After watching FIRE president Greg Lukianoff’s excellent appearance on Hannity & Colmes last night talking about the Maricopa County Community College professor who is about to be fired for emailing George Washington’s Thanksgiving address, I was struck once again by the fact that the university charged him with harassment for sending the message. On the one hand, it’s such a stunningly stupid charge that I’m amazed it happened. On the other hand, I don’t think many people (aside from those of us who follow these things) realize that many academics get absolutely enraged when confronted with mere links to conservative websites (so much for the marketplace of ideas). Of course, this feeling of rage is evidence only that they are somewhat unhinged not that they’ve been harassed — our rights are not so fragile as to depend on the unbalanced reactions of radicals — but it is important to understand the mindset of the complainers. Our nation’s victim-worship has taught many of even our most educated citizens that if they are upset that it must be someone else’s fault, and that someone else must be punished. We all need a bit thicker skin. Democracy and debate can be a pretty tough business (though getting links in your inbox should hardly give anyone the vapors).