An article about Friday’s Board of Regents meeting appeared in Monday’s Daily Nebraskan. It’s an interesting read.
Students, regents clash at Friday board meeting - Daily Nebraskan
A University of Nebraska Board of Regents meeting got heated Friday after one student was declared out of order during the public comment portion of the meeting, and students left saying their First Amendment rights had been violated.
Were their First Amendment rights violated? You be the judge.
I will go out on a limb and say that their first amendment rights were not violated. You shouldn’t have free speech in this country if you are going to say stupid things and get out of line. The regents are trying to make our universities better and these students just can’t carry themselves with class. It is a shameful embarassment on my country for that I stand against the first amendment right to free speech, as most of my republican comrades would agree.
Timmy, you are just a piece of trash. How dare you speak against the ammendments of the U.S. Constitution. But I guess in an interesting paradox, you are allowed to speak out against the very ammendment that protects you. Timmy, people have died so we can speak our minds, don’t you dare try to erase the banner of freedom that thousands of men and women have sacraficed to protect. Don’t say stupid things Timmy. Follow your own advice.
P.S. You are awarded no points for your answer.
in case anyone hasn’t noticed, free speech (especially when it comes to student’s right to it) hasn’t been a high priority for administration, regents, etc lately. What’s next, our buttons? Our flyers? How about our rigths to assembly, petition, speech, and press… no more Critique, no more UNO Dems at this rate.
republicans need to realize that all the 5 parts of the 1st amendent have equal weight. Free speech and free relgion has equal footing in america, and if they let adminstrators ban groups like UNO Dems (the logical extension of Timmy’s argument about not being allowed to have free speech if you’re going to cause a controvery) then groups like Catholic ministries might be next.
“You shouldn’t have free speech in this country if you are going to say stupid things and get out of line.”
Chief, Timmy just invited you to delete his message.
I support the first amendment in that it won’t be taken for granted. There are many people who take it for granted and spout off very stupid things. It’s a privilege that has been fought for for many years. Of course I’m embarassed by the people who take the first amendment for granted and spout off stupid and far-out remarks. People need to think about what they’re going to say BEFORE they say it.
As for details, I don’t know what happened at the meeting, but those are my two cents.
Bill, the First Amendment IS granted.It is NOT a privilege that has been fought for for many years, it is a RIGHT. People who speak aren’t the ones taking their rights lightly, regardless of whether or not they are saying stupid things. Freedom of Speech is not something to be thrown out the window. There are a lot of idiots in the country who say a lot of stupid things, and frequently among them are those who think stupid people shouldn’t have the right to free speech - fully unaware of the irony of that statement.
What did that student say? Was he removed for what he said or was he removed for how he said it?
The 1st Amendment does not mean that there are no repercussions for poor and/or rude behavior.
Sounds like the kid had a little temper tantrum and is now crying ’cause he didn’t get his way.
The real world is full of consequences.
Okay, here’s the deal. I and another guy (A.J. Bohac) called to place our names on the speaking order fro the public forum portion of the meeting as the rules state. The Chairman, contrary to the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, the 1st Amendment and the Board’s own standing rules, arbitrarily said that only one of us would be allowed to speak thus denying my right to speak. I will spare you the legal explanation that solidifies my case. During the public forum after it was clear that the chairman was going to stand by his decision to silence the voice of a student, I made a simple objection. All I said was “Point of order Mr. Chairman. I herby object on the record, of your decision to infringe upon my right to free speech at this meeting. This issue constitutes prior restraint.” He declared me out of order and I sat down. All I did was place his decision on the record. Additionally, the Nebraska Open Meetings Act requires one to object at the very time that free speech is being infringed upon to preserve legal standing.
The Chairman has since publicly and privately admitted to me that he made a mistake and should have allowed me to speak. He has said that if he had to do over again he would have allowed me to speak, without question. We have experienced first hand many of the bullying tactics of the board. In absolutely no way have we ever been disruptive or disrespectful at any of the meetings and the Chairman has said that himself. My only objective was to state for the record that it is not acceptable to ignore the law as they were doing. I was merely standing for my fundamental right and to prevent such an infringement in the future. I hope this clears up some of the assumptions.
-Jeff Armour
Yep, sounds like the Chairman was wrong. Bureaucracies, particularly governmental ones, like to overstep their bounds. Government in general is infamous for it.
You did the right thing by calling him on it.
Congratulations to chad for getting his letter published in the OWH public pulse! Very well written chad, I think it encompasses what most of us believe needs to be said about the Hergert issue
Hergert was impeached by the Nebraska unicameral today by a close 25-22 vote. They got exactly the 25 votes needed. The matter now goes to trial before the Nebraska Supreme Court.