Irony

Questions from the justices this week made it clear that the Supreme Court will side with military recruiters by forcing universities to forfeit federal aid if they restrict recruiting because of the Pentagon’s policies on gays. The court evidently believes that, while universities might have a First Amendment right not to comply with an arm of government that violates the universities’ policies against discrimination, Congress also has a right to retaliate by denying the colleges billions of dollars in federal support.

In the past, the federal government has threatened to withhold aid or tax-exempt status to compel institutions to stop discriminating against, for instance, blacks or women’s athletic programs. Members of Congress opposed to discrimination in all its forms should make sure this blunt but effective weapon is never again used to limit the rights of any Americans. (source)