plus ca change

Submitted by rafi marom (United States), Feb 2, 2007 at 20:07

Dear Dr. Pipes:

Without reading anything about the event itself, why I am not surprised? Those of us of a certain age remember how anti-Vietnam critics disrupted pro-war speakers on college campuses. These folks argue from the position that since they are fighting bigotry or racism or whatever and you support the opposite, they are justified in shouting you down because you have been found guilty of being a bigot in their kangaroo court. I am glad to read that you front-loaded your speech with your arguments.

In the future, make certain that those truly committed to free speech and real academic freedom are in attendance, as well as non-campus groups, mature and sympathetic in their beliefs to you. Also, demand of the campus authorities that they provide ample police protection to remove any disruptive forces and that those people be prosecuted. Right now, those terrorists are suffering no penalties. Once their degrees and futures are threatened by the force of law, it may cause perhaps more than a few of them to back off and allow for civil discourse.

All the best to you, Dr. Pipes and remember that I think it was your father who fought the lonely battle against Soviet Communism. Will you be speaking in New York in the future?

Rafi Marom

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