In a new column at the Fiscal Times, Ed Morrissey notes that what we’re seeing on college campuses right now is reminiscent of a darker time in world history.

Yale, Mizzou and Others—Training a Generation of Proto-Fascists

After a claim that someone had created a fecal swastika on a bathroom wall – another claim that has not been substantiated – a student activist demanded that Mizzou president Tim Wolfe “acknowledge his “white male privilege,” recognize that systems of oppression exist, and provide a verbal commitment to fulfilling Concerned Students 1-9-5-0’s demands,” or else the group would organize the campus to push Wolfe out. When some members of Mizzou’s football team (with a record this season of 4-5) threatened to boycott their own games, Wolfe threw in the towel.

Caving to demands reminiscent of a Soviet show trial was bad enough, but what followed was worse. Mizzou students demonstrated anyway after the resignation, and the media flocked to the campus to cover the story. But reporters were prevented from covering the unrest as students at the public university decided to block their access, even if it meant shoving and pushing a young journalist. Mizzou is one of a handful of universities offering a first rate journalism program.

That reputation was tarnished when faculty members joined the students barring reporters from covering the protesters. Melissa Click, an assistant professor of communications who ironically had a courtesy appointment in Mizzou’s school of journalism, joined a crowd of students who decided to enforce a “safe space” from the media when a student photojournalist approached. When Tim Tai stood his ground and tried to cover the story, Click called out for help in physically removing Tai. “Who wants to help me get this reporter out of here?” a video captured Click yelling. “I need some muscle over here.”

To paraphrase an old Monty Python routine, come and see the violence inherent in campus progressivism. Academia no longer values an open and robust exchange of ideas, a pursuit of truth, and adherence to actual tolerance. Actual commitment to learning would have prompted scrutiny of extraordinary claims and discussion of differing points of view.