After University of Florida student Andrew Meyer was subdued with a Taser during John Kerry’s speech at a forum, The Rocky Mountain Collegian printed a bold editorial that simply read: Taser this … F—- BUSH. This is the view of the Collegian editorial board. The expletive was spelled out.

Because of the obscene statement, it has been reported that The Collegian has lost $30,000 in advertising revenue, which helps fund the newspaper staff’s paychecks, and employees could receive a 10 percent pay cut.

What a deal.

The Collegian’s editor in chief, David McSwane, defends the decision, saying it was to highlight the importance of free speech and it was making a statement about First Amendment rights.

Well, a statement was definitely made, but it was an irresponsible one.

The words are meant to convey a powerful statement, but they don’t go much further than mere shock value.

Deciding to run this editorial was poor judgment on the editorial board’s part, and the fact that no one protested the idea of printing the profanity is equally inexcusable. Just because the right to free speech exists doesn’t mean its limits should be pushed in order to get a rise out of people.

If such a brash statement is going to be made, then make sure it’s relevant and be ready to deal with the possible repercussions, such as a pay cut. The message the newspaper was trying to get across is irrelevant, given that Bush had nothing to do with Meyer’s situation.

The Collegian editorial board has not only tarnished the view of the professional quality of the newspaper, but the backlash could negatively affect those who weren’t even directly involved, including other staff members.

Exercising the right of free speech is encouraged and should be utilized, but using it in such an irresponsible and unnecessary manner makes it hard to sympathize with the decision to run the editorial.

However, McSwane shouldn’t be fired for his actions — no matter how poorly thought out and executed. Despite the irrationality of the content, exercising the First Amendment is still a basic American right.

Given that it is a basic right, it is one that should not be abused or used for flawed reasoning. Yes, they had the right to publish what they wanted. Although they had the right, the way they went about using it was impetuous.

Newspapers should exercise this right to free speech in a professional manner and should use it as a way to inform and enlighten — not to shake up the populous and see how far the First Amendment actually goes.