Whatever Happened To Free Speech?

Yesterday’s Baltimore Sun reported that Dr. Ben Carson has stepped down as the commencement speaker at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

The article reports:

The withdrawal came less than a week after medical school Dean Paul B. Rothman chastised Carson for his comments and met with graduating students concerned that the famed physician was an inappropriate commencement speaker.

This is the statement that caused the controversy:

“Marriage is between a man and a woman,” Carson said during the television appearance. “No group, be they gays, be they NAMBLA, be they people who believe in bestiality, it doesn’t matter what they are — they don’t get to change the definition.”

Dr. Carson is accused of comparing homosexuals to members of the North American Man/Boy Love Association, a pedophile advocacy group, and those who engage in bestiality. He has since apologized for the above comment, stating, “Although I do believe marriage is between a man and a woman, there are much less offensive ways to make that point,” he continued. “I hope all will look at a lifetime of service over some poorly chosen words.”

The article also reports:

Carson also stepped down as speaker for the Johns Hopkins University School of Education diploma ceremony. New speakers have not been chosen for either commencement address.

On January 30, 2012, the New York Times reported that General William Boykin, an honored graduate of West Point, was told that his invitation to speak at West Point was rescinded due to his views on Islam and Christianity.

These are not isolated incidents. We are silencing people who have made major contributions to our society because they do not practice political correctness. This is viewpoint discrimination–it you do not agree with the prevailing ideology, those in charge will not let you speak. Dr Carson is a brilliant surgeon with an inspiring story of success due to hard work and old-fashioned values. He has a lot to add to the public debate on a number of issues, but the young people graduating from his alma mater will be protected from his ‘radical’ ideas.

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