That hypnotic sound of calming waters is just the swoosh of society as it swirls ’round the bowl.

I do not subscribe to the concept of “hate” speech. Hate is an emotion, and speaking one’s thoughts — whether they be for or against a particular idea — it not inherently emotional. Secondly, while speaking (and while not), all people should be free to feel emotion as they please, including that of the negative variety.

As for the liberal perspective on hate, if the Left wants to insist women can do what they want with their bodies, wouldn’t that include the feelings which exist within? (Leftists and liberals are different — JINX! I get to punch your arm.)

Either way, I’m not buyin’, but now there’s a new Black Hat in town. And his name is…mean speech.

He may not be all the way hateful, but he’s a meanie.

Thus, the University of Montana — an institution of higher learning, where young adult skulls of mush can explore the open debating of all ideas — has banned mean words.

If college students are treated like children, at what point does the new generation become adults? If 40 is the new 30, is retirement the new Finally Get a Grip?

If you attend classes at U of M, “grip” is something with which you needn’t concern yourself.

Check out the school’s official Statement of Responsibility for its attendees:

All members of the campus community have the personal responsibility to promote an atmosphere of civility in which the free exchange of ideas and opinions can flourish. We do so by learning from individual and collective differences and respecting every person.

Okay…

Here are some directives from the Statement’s “Civility Standards”:

Trust what others say is genuine and honor their word.

Right…

And:

Talk to, not about, others.

Remember that, children. And share your Play-Do.

And this:

While discussions may become heated and passionate, they should never become mean, nasty or vindictive in spoken or printed or emailed words, facial expressions, or gestures.

No nasty facial expressions allowed!!!!

University of Montana has been “awarded” the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education’s (FIRE) “Speech Code of the Month” for its wage against free expression, aka its commitment to civility.

The organization’s official statement, on its site, is as follows:

University of Montana has been given the speech code rating Red. A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech.

According to Laura Beltz (via The Daily Wire), policy reform program officer for FIRE, the Code is on course to squash 1st Amendment rights:

“Our concerns are not hypothetical — FIRE has reported on increasing instances of faculty members being investigated or even punished over speech that is deemed to have lacked civility. And even if these civility policies aren’t applied to punish protected speech in practice, they’re still likely to have a chilling effect on speech, as students reading the policy will self-censor and avoid controversial expression rather than taking that risk.

“It should consistently be remembered that all Montana Western employees and students are working under the following set of standards for the betterment of the University, its employees, and its students. It is the responsibility of each of us to live up to these standards. All of the expectations below apply to face-to-face as well as virtual interactions. This document is expected to be congruent with objectives of the 2013-23 Strategic Plan.”

Not too long ago, students K-12 just showed up and learned reading, writing, mathematics, science, history, and P.E. They pledged to the Flag and drank milk. They celebrated Christmas and Thanksgiving, and took a Christmas Break. Then they went to college and were challenged. The rules on campus were, essentially, Don’t Commit Crimes. That was pretty much it.

Today, academia gives us these:

• A cancellation of The Vagina Monologues because it excludes women who don’t possess vaginas (here)
• A teacher forced to quit because he believes in accurate pronouns (here)
• A banning of expensive coats because they’re unfair (here)
• A cancellation of a Disney musical because it’s racist (here)
• A barring of Chick-fil-A, against the literal vote of students, because it’s not politically “progressive” (here)

And around and around we go. If it doesn’t stop running, jiggle the handle.

Relevant RedState links in this article: here, here, here, here, and here.

See 3 more pieces from me: Alec Baldwin for president, real diversity, and who’s in the FBI.

Find all my RedState work here.

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