The bill in Colorado to protect university students from discrimination based on their religious or political views is moving ahead. A professor attending the hearing, unwittingly (literally), did his utmost to ensure its passage.

Ian Van Buskirk, a junior at the University of Colorado at Boulder, urged the House Education Committee to pass the measure (House Bill 1315) to discourage professors he says discriminate against students for their political views.

As he walked away from the witness table, Metro State philosophy professor Tim Gould walked up to him and said something as they stood nose-to-nose. Van Buskirk backed away, saying "Do you want to put that into the record?"

Majority Leader Keith King, R-Colorado Springs, saw the exchange and asked both come back to the table. Van Buskirk told committee members that Gould used profanity and threatened to sue him in court. Gould denied swearing.

"I said, 'Send me a chilling message and I'll see you in court'," Gould said.

The committee later sent the bill to the full House for debate on a 6-5 votes, with GOP lawmakers voting yes and all the no votes coming from Democrats.

King said the exchange proves Colorado needs to do something to protect students from professors who inject their views into the classroom. Rep. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, agreed.

What a jerk. Such a bill seems rather unnecessary and more a symbolic gesture from the legislature. But, a professor like this makes the bill appear more necessary than one might suppose.