The wisdom of Solomon
The schools offer a free-speech defense, but in reality they are suppressing free speech themselves by silencing others and preventing freedom of association by banning contact between students and recruiters. It is the rough equivalent of a bookstore's refusing to sell books with which it disagrees. The store may have the right to do so, but it's a tacky tactic that shows little respect for allowing people to make their own choices.
Law schools that respected students would allow military recruiters to speak. They would encourage those who disagree with armed forces policy to picket, boycott, or argue for an end to "don't ask, don't tell." Instead, the schools are teaching future lawyers that if you disagree with anyone, it's best to ban or censor. Unfortunately, the campuses are fond of imposing their own version of contested cultural norms, instead of encouraging free argument over what those norms should be.
Another factor besides gay rights needs to be talked about--the disdain, if not hatred, for the military that is very strong among academics and the elite left. It preceded the "don't ask, don't tell" controversy, and it would surely still be felt on campuses if that policy were revoked. The elite left versus the military is an important and long-running struggle in the culture war. Let's discuss this plainly and argue it out.
Correction: One of the Natalie Maines quotes that appeared in my column last week is bogus. She never said, "I realize I'm just supposed to sing and look cute," and she never accused her detractors of "cheating on their wives or driving around in their pickup trucks shooting small animals." This quote was an Internet hoax or satire that I should have caught but didn't. My apologies to Ms. Maines and to readers.
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