Michigan Law's Lesson in How Not to Treat a Student Body

Respecting someone's right to have an opinion is fundamentally different than respecting that opinion. Inviting someone who votes for constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage to speak at our graduation? That's an example of the latter.

I am sad to say that I attended a meeting this morning where I proposed a walkout of my own commencement ceremony. Our Dean, Evan Caminker, oblivious to the needs of his own students, has invited Rob Portman to speak at our Senior Day. Rob Portman is a distinguished alumnus of our fine institution, the junior Senator from Ohio, and, of course, a raging homophobe. Senator Portman:

1. Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage.
   
2. Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC.
   
3. Supports a continued ban on gay people serving in the military.
   

Andrew Shirvell Fired, How Long Until the Frivolous Lawsuit?

In a victory for the rational, the tolerant, and opponents of First-Amendment sloganeering, Andrew Shirvell was fired from the Michigan Attorney General's office on Monday. I wrote about this last month, when the controversy blew up in the first place. As I said then:

His boss, Attorney General Mike Cox has lightly condemned the behavior as showing "immaturity and a lack of judgment", but also saying that becuase it's not on work time, Shirvell has a First Amendment right to say these things. In reaction to the order from Gov. Granholm to suspend him, Cox says: ""I don't know why she's so freaking irresponsible. ... she went to Harvard Law School," Cox said. "The civil service rules are a huge shield for free speech and she knows that." Cox's views reflects a broad misconception about the First Amendment held by, I'd argue, most US citizens.

What does Mike Cox think the First Amendment means?

A big story this week has been the absurd and patently offensive antics of Andrew Shirvell, the Michigan Assistant Attorney General who is viciously attacking Chris Armstrong, the openly gay twenty-one year old President of the University of Michigan Student Assembly. To get that point across loud and clear, he's an AAG, employed by the State of Michigan, attacking a twenty-one year old gay kid. Shirvell has attacked Armstrong's "homosexual agenda," posted a pciture with a swastika pasted over it, called him a “racist, elitist liar,” and claimed that he’s “Satan’s representative on the student assembly.” He also has had, for six months, a blog dedicated to attacking Armstrong, much of which, if actually believed, very likely makes him liable in a defamation suit (no link - google it if you want).

So, despite this truly despicable behavior, Shirvell is still an Assistant Attorney General. Though as of this morning, he was apparently suspended (update: it's apparently a "leave of absence"). His boss, Attorney General Mike Cox has lightly condemned the behavior as showing "immaturity and a lack of judgment", but also saying that becuase it's not on work time, Shirvell has a First Amendment right to say these things. In reaction to the order from Gov. Granholm to suspend him, Cox says: ""I don't know why she's so freaking irresponsible. ... she went to Harvard Law School," Cox said. "The civil service rules are a huge shield for free speech and she knows that." Cox's views reflects a broad misconception about the First Amendment held by, I'd argue, most US citizens - one which I'd like to clear up.