dashed off a letter summarily firing Mrs. Dixon from her $134,383 a year job as associate vice president for employee resources.
A letter to Ms. Dixon informing her of her termination, stated "The public position you have taken in the Toledo Free Press is in direct contradiction to university policies and procedures as well as the core values of the strategic plan which is mission critical."
It went on to say her position calls into question her ability to continue in her role as an administrator in charge of personnel actions and decisions and that "the result is a loss of confidence in you as an administrator."
Don't you DARE have any religious beliefs in an American university. Well... unless it is the church of Satan, or Islam, global warming, anti-Jewish or feminism you want to belong to. Those are perfectly fine religious opinions in the halls of our fetid universities it should be noted.
So, what sort of evil, no good, rotten thing did Mrs. Dixon say in her op ed for the Free Press? I mean, it HAD to be the most scurrilous thing on record, right?
She began with this:
I respectfully submit a different perspective for Miller and Toledo Free Press readers to consider.
SHOCKING! Wanting to be respectful of her opponents and to add to the debate? Say it ain't so! She is off to a bad start with this. We all know that no university wants any different perspectives, don't we? As soon as she finished her first words she should have known her job was lost.
First, human beings, regardless of their choices in life, are of ultimate value to God and should be viewed the same by others. At the same time, one's personal choices lead to outcomes either positive or negative.
OUTRAGE! Speaking of God dooms this woman to the educational purgatory reserved for conservatives and other nefarious inhuman cretins as far as the denizens of our universities are concerned.
I won't replay her entire op ed here, but it's filled with some great stuff. But I do have to reiterate one of her themes before I close this article of mine.
As a Black woman who happens to be an alumnus of the University of Toledo's Graduate School, an employee and business owner, I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are "civil rights victims." Here's why. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a Black woman.
You know, I have often wondered why the civil rights establishment has allowed homosexual extremists to co-opt the mantle of civil rights for their own twisted agenda? Dixon is exactly right. I can no more "decide" not to be white as she can "decide" not to be black. And, if people are to attack Mrs. Dixon because of the color of her skin, this is something so inherently wrong as to be axiomatic that a civil right would be violated by oppression based on that reality. But, it is possible to decide not to be gay. It is something eminently under the control of the individual to change. It is a behavior, not an unalterable fact.
But, all that aside, if Mrs. Dixon's religious beliefs dictate that homosexuality is a choice, then how is it the right of the university to fire her over that belief? Has it affected her job in the past? I don't see how it could have. After all, she has risen through the ranks of the university to a rather high position. If no one noticed her religious beliefs had affected her job by now, then it is safe to say that she was not acting in a discriminatory manner in the execution of her duties.
I hope Mrs. Dixon sues the University of Toledo and Dr. Lloyd Jacobs into oblivion. If you'd like to send this so-called educator a little note, try this email address: UTPresident@utoledo.edu. Or give him a call and set up a nice lunch with him at: (419) 530-2211. Then there is the ever popular yet slightly technologically backwards fax number: (419) 530-4984. I think the good doc would love to respectfully hear another perspective from all of us. He looks like just the sort of fella that enjoys a good chat, doesn't he?
(Photo credits, the Toledo Free Press for Mrs. Dixon and the University of Toledo for the prez)
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
thank you for printing the contact info
May 13, 2008 - 21:00 ET by ksimm81I will definitely be giving Lloyd Jacobs a ring.
As a black, Conservative Christian woman, I stand in solidarity with Crystal. May God bless her with much more than what she lost.
Liberalism is such a farce.
Good luck!
May 13, 2008 - 21:42 ET by rgoldKsimm,
That may be difficult with only the nine digit telephone number provided! :-)
(Sorry Warner!)
Crap, crap, crap. That
May 13, 2008 - 22:24 ET by Warner Todd HustonCrap, crap, crap.
That missing number is a 1, dang it.
I fixed it.
LOL
In short, she was fired for
May 13, 2008 - 21:08 ET by CortillaenIn short, she was fired for expressing her belief that being a homosexual was a choice rather than a condition. Grounds a lawsuit, perhaps? Violation of the 1st Amendment?
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
See how powerful this gay
May 13, 2008 - 21:11 ET by HypocriteHaterSee how powerful this gay agenda is? It didn't matter that she was an African-American woman, which are the two other "victim" groups liberals love to champion behind.
The fact that she was religious and had the nerve to publicly express her religious views overrode her race and gender and ultimately doomed her amoung the gays and their supporters.
What I won't hold my breath
May 13, 2008 - 21:12 ET by Cape Conservativefor is to read that the ACLU has come to Mrs. Dixon's defense!
I believe parents are being robbed of their tuition dollars by sending their children to be "educated" in today's schools of higher learning. It would be well for parents to do a THOROUGH check of any university before spending their hard-earned money to send their children off to be brainwashed by the liberal elite!
Thanks for the contact information...I'll be on the phone tomorrow first thing!
Pft, this is why I go to an
May 13, 2008 - 21:17 ET by CortillaenPft, this is why I go to an engineering school, and I still get bombarded with PCC (Political Correctness Crap). Thankfully, most of the teachers here are decent, if not conservative, and the ROTC and AFROTC detachments help.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
Keep up the good work!
May 13, 2008 - 22:32 ET by Cape ConservativeYou've got a good life waiting for you - go for it!
Actually, I'm looking
May 13, 2008 - 22:39 ET by CortillaenActually, I'm looking forward to the AF part of my future more than the Mechanical Engineering part. I've wanted to do R&D work for the military for years, so I figured being in the military would be a good place to start. Free tuition, almost-free room and board, a guaranteed job after graduation, and working with the contractors I might one day apply to is just too good to pass up. Besides, I think I owe at least four years in gratitude for having been born here.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
Cort... May the future
May 13, 2008 - 22:50 ET by bigtimerCort...
May the future stay bright for you....best of luck to you in all your endeavors.
You sure know a lot for such a young man...highest compliments sent your way.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
This sounds like a job for
May 13, 2008 - 21:21 ET by R D HelmThis sounds like a job for these people.
I hope she cleans the University of Toledo out.
Bob Barr in '08. And no, I am not kidding.
Do as I say...
May 13, 2008 - 21:56 ET by BayshoremanEvidently, Dr. Jacobs doesn't understand that a person having a "bias" is not illegal nor unlawful. It is the actual taking of adverse action on that bias that may be illeagl or unlawful.
UT is now on the hook to PROVE (if taken to court) that Ms. Dixon did in fact let her bias influence her professional administrative decisions, e.g. she discriminated agaisnt someone because of their sexual orientation.
Irronically, it seems the one who actually took illegal or unlawfull action based on a bias (anti-christian), was Dr. Jacobs himself! But wait...being a Phd and a University president, I'm sure he is WAY too smart for us to dare question his actions.
University President -
May 13, 2008 - 21:58 ET by Cape Conservativecan anyone say Larry Sommers??? It seems "bias" charges can hit at all levels!
Crystal Dixon
May 13, 2008 - 21:34 ET by cobolpoetCOBOL poet
I don't personally agree with Ms. Dixon's opinions on homosexuality, but I am willing to defend her right to speak her mind and I have written to President Jacobs to tell him so. I know it was when dinosaurs roamed the earth, but when I was in University, it was all about the free exchange of ideas. What the heck is happening to our country?
If you're a human resources
May 13, 2008 - 22:16 ET by balboaIf you're a human resources administrator at a public university, I'm not sure it's a good idea to write a letter to a newspaper explaining how you believe that gays are gays by choice.
Nice way of dancing around
May 13, 2008 - 22:33 ET by CortillaenNice way of dancing around the issue. Now, do you think it was right to fire her?
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
He would probably never have
May 13, 2008 - 22:39 ET by Warner Todd HustonHe would probably never have hired her, she being an eeevil Christian and all. In fact, Bal would probably rather her kind be put in camps where he could keep an eye on her!
;)
I don't know. She didn't say
May 13, 2008 - 22:45 ET by balboaI don't know. She didn't say anything such as "I hate gays" or anything. But isn't the university opening itself up for potential lawsuits by keeping her?
Probably should have reassigned her.
Fire everyone!
May 13, 2008 - 22:49 ET by CortillaenWhen, pray tell, did it become a litigation-worthy offense to declare the belief that homosexuals are thus by shoice? If the university can be sued for its staff having opinions, they'd better automate everything.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
When that person is
May 13, 2008 - 23:00 ET by balboaWhen that person is responsible for hiring people, and shares that opinion with the public, I'm sure a lawyer could twist her words into something more. The university's probably just looking to cover its ass.
bal, hopefully Dr. Jacobs will soon be facing foreclosure on his
May 13, 2008 - 23:11 ET by R D Helmbal, hopefully Dr. Jacobs will soon be facing foreclosure on his home, and maybe then he will "get it."
After all, financing Crystal Dixon'e retirement is going to be damned expensive.
Personally, I hope he winds up practicing "Would you like fries with that?" for thirty minutes every day prior to reporting to work at his local McDonalds.
Bob Barr in '08. And no, I am not kidding.
I'm sure that's an actual
May 13, 2008 - 23:13 ET by balboaI'm sure that's an actual possibility...
Of course the university
May 14, 2008 - 11:43 ET by CortillaenOf course the university was looking out for itself. The problem is that they choose to fire someone for publicly expressing their beliefs. Without any evidence that those beliefs caused discrimination in her conduct at work, firing someone for merely expressing their views smacks of PC, AA, and the violation of 1st Amendment rights. If they, or anyone else, could prove that she was discriminating against homosexuals in her job, then UT was vulnerable to suit and had sufficient reason to terminate her. I've yet to see any such evidence. Fear that a crooked lawyer might try to twist her words does not justify violating her very real civil rights.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
Wow, you seem to be as ignorant as the president of UT
May 13, 2008 - 22:57 ET by AJSHOPEThe fact that he fired her means that there WILL be lawsuits because what he did is ILLEGAL. The lawsuits from ridiculous liberals that have nothing better to do than sue wouldn't have any substance, the lawsuit that should be coming in the near future from people who know the law, will have the law behind it, not just some squishy hurt feelings.
Thanks, Sparky. You're the
May 13, 2008 - 23:01 ET by balboaThanks, Sparky. You're the best.
bal, last time I checked, government employees...
May 13, 2008 - 23:03 ET by R D Helm...do not surrender their 1st Amendment rights the moment they are hired.
This is still, after all, the United States of America.
Bob Barr in '08. And no, I am not kidding.
She has the right to say
May 13, 2008 - 23:07 ET by balboaShe has the right to say whatever she wants. But that doesn't preclude her from consequences as a result.
Look, I don't think personally that what she said is all that offensive. I don't agree with it, certainly, and I'm not sure she should have been fired. But I can see why the university did it.
Let's not be hypocrites.
May 13, 2008 - 23:41 ET by babooYou know, as abhorrent, wrong, and clearly biased as the UT president's choice was, he was perfectly within his rights to do so:
"Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech"
That's all the Constitution guarantees about freedom of speech. It's not, "No private citizen or representative of a public entity shall take any action that appears to effect negative consequences on another individual based on some thing they said."
... Now, that having been said, there's also nothing stopping any of us from dropping good-old Prez' an email or two (or maybe giving him a call every now and again) to remind him of the foolishness of his choice. ;)
Anyways, this, finally exposes the victim-calculus of the left:
Gay > Black + Woman (as evidenced here)
Black > Woman (as evidenced by the Dem Primaries)
which kind of makes me wonder... First, how does the left manage to maintain the moral high-ground and dare to lecture *us* about their Moral Values of "openmindedness," "non-judgementalism," and "tolerance" when they, themselves, have decided there's an explicit hierarchy of victimhood (i.e. they've "judged" the relative value of people) based on your gender, race, and personal choices about sex?
And second, McCain should just say he's gay. It would be a landslide victory. (unless Hillary does first, in which case he's done for.)
b
There's no hierarchy of
May 14, 2008 - 00:23 ET by cleverpigThere's no hierarchy of victimhood! By your "math" a gay person would face no consequences from the left for being racist. It isn't okay to be racist, no matter what your sexual orientation, and it isn't okay to be homophobic regardless of your race.
But cp
May 14, 2008 - 00:30 ET by MightyMouthYou have not defined "racist" or "homophobic". Do you assume these concepts are universal? Or is cleverpig the one true arbitrator?
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
MM... Oh are you going to
May 14, 2008 - 00:41 ET by bigtimerMM...
Oh are you going to have some fun now...I'm sitting here giggling...I can't wait to watch this show.
Your turn anyway...you've been AWOL.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
BT, I think we may have to
May 14, 2008 - 00:56 ET by MightyMouthBT, I think we may have to wait on this one. Late the hour is and giving cp the benifit of the doubt, I would never say she runs from direct questions. Perhaps we can continue tomorrow?
Sorry for being AWOL :-)
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
MM... I hope I didn't
May 14, 2008 - 01:02 ET by bigtimerMM...
I hope I didn't convey that cp did...no, she will answer tonight or the next day....I just meant that this is going to be enjoyable...that is if I am here to enjoy it that is...after-all...only God knows.
..and you are forgiven...lol.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Thanks bt!
May 14, 2008 - 01:17 ET by MightyMouthWe are on the same page on this one!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Sorry guys, I have a three
May 15, 2008 - 00:24 ET by cleverpigSorry guys, I have a three hour commute which means my few precious evening hours have many demands on them.
My boyfriend hates the time I spend on NB ;)
Nope. Not universal and
May 15, 2008 - 00:22 ET by cleverpigNope. Not universal and not up to me. That's kind of my point: putting "black" and "gay" into mathematical equations like you can add something and multiply something else and turn one into the other is a false association.
Unless you are speaking about your own experiences, who you are does not change whether the statements you make are okay.
As for who decides if it's okay: the original post accused liberals of having a hierarchy to decide what is okay and what is not. Obviously I don't think there are rules like that, and if there were rules I wouldn't be the one writing them. But since there are only a handful of liberals on this site we all end up speaking for our side of the political spectrum.
If any of my brothers-in-arms disagree with my contention here I'd be happy to hear about it :)
cleverpig
May 14, 2008 - 00:32 ET by shawn228I'm not sure if you are more responding to the last poster or the main article.
If you are refferring to main article, I find nothing homophobic about it, If liberals really believe in free speech, they should practice what the preach.
Removing candy from Schools, Fairness doctrine, it is such a double standand. I still like the liberal version of free speech more than conservatives, but not by much. The left seems to get more loony every year.
Shawn
May 14, 2008 - 00:38 ET by MightyMouthNot to jump in :-) but could you please explain:
"I still like the liberal version of free speech more than conservatives"
what is the difference that you like so much?
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Mighty Mouth
May 14, 2008 - 01:01 ET by shawn228Jump in any time MM :-) I would be glad to. Before I begin, know that not all liberals are not all card carrying ACLU members just like not all conservatives are like Pat Robertson.
The real right wing nutjobs that talk about morals on tv. What we can and cannot watch. I know this argument is old, but just turn off the tv if you don't want to watch it.
Ok buddy, I understand that
May 14, 2008 - 01:15 ET by MightyMouthOk buddy, I understand that you are not a left wing kook like obama or NP, HR, Murtha or for that matter HRC... You were saying?....
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
MM
May 14, 2008 - 01:22 ET by shawn228??????. Sorry MM, I do not understand your post. Your almost as cryptic as botg ;-)
My point again, if I did not explain it properly the first time is, the morality police, the one that find the crack of dawn to be indecent and want to prevent the rest of us for viewing material that is not moral.
Take the Tila Tequila show for example. I think that show is garbage but i don't want to prevent others from watching it. There are many conservatives that want to see that show banned along with other shows on Cable.
I want to choose what I watch on tv and hear on radio, I don't want anyone choosing it for me.
Morality Police?
May 14, 2008 - 01:34 ET by MightyMouthHang with me here, wouldn't that mean there was a definition of "morality"? And if there is a definition by society of "morality" does society have the right to "police" that morality? If you say no, then anything goes right? Do you believe anything goes?
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Ok MM
May 14, 2008 - 02:01 ET by shawn228I have had this debate with Trach. I can already see where this going. Syrius has similiar views on this issue as I do, and you accussed of him of siding with NAMBLA.
I am saying morality within the limits of the law. No underage children, beastiality etc.
I feel kind of sad, that I had to list those things, but like I said, I can see where you are going with this.
Ok Shawn
May 14, 2008 - 22:27 ET by MightyMouthYou as a liberal probably support the lib left ACLU? Right? Well what if they did this...? And by the way did you know that in many states Adultery is against the law? Don't hear about too many prosecutions on that do you? Just a convienent tactic to use in divorce. But Imagine if arrests were typically made, you might object to that wouldn't you? Morality is not about "Law".
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Must you go down that road MM?
May 14, 2008 - 23:20 ET by shawn228Sigh, as usual, you are taking things out of the norm to back up your argument. You know full well what I mean. Things within the law. I have no idea how you are finding a corelation between a law rarely used for adultery and what can be shown on tv.
I'm not going to have a long drawn out debate with you about this, it is like explaining definitions to Bill Clinton
why not bal?
May 13, 2008 - 23:07 ET by candanceFrom what I've read about the case, Ms. Dixon took exception to a piece the paper had run comparing treatment of gays to that of black people back in the old days. She wrote her piece in defense of the school's healthcare/benefit package and made the point that she was offended by the comparison of abolition to the modern gay agenda.
So she believes being gay is a choice - so what? Did she say gay people were somehow inferior or less intelligent? No. She also probably thinks it's a choice to have children but wouldn't base her hiring and firing on that merit. Furthermore, she was defending school policy which she had little control over changing in the first place. What, it's okay for the school to deny bennies to gay couples as long as no one admits to it??
This isn't about gay people not being treated equally. This is about the demand that everyone believe what gay people want them to even when it conflicts with their religion.
Toledo???
May 13, 2008 - 22:20 ET by pbthinkerWasn't Toledo the city that threw out the Marines a while back? If that's the case this whole city has a problem, between their mayor and their university they might want to think about relocating to Venezuela or something.
Is this like yelling "Fire" in a crowded theater? I certainly hope this isn't the end of this and the university has to justify its actions. Hell, look how long it took to get Ward Campbell, or whatever his name was, out of Colorado State and he had a lot more problems than speech. One thing's for sure, these liberal institutions of higher learning know absolutely nothing about free speech. All they tell us is that we have to tolerate all of this speech, as offensive as it may be, andyet they tolerate none. Amazing.
Democrats: Stuck on Stupid since 2000.
Dr. Lloyd Jacobs is part of
May 13, 2008 - 22:26 ET by bws53Dr. Lloyd Jacobs is part of the ILL of society - Intolerant Liberal Left.
He's also a knucklehead.
Possible Lawsuit?
May 13, 2008 - 23:07 ET by BeukeboomI think a lawsuit is in order for wrongful termination thereby challenging the "direct contradiction to university policies and procedures as well as the core values of the strategic plan which is mission critical" as claimed by Lloyd Jacobs. And if such a lawsuit is filed, I expect some sort of out-of-court settlement with possible reinstatement of Dixon and major spin by Jacobs.
LOL, I wouldn't be surprised.
May 13, 2008 - 23:14 ET by AJSHOPEIf Jacobs didn't consult the school's lawyers before he fired her, I bet they called him the second they found out and reamed him. I'm sure between them and the feedback he's getting now from the public, he realizes that he screwed up big time.
Hard Core liberals
May 13, 2008 - 23:12 ET by shawn228With the exception on wanting to cut and run in Iraq, this is what I hate the most about hard core liberals.
They say they are for freedom of speech, but as soon as it hurts somebody's feelings, then it should not be said. The fairness doctrine, trying to take God out of the Pledge.
If conservatives did not freak about a 1/2 second of aerola at a football game, I would like their version better.
HE SAID AREOLA! BAN HIM, BAN
May 13, 2008 - 23:16 ET by Warner Todd HustonHE SAID AREOLA!
BAN HIM, BAN HIM!!!
8)
lol Warner
May 13, 2008 - 23:19 ET by shawn228touche' I have major issues with both parties for free speech one wants to ban anything not pc and the other wants to ban anything indecent.
LOL Warner
May 13, 2008 - 23:20 ET by candanceI had to stop and think of what that word even meant for second.
Just look at it this way Shawn: at least Janet and Justin still have incomes.
candance
May 13, 2008 - 23:23 ET by shawn228True Candance, but they did not fire Justin or Janet either. The only people that paid the price was CBS and Howard Stern
Aerola? Good car. I
May 14, 2008 - 00:10 ET by JerryAerola? Good car. I used to own a Toyota Aerola.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Some out of work...
May 14, 2008 - 00:14 ET by MightyMouth...marketing "genius" is still bragging about that one at the bar! LOL!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Dude, there was no "1/2"
May 13, 2008 - 23:17 ET by balboaDude, there was no "1/2" about it. :-)
If conservatives did not
May 13, 2008 - 23:31 ET by general companyIf conservatives did not freak about a 1/2 second of aerola at a football game
I thought it was the FCC doing the freaking, oh and the PARENTS of the children watching, but what do I know?
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
The FCC
May 14, 2008 - 00:18 ET by shawn228A FCC that was headed at that time by Republican Michael Powell, son of Colin Powell.
They could not care less what Howard Stern or what anyone did for yrs. Then came the Superbowl. Brent Bozell and the PTC finally had a audience.
Oh yea those Powel's are
May 14, 2008 - 00:28 ET by general companyOh yea those Powel's are such conservatives?
Also the Stern was banned, fired, and suspended so many times only satellite radio saved his career. I was listening in DC area when he called the airline and asked for one way tickets to the GW bridge. He was fired for that by WWDC 101. So I think you are a bit miss informed to put it mildly
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
general company
May 14, 2008 - 01:14 ET by shawn228Stern finally decided to give up terrestrial radio, when congress decided to raise the fine for indecency from 30,000 to 300000.
Like I said the FCC basically turned a blind eye to many things. The Janet Jackson thing just openned the floodgates.
Like I said, self
May 14, 2008 - 01:33 ET by general companyLike I said, self preservation. BTW are you defending Stern or bashing the folks who feel they have a right to NOT let their kids here his BS. I have kids, he is not the least bit funny as far as I am responsible for raising them. You do want me to raise good law abiding kids, don't you? BTW just because Stern says this does not make it true, he had been on the edge for a long time. Claming he is a victim is , well the liberal way. He ain't helping, and neither are you in his defense. What's the mater with decency?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Howard_Stern_Show
Oh yea, heres that blind eye you refered to, or did you mean besides Stern?
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
General Company
May 14, 2008 - 01:53 ET by shawn228My wife would probably agree with you. She hated Stern with a passion. I however thought he was the best part of my drive into work in the morning.
If you don't want to listen to him don't. If you don't want your kids to listen to him, same thing.
Next Couple Days will be interesting
May 13, 2008 - 23:25 ET by Jonah JohansenNext Couple Days will be interesting,
Will Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, come to her defense?
If it had been any other group she was being accused of
disrespecting, they would either have already made public statements denouncing her firing, they
would certainly wait no longer than tomorrow afternoon (to catch the Wednesdays
nightly news programs).
If they remain silent; that will really tell you a lot
about the real nature of the inner liberal power structure.
My guess is that there are at least one or two black pastors in
the area, with large congregations, who are willing to risk their under the
table payoffs from the local Democratic Party machine.
If they come out forcibly for this woman and there is a
ground swell of support on local black radio, then eventually Sharpton will
have too support her also.
For her sake I hope she is actually a member
of one of those large churches.
Honestly, we should all
May 13, 2008 - 23:36 ET by general companyHonestly, we should all be ashamed that we let such trivial speech be this considered. This woman deserves none of this and nether does her family, shame on us.
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
I love it, the publisher of the newspaper justifies the firing.
May 14, 2008 - 00:01 ET by Jonah JohansenPublisher’s Statement
Crystal, but not clear
By Thomas F. Pounds
President and Publisher
tpounds@toledofreepress.com
As a newspaper publisher, I count freedom of speech among our
greatest resources and rights. As a business owner, I understand the
dynamics of perception and reputation.
The controversy over comments by Crystal Dixon published on our Web site puts those two viewpoints in conflict.
Dixon,
associate vice president for human resources at the University of
Toledo and an elder/minister at End Time Christian Fellowship in
Toledo, responded to a column by Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller
concerning gay rights, with such thoughts as, “I take great umbrage at
the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are ‘civil
rights victims.' Here's why. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a
Black woman. I am genetically and biologically a Black woman and very
pleased to be so as my Creator intended. Daily, thousands of
homosexuals make a life decision to leave the gay lifestyle ...”
I
defend Dixon's right to express her opinions, including and especially
her religious beliefs, even if I do not agree with them. Lord knows,
there have been plenty of unusual opinions expressed in these pages
during the past three years. But as someone who works in human
resources for a very public institution, someone who presumably is
educated on the importance of diversity in the workplace, Dixon has
caused her employer some embarrassment and potentially compromised its
mission of inclusion and outreach. She is an official for UT and a
minister, and the blurring of her two roles has led UT to suspend her,
with pay.
The publisher in me cringes at that breach of her
freedom, but the business owner in me understands the message the
university and President Lloyd Jacobs were compelled to send.
Not
since the Marines controversy have so many hundreds of readers sent
letters and left phone messages on a topic. The hot button has been
pushed. Here's hoping Dixon and UT find a graceful exit strategy that
allows her to move on amiably and protects UT's mission of diversity
and inclusion.
Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press.
Not surprising. The Toledo
May 14, 2008 - 00:36 ET by Warner Todd HustonNot surprising.
The Toledo Blade is one of the most communist inspired rag in the nation.
Mr. Pounds, it sounds like
May 14, 2008 - 01:32 ET by jdhawkMr. Pounds, it sounds like this, "As a business owner, I understand the dynamics of perception and reputation." is really working out for you. This just in:
Fas-Fax for March 2008 is out from Audit Bureau of Circulations and the downward trend of lost paid subscribers continues for The Blade. According to the report, total paid circulation for Sunday subscriptions fell about 4.8 percent from 154,566 in March 2007 to 147,141 in March 2008. Monday through Friday subscriptions fell 4.8 percent from 125,956 in March 2007 to 119,901 in March 2008. Saturday subscriptions fell from 120,847 in March 2007 to 116,342, a decline of 3.7 percent.
I don't think she should
May 14, 2008 - 00:50 ET by cleverpigI don't think she should have been fired. However, I think it would have been fully within the university's rights to discipline her and stipulate as a condition of continued employment that she not make controversial political statements while publicly associated with the university.
My mother is a very active liberal in a conservative state. For the many years that she ran a local arts nonprofit, she was careful to make no public statements of a political nature-- not because she gave up her freedom of speech, but because she knew that through her association with the NP she could hurt them financially if she alienated important donors. The university is in a similar position when it comes to private endowments, alumni, and student recruiting. Now, happily, mom is retired and can write letters to the editor to her heart's content :)
I hope that when considering how people react to this, conservatives remember that most liberals believe that gay rights is a civil rights issue just as much as race is. The only difference is that orientation is something you can hide, while race is generally not. I believe, (and I'm not the only one, science believes this too :) ) that most homosexuals do not choose their orientation. They can no more choose not to be gay than Crystal can choose not to be black. I realize this is something that many of you don't believe, but I think the reaction is more understandable if you realize the perspective from which we see the issue.
only IF...
May 14, 2008 - 01:03 ET by Warner Todd HustonThat would be only IF she HAD such language prohibiting her speech in her contract!
The University of Toledo
May 14, 2008 - 01:26 ET by cleverpigThe University of Toledo does in fact have a Standards of Conduct
for employees which includes the statement "University employees are expected to exhibit behaviors that are consisten with ourmission and our vision." Possible infractions include "Unauthorized political activity."
So I think they're covered. I've signed documents like that and always found them galling, but they are pretty much standard issue for public institutions.
How is the Op Ed "unauthorized political activity"?
May 14, 2008 - 01:53 ET by mastersofdeceitHow is the Op Ed "unauthorized political activity"?
Actually #12 under Job Performance says: "Unauthorized political or UNION activities"
Yeah I'm sure that's never happened. : p
Also Purpose of Policy:
"these rules are not intended to restrict the rights of employees,..." ie writing an op-ed.
Well, I don't know how they
May 14, 2008 - 02:14 ET by cleverpigWell, I don't know how they define political activity. Obviously it isn't union activity. It also specifically states that the list of possible infractions is not exhaustive. You can violate the policy even if the thing you did isn't on that list, so I think the more important statement is the one about their mission and vision. That one they can pretty much interpret however they like. If she signed that document, I think she's stuck.
cleverpig
May 14, 2008 - 01:09 ET by shawn228The author is using her freedom of speech about her belief in God. She believes that being gay is a personal choice, there is nothing wrong with that.
Being gay is a personal choice, I personally think the act of homosexualty is wrong, in fact I get the heebies even when 2 men are in the back of a car wearing shorts and their legs brush against each other.
However, I believe gays can live their lives however they wish, because the do not bother me, but I hope they don't dare tell me that i'm not allowed to share my beliefs.
If you are a kind and
May 14, 2008 - 01:30 ET by cleverpigIf you are a kind and tolerant person, there is nothing wrong with believing that being gay is a personal choice. The problem is that there are people who are denied employment, housing, and basic equal treatment because of their orientation, and insisting it is a personal choice is an excuse to allow that to continue. Because if they don't like being discriminated against, they can always choose to be heterosexual.
Hypothetically, if you believed that there was a biological basis for orientation, would it change your opinion on gay rights issues?
The problem is that there
May 14, 2008 - 01:37 ET by general companyThe problem is that there are people who are denied employment, housing, and basic equal treatment because of their orientation,
Realy? I thought that we had gone the other direction, my proof is this artical, yours is,,,,,,,,,,
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
I think we have gone in the
May 14, 2008 - 01:53 ET by cleverpigI think we have gone in the other direction. Discrimination against homosexuals is obviously much less common than it was 20 years ago. But it still happens. Same thing with race. We are a much less racist country than we used to be, but I think most people would agree that we still need laws on the books against discrimination on the basis of race to protect people from the few racists still out there.
Even if 99% of us think it is wrong to refuse someone housing because they are black, you can't actually prevent some random bigot from doing exactly that unless you make the discrimination illegal.
If you want stories of people who have faced discrimination because of their orientation, here's a report the ACLU put together:
Working in the Shadows
Cleverpig
May 14, 2008 - 01:46 ET by shawn228I don't know if you noticed, but I am easily one of the most liberal members on this site. Yes I agree with gay rights, and I also agree with gays being allowed to serve in the military.
I just don't like their lifestyle being forced down my throat. It was the authors opinion, what she thought about homosexuality and imo she does not even deserve to be reprimanded for it.
Agree with her or not, that is fine. It certainly is not a reason for termination.
I guess I disagree with the
May 14, 2008 - 02:03 ET by cleverpigI guess I disagree with the sentiment that she was just expressing her religious opinion and wasn't hurting anyone. However she intended it, the "homosexuality is a choice" argument is a preface to judgement (choosing to sin being a bad thing) and an excuse for attacks, and so I do think it is harmful. She may be the sweetest lady in the world, but the sentiments she expresses are not positive ones. I don't see how reacting negatively to that forces any kind of lifestyle down anyone's throat.
But I agree, as I said earlier, that I don't think she should have been fired.
Shawn
May 14, 2008 - 02:11 ET by cleverpigI hope this doesn't end up too personal, but I'd like to ask a question about orientation and you seem like the perfect person to ask given your stated opinions. Would you mind if I put up a post in the forums tomorrow evening?
cleverpig
May 14, 2008 - 09:22 ET by shawn228Your have my curiosty cp. I guess so..uumm I think? lol
what up El Presidente ?
May 14, 2008 - 01:35 ET by JayTeeYou canning da hood Gals from that good paying job ?
Mannn...B-ho is gonna send tha GD Reverand Wright to your door step, rites now...!!! and he is gonna preach you back into the brotherhood of All gods chilren....black brown and code Pink..Gay, Straight, and Tri-Sexual and he's gonna bring that Breck Girl NC Lawyer down on your Toledo ass....So grab your buns and assume tha Islamic worshippin Position .....Here come tha CHANGE...HERE COME THA CHANGE...
At least that is what I'd do if I was running for president....I'd take out another "Pres"...
This is that creeping
May 14, 2008 - 02:09 ET by mastersofdeceitThis is that creeping fascism..
right?
Speaking of Islam & "academia"...
Missing...
May 14, 2008 - 08:59 ET by BayshoremanAm I missing something or was this report and thread taken off the NB main page?
You are correct. It was
May 14, 2008 - 14:16 ET by Warner Todd HustonYou are correct. It was removed from the front pages.
I feel devalued as a human being and I'm suing! LOL
Thanks for your reply...
May 14, 2008 - 16:05 ET by BayshoremanThanks for your reply Warner and although you make light of it (as I would probably do if my boss[es] did the same), I am really shocked that NB would take such an action on a very significant story which is being totally ignored by the MSM.
The only possible rational I can think of was the NB overseers were not pleased you included the TB president's contact information. If so, why not redact that information but keep the news report in the headlines?
Maybe someone(s) needs to dust off and re-read the NB Mission Statement
Actually it was because it
May 14, 2008 - 16:08 ET by Warner Todd HustonActually it was because it didn't quite fit the left media bias requirement. The NB staff told me that they liked the story, but it was more liberal bias in education as opposed to bias in the media.
Not to worry. I got the story on several other venues, so it's getting out there.
Thanks...
May 14, 2008 - 22:18 ET by BayshoremanThanks for the explanation and also for the reference of postings on other venues.
That being said, unless I'm being too simple minded, isn't the FACT that the MSM is NOT reporting on the story a prime example of bias in the media?
As I now understand it, the NB staff rejects an example of liberal bias in education but according to their Mission Statement, would welcome a piece on the failure of the MSM to report it. Sooo...had you the foresight to begin your piece with "The MSM have so far failed to report that a University of Toledo senior administrator was fired because...", then the NB staff would have been okay with the piece.
Note to NB staff: What is wrong with this picture?????
I agree with bayshoreman - WTH's article is very appropriate
May 14, 2008 - 22:28 ET by Dee BunkI'm disappointed that they don't think it is. I think the bias in Education is a big part of the problem and goes hand in hand with media bias. The media are in fact educated by these very people.
This story is all about media and their bias. They should have took the University to task with tough questions about free speech on University campuses.
Warner, I am still glad you posted this...
May 14, 2008 - 22:36 ET by R D Helm...even if it didn't pass "muster" with the NB staffers.
And who is to say that many of the head-full-of-mush students currently being brainwashed by the actions of this freedom-hating "educator" will not wind up working in the MSM at some point down the road?
Post on.