Tuesday, April 15, 2014

South Carolina's 'Axis of Jackasses' threatens higher education over lgbt issues

The controversy in South Carolina with regards to legislators feuding with two state universities over lgbt-themed issues is beginning to resemble a cross between a Greek tragedy and bizarre existentialist play.

Let's recap - SC legislators are in a loud, very unnecessary snit with the College of Charleston and the University of South Carolina Upstate over the assigning of two gay-themed books to students and a now-canceled lecture which the legislators claim would have "recruited" students to be gay.

One can pinpoint the legislators who caused the controversy and who is making the most noise. First there is State Sen. Mike Fair who has, throughout the controversy, insulted lgbt South Carolinians:

Mike Fair
 (Mike) Fair said in a TV interview this week that Upstate students needed to be exposed to gay-themed materials and programs like "they do skinheads and radical Islam. They don't need to be exposed to it."

In another interview, Fair made vague comments about the so-called dangers of gay sex

Then there is State Sen. Lee Bright, who is talking about "across the board" cuts:

Lee Bright
"There may be across-the-board cuts. We continue to increase spending at these universities, but they need to do something to control costs. Maybe they have some resources they're not in need of. People pay more attention to how many football games the university wins rather than the exact details of the education being provided. I don't think people are paying close enough attention."

Bright, by the way, is running against United States Sen. Lindsey Graham in an upcoming primary.  How convenient the controversy seems to be for him.

Last, but certainly not least, is Rep. Garry Smith who is using the controversy for more practical matters, i.e. fundraising:

Garry Smith
 I've recently taken a bold stand that has put me squarely in the crosshairs of some of the most intolerant people in American today — the far-left militant homosexual community...

There is a concerted effort to push anti-American, anti-Christian, and non-traditional values onto our children at their most intellectually vulnerable stages — as they're learning in our public schools and universities. I've been watching this phenomenon unfold for years and, finally, a recent event pushed me to the breaking point.

Oh well. President Bush had his "Axis of Evil," so now South Carolina has its "Axis of Jackasses."

The irony is that on the campuses in question, students and campus officials seem to think the entire controversy is just plain dumb. USC Upstate Chancellor Tom Moore told the State newspaper that the issue seems to be an off-campus controversy.

In that same article, a senior, Daniel Francis, labeled the three legislators as not well-informed about the issues they are raising a fuss about.

I think Mr. Francis has just won the award for the most obvious observation thus far in 2014.

Hat tip to The State newspaper.


Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/04/10/3380480/usc-upstate-chancellor-labelling.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/04/10/3380480/usc-upstate-chancellor-labelling.html#storylink=cpy

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