Todd referenced this story in the Marquette Warrior about a dental student who was suspened for some comments he made about a professor and the university on his blog.

Personally, I did not get to read the blog by the student, but based on the excerpts from the Marquette Warrior like this one, I'm inclined to think that the blogger/student was just ranting w/out thinking of the consequences. Not a wise idea on his part, but an EASY mistake to make when you forget, even for a moment, that other bloggers, and non-bloggers who read are HUMAN FUCKING BEINGS.

This VERY TOPIC was the point of much discussion yesterday at LesBlogs 2.0, largely due to Mena Trott's opening remarks on civility in blogging and Ben Metcalfe's staunch difference of opinion. I'm inclinded to side with Mena, but it's like saying 'can't we all get along'. Which, as evidenced by certain world events like war, is not always a strong enough argument. People are going to be nasty, and that's the way it is...or not. Really, in the aggregate, bloggers are a helpful lot. I couldn't help but notice the 'change the world through words' sentiment at the conference. I've drunk the kool-aid and believe it.

As this Marquette student learned, and as evidenced by Ben's rightfully standing up for his position, if you're going to blog about something, take responsibility for your words, your actions and the consequences, intended or unindented, that result from putting your thoughts onto the permenant web.

I think everyone has a right to their opinion, but this kid should have known better.