(As mail2blogger appears to not want to post my email from Monday morning, I guess I’ll have to do it the old fashioned way:)

Legislation that would restrict what university professors could say in their classrooms was introduced yesterday in Ohio.

Judging from reactions in other states where similar bills have been considered, controversy won’t be far behind.

Marion Sen. Larry A. Mumper’s “academic bill of rights for higher education” would prohibit instructors at public or private universities from “persistently” discussing controversial issues in class or from using their classes to push political, ideological, religious or anti-religious views.

Senate Bill 24 also would prohibit professors from discriminating against students based on their beliefs and keep universities from hiring, firing, promoting or giving tenure to instructors based on their beliefs.

Mumper, a Republican, said many professors undermine the values of their students because “80 percent or so of them (professors) are Democrats, liberals or socialists or card-carrying Communists” who attempt to indoctrinate students.

“These are young minds that haven’t had a chance to form their own opinions,” Mumper said. “Our colleges and universities are still filled with some of the ’60s and ’70s profs that were the anti-American group. They’ve gotten control of how to give people tenure and so the colleges continue to move in this direction.”

### – [full story from the Dispatch]

Posted because I find this… well, hilarious wouldn’t be that far wrong. Do I think it’s remotely likely to pass? Nope. Do I think it’s representative of the Republican party in general? Nope. But am I shocked that that’s where it’s coming from?

Nope.

[via people have the power]