Could Seinfeld Be Banned From College Campuses

There was a Seinfeld episode in the 1990's featuring the character of George Costanza. At the time he was an executive with the New York Yankees. His immediate boss asked him to entertain representatives of the Houston Astros in New York. The Astros sent three fellas and they stereotypes of what we perceive as true Texans; brash, loud, hard drinking and vulgar.

While sitting in a restaurant these guys flipped their two most popular words and phrases. They called everyone bastards and son of a bitches on a whim. It was done in jest. Of course George was initially shocked but being the joiner he was he immediately let down his guard and became a part of the banter.

Have you ever heard the phrase 'been there, done that'? If a buddy tells you a story about how he seriously embarrassed himself at a party instead of say, "Hey, I once did the same thing" you would follow with been there, done that.

Everybody is an expert at an aspect of life in a particular area. I have always considered myself to be an outstanding secondary high school teacher. In my mind teaching involved more than the material to be taught.

It's good that I've retired since I, most likely, have been forced out. My time in the classroom included the instruction of values, how to treat other people, respect for parents, teachers and respect for the students themselves.

Flash forward to today. There's a story out of up state New York from Monroe Community College. The Dean of the school banned any for publications from the school newspaper based on the headline:

The story in question was titled, “MCC’s Bastard Campus,” and covered the renovations to the Sibley building, which is being used by the college until another space becomes ready in the upcoming fall.


Bastard is not a word to be used in the newspaper for, you guessed, offending others.

Evidently, freedom of speech under the First Amendment doesn't apply.

Look out Seinfeld. You're next.