Posted on 09/19/2001 4:09:02 AM PDT by Moonman62
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - While many Americans display patriotic messages in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks, librarians at one Florida university have been hushed.
Library Director Cathy Hoeth told her staff not to wear "I'm proud to be an American" stickers because they might offend the 200 foreign students at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.
That policy may violate the staff's rights to free speech, said Randall Marshall, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida,
"The problem is that employees don't give up their constitutional rights merely because they're in their work place," Marshall told the Naples Daily News. "There is a balance to be struck here between the right of individuals to express themselves and the orderly operation of the public employer's business."
Hoeth said staff members could put the stickers on computers or in their cubicles. But she asked them not to wear them at the reference desk where the stickers could offend library users.
"We're doing everything we can to meet FGCU's standards of civility and tolerance," Hoeth said. "As a librarian, I want the highest respect for everyone coming to the desk."
She prefers staff wear ribbons or flags without printed words on them, said Provost Brad Bartel.
The policy was a "judgment call" by the library director, Bartel said, because the school had no previous policies on this issue.
Being proud to be American is deemed offensive to foreigners? Liberals are nuts.
"Even if they were to slit my throat with a boxcutter, I'd still respect them."
Library Director Cathy Hoeth told her staff not to wear "I'm proud to be an American" stickers because they might offend the 200 foreign students at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.
Too damn far !! We must not lest this kind of action stand !!
Now let's pause for a commercial break
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FReegards
This IS the United States of America, we have a flag! That flag is flown any and everywhere in this nation and many places throughout the entire world.
If seeing our flag "offends" someone, then bigawd, go back to your country!
Time to let them know what we think. email link.
city web site: city web site
Nukem
Many liberals may be stupid, but there are a few who know exactly what they're doing: working to destroy the unique American spirit and concepts of liberty under law.
A caller into the Fox morning show just mentioned this incident.
Mr. Mayor,
Your director of libraries must have taken a course on how to get under peoples skin and keep them from visiting your city.
"FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - While many Americans display patriotic messages in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks, librarians at one Florida university have been hushed. Library Director Cathy Hoeth told her staff not to wear "I'm proud to be an American" stickers because they might offend the 200 foreign students at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers."
This woman has managed to put your city on the Freerepublic.com news cast.
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3ba87cce6f68.htm
Let me see if I understand, the next thing the city will do is change their motto to: "Thanks for visiting, now, GO HOME! ".
You can be assured that we will give your city a wide berth in our travels through the fine state of Florida.
my name and family
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