I don’t know about you, but I find this shirt sort of funny – in a sick sort of way, of course.

What I don't find at all amusing is the over-reaction of the universities involved, and the chilling of speech protected by the First Amendment.

Texas Tech has banned the sale of a T-shirt bearing the likeness of Michael Vick hanging the dog mascot of rival Texas A&M.

The red and black shirts, with text that says "VICK 'EM" on the front — in an apparent reference to the Aggies' slogan "Gig 'em" — was created by a Tech student who was trying to sell them before Saturday's game in Lubbock.

The back of the shirt shows a football player wearing the No. 7 Vick jersey holding a rope with an image of the mascot Reveille at the end of a noose. Vick, who faces up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a federal dogfighting charge, is suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

Tech officials announced the fraternity that sold the shirts was suspended temporarily and will face judicial review for allegedly violating the solicitation section of the students' code of conduct. The school said it wouldn't allow the sale on campus of items that are "derogatory, inflammatory, insensitive, or in such bad taste."

No more shirts are being produced, the school said in a release.

A&M officials, in a statement, thanked Tech administrators for "their response and action regarding this matter."

Now I realize that the Aggies take Miss Reveille very seriously. She goes to class with a cadet handler, and if the dog barks during class the professor is required to dismiss the students. They bury her predecessors in sight of the field, so they can still watch the games. But doesnÂ’t being so offended by a t-shirt go a bit too far?

And for the school to suspend a frat and hold hearings about a shirt that is a tastelessly satirical parody is a bit of a stretch. After all, the First Amendment does protect such speech – and as a state school, Texas Tech would appear to lack the authority to take any action against this constitutionally protected activity.

If anyone knows where I can get a couple in 3X, let me know.

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Posted by: Greg at 01:17 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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