Strong, decisive leadership


University President Michael Rao was right to refer to the person(s) responsible for recent anti-gay chalkings in the Pearce and Anspach courtyards as cowards.

He was right to call the chalkings an act of "repugnant behavior."

But he also was right to say the chalkings are protected under the provisions of free speech.

No matter how offensive the chalkings may be to members of the CMU community, the university can do nothing about it, as it affords its students right to free inquiry, expression, and beliefs consistent with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

It's truly unfortunate these chalkings appeared on our campus. But what's worse is we don't know who did it.

If the person(s) responsible have the courage to write anti-gay messages for all of CMU to see, then he or she should have the courage to come forward and admit it.

We may never know who did this.

But it was good to see President Rao wasted no time in taking a firm stance on the matter.

While he doesn't have the power to punish anyone, he did put the cowards in their place.

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