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I still don't understand why Jones is being fined anything at all. Do we have free speech or don't we?

“Covid” became the Great Event of Our Times between January and March 2020, meaning that the world’s best and brightest have now had almost five years to prove their academic or scientific importance.

If a faculty meeting like this occurred at any college, the colleges’ public relations staffers didn’t send out a press release. (Note: The names are made up.)

Dean of College School X (Let’s call him John): “Esteemed colleagues, as you all know, a killer respiratory virus is said to be spreading throughout the world and the public is counting on us to tell them the truth about this virus and how society should respond to it.”

Science Professor Albert: “John, first, thank you for calling this very important faculty meeting. The first question that occurs to me is what if the virus isn’t deadly? What if Fauci and Birx are inflating the alleged risks?”

John: “Well, that’s what we need to find out.”

A professor named Tom asks a question: “Can’t we perform some inquiries - use all our collective expertise - and find out if the risk is perhaps wildly inflated?”

President of University: “Well, Tom, that’s why we’re here. The truth is the truth and all of us are committed to finding it and reporting it to the people. That’s why we became professors in the first place.”

In this imaginary scenario, the room might explode with exclamations of “Hear! Hear!” Without question, a “search for truth” is what motivated these professors to become professors.

Alas, In the Real Academic World, here’s what would have been said:
“… What the hell?”

“… Are you crazy, man?”

“… Do you know who pays our salaries and provides us all these great benefits?’

“… Aren’t we in these positions to support the policies of the Establishment and our benefactors?”

Chorus from those in the room:
“…. Right!”

“…. Guys, we’ve got a good deal going here. Why risk it?”

“… How are we going to keep getting grants and getting our papers published if we challenge views we’re not supposed to challenge?”

“… John, I must ask why you even called this meeting. Please tell me nobody is taking minutes.”