Disappointmints




A breath mint called Disappointmints, marketed by the Unemployed Philosophers Guild, has been pulled from the shelves of the University of Tennessee bookstore because a state legislator was offended.

State representative Joe Armstrong, a Democrat, heard about the mints and immediately went and "had a conversation" with David Kent, the store director, who pulled the mints off the shelf.

Armstrong also said that since the mints were not educational material, there was no breach of the First Amendment.

"With a book or something of that nature, then fine, but that (the mints) is sort of a discretionary product they have," Armstrong said. "It wasn't viewpoint neutral. Very specifically insulting to the president."

Margie Nichols, vice chancellor for communication at UT, agreed that there was no violation of free speech and said the bookstore is run as business with discretion over what products to sell.

Others disagree, however, pointing to Armstrong's involvement as a form of censorship.

"Let me make very clear, there is no candy exception to the First Amendment," said Glenn Reynolds, who teaches constitutional law at UT.

I agree with Instapundit. Heh.

[Add.] Confounding Rep. Armstrong's intentions of removing availability of Disappointmints, news of his action has produced a flood of orders to the manufacturer.

The maker's website now announces, "DUE TO OVERWHELMING ORDERS, THESE MINTS WILL SHIP IN SEPTEMBER!" Also, since yesterday the price of the mints has been increased from $2.99 to $5.

The Unemployed Philosophers Guild should send a thank you note to Rep. Armstrong.

Companion post at TJR.