
- Anonymous
It's almost a sure thing that all of us have heard this quote although the origination of it is not known, but it does have a significant amount of truth in it. It refers to unintended consequences, those troublesome things that come about from events that were not planned and not expected. Nowhere today is it more accurate than describing the happenings on the University of Missouri main campus in Columbia. Affectionately known as Mizzou by students and alums alike, the school has been thrown into turmoil by the very people who are supposed to be providing a quality education for young adults preparing for life in the real world.
Why do I say this? Well, it's really quite simple. The very professors and administrators tasked with leading and providing a quality education under the very name of the state where they operate have taught their ideological views, propaganda and dogma in the name of truth. What's more, the "instruction" is delivered in an environment where differing opinion and yes, factual data to the contrary, is ridiculed at best or banned at worst and college administration has largely gone along with the professors, largely because their positions are filled with personnel of a similar view.
Traditional education where students of differing views would meet in a non-combative setting and allowed to carry on debate and discourse is a thing of the past. Speakers and students who are not of the liberal persuasion are shouted down if they stand for what they believe. One of the critical requirements for a full education, open and enthusiastic debate with differing ideas and opinions, has been eliminated. And sadly, Mizzou is not alone, for this trend has been ongoing for years while those footing the bill were either not aware or purposefully kept in the dark.
This is not the case in all schools, as there are some which remain independent of government and accordingly operate in that fashion. Schools like Hillsdale College or Liberty University are just two of many private schools with high standards for educational excellence come to mind. As an example, conservative Liberty invited Bernie Sanders to visit and speak in a forum on campus which was received cordially and fairly. Can you imagine in today's madness a Ted Cruz speaking at Missouri. Not likely, folks.
Can this be changed? Yes, but it will be difficult. I do think that if alumni organizations require freedom of expression for continued gift giving, that would go a long way to turning the corner. A good example was at The College of William and Mary a few years ago where the President decided that the Christian Cross should be removed from the Wren Building, an historic facility on campus. After the uproar from past graduates, he quickly realized that he had stepped in quicksand and rescinded his decison.
And it was a positive sign at Mizzou that Professor Melissa Click, the wild eyed "professor" shown in the picture with this commentary, was forced to resign after calling for the crowd to provide "muscle" to remove an unwanted reporter. Please tell us, Professor Click, what did you have to hide? Was it your agitation for tyranny and hate at a time when you were complaining about hate that you didn't want to be revealed? Ironic, isn't it?
But despite all of the malarkey instead of education going on, there is a bit of silver lining in the events. For despite the turnout of agitators and protesters, many not even knowing why they were protesting, the vast majority of Mizzou students were busy with classes and studies getting themselves to take their places in the world after college. These students will surely be better prepared for the workforce after college than the protesters, don't you think? After all, a degree in engineering, physics or chemistry will certainly prepare them for the needs of the world better than learning how to master underwater basket weaving or some other non-speciality.
Like so many of the problems which the Left has caused on the road to socialism and anarchy, it's time for the taxpayers and the tuition payers to take America's colleges back. What say you?