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We love free speech…unless it’s from a Republican
By rawhide | October 19, 2007
The Columbia University student newspaper, the Columbia Spectator, editorializes about the impending visit of David Horowitz to campus:
The fall semester at Columbia has seen more than its fair share of polarizing events, from Jim Gilchrist’s proposed visit, to President Ahmadinejad’s speech, to the recent spate of bias incidents across campus. Over the past month, many students have expressed frustration at the souring climate at Columbia, and some have rightly criticized the administration—whether by its public response or frequent passivity—for failing to allay such concerns. Next week will mark another such challenge to University, as the Columbia University College Republicans welcome David Horowitz to campus to celebrate “Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week.” While we recognize the right of the Republicans to invite him, we believe that this event is intended to drive a political wedge rather than engender meaningful debate and hope that those who oppose Mr. Horowitz’s views do not respond in kind…
…Yet Horowitz has questioned how a campus community that invited the head of an oppressive regime intent on developing nuclear weapons could refuse him audience on its campus. Such an argument ignores that the World Leaders Forum acts a podium for presidents and prime ministers, not an endorsement of their beliefs or practices. It is one thing to invite a world leader to campus to share his or her views on a variety of global issues, but quite another to celebrate incendiary pundits that generate fear and loathing instead of meaningful discourse.
Many students have expressed distaste for Horowitz and his rhetoric, decrying the event and questioning his right to appear on campus. Indeed, an entire week devoted to denouncing the values and ideas of a particular community—if not in name, then in practice—seems unproductive and is unlikely to offer much insight or change many minds…
…The administration, too, must recognize that this event will be held as odious by a significant portion of the student body, and it should respond by reviving the type of discussion forums held in the wake of recent events. In particular, members of Muslim community on campus—many of whom have already grappled with the backlash towards Ahmadinejad’s visit and the fear provoked graffiti incident at the School of International and Public Affairs—must now face further insult in the broad and reckless denouncements of Islam that characterize this “awareness week.” Instead of looking for ways to divide our community further, we should look for ways to create honest discourse that is open and welcoming to all members of the community.
Now read what the same newspaper said after the visit by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad:
In recent days, Columbia’s administration and students have been heavily criticized for their willingness to open the campus up to a controversial figure and polemic ideas. Despite the media circus and the immense controversy surrounding Monday’s speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the university handled itself with the courage and philosophical integrity befitting a prestigious institution. Today, there is much for the members of the University community to be proud of…
…Now that President Ahmadinejad has spoken, our work has just begun. Over the next few days, students, professors and administrators must think critically about what we have learned from him—particularly his provocative thoughts on the plight of the Palestinians, Iran’s nuclear program, and how Western imperialism has helped shape the Middle East. Monday’s event shows how dearly we value free speech at Columbia. Now, we must come together to prove that we also value thoughtful discussion of the ideas raised during those 90 minutes, no matter how reprehensible we find the speaker.
They say they didn’t like Ahmadinejad, but they sure are glad that he came. They hate Horowitz, and question why he is coming. Sure. Let’s support the right to speak of a brutal Iranian dictator who has threatened to wipe another country off the face of the earth and is actively developing nuclear weapons, but let’s condemn the right to speak of those who are concerned about the threat of extreme religious terrorists. Makes sense to me.
Only in America. We at CR Nation support the freedom of speech, even when it comes from hypocritical liberals.
Topics: terrorism, ahmadinejad, free speech |
October 19th, 2007 at 9:39 am
hypocritical liberals….Rawhide, you must be referring to our good friend Stephen Shepard….
Remember, the young man who swears that if A, then B, then C; that B must have been the solution to the problem caused by A and the reason C came about….
Remember, the young man who thinks that GOP economic policies caused the two major stock market crashes simply because they happened during GOP Presidential administrations.
Oh, Stephen - you are the corny one!
October 19th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Futher evidence of why the Democrats must NOT be allowed to hold elected office.
Thank you for your time.