Posted on 10/24/2007 9:20:46 AM PDT by Fiji Hill
Listeners must discern among the riffraff
From the editors
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Opinion
Known for her mudslinging and immature name calling - she once called Al Gore a "total fag," like a bitter bully in the schoolyard - Ann Coulter comes to campus today as part of Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week, billed by its organizers as "the biggest conservative campus protest ever."
The controversial pundit, whose fame derives almost solely from appearances on cable news networks and a handful of inane, weightless books - is - if not a welcome speaker on our campus, at least a reflection of our willingness to let nearly any political viewpoint speak its case. By bringing such a polarizing figure as Coulter to our campus to voice her opinions, we reaffirm the freedom of expression that rests at the heart of our values. We must allow extreme or discomfiting views to be voiced in order to protect the core of our public discourse, and by extension the nation's covenant - the First Amendment of the Constitution. ,p>
But discourse does not necessarily mean one must stand by passively as a speaker like Coulter attempts to spread her virulent strain of hatred by grabbing sound bites on the evening news or headlines in the next day's paper. Discourse also means engaging opposition viewpoints through intelligent, in-depth questioning or even protest.
We ask students who attend Coulter's speech, which will be followed by a 30-minute Q-and-A, to challenge her to defend her views without resorting to cheap insults. Asking questions filled with a depth of understanding and nuance will show our university to be the place of higher learning we purport it to be. Intelligence can combat the ignorance with which pundits like Coulter fill our collective culture in ways no insult or personal attack ever can. Coulter's opponents could even carry signs expressing their distaste for her views, allowing her to speak - and in the process supporting the free expression we hold so dear - while proving her hateful message echoes only to the edge of the room.
Such steps allow students, as active, engaged citizens, to participate in the discourse on which our democracy is founded. But such a free flow of words permits extreme views alongside those more moderate, and we, as listeners, must fight hateful or hurtful messages by employing a discerning ear.
One of the reasons I posted this article was to alert Freepers in the area. I hope some of us will show up.
I’m on campus there that day anyway and will be THERE...
I’ll be the great looking guy (LOL) in dark brown sneakers, blue jeans and the maroon colored Brooks Brother’s shirt.
I’ll be free early and will be there early... I think.
Thanks, I was about to post the same pix and you saved me the time. She’s a beauty and has great shooting form.
OK, so that day is tonight... LOL
I’m going to enjoy being there.
What you said. The first thing I thought when I read that paragraph was, “Good luck with that!”
I have to work until five, but I’ll be dashing down there from Azusa as fast as I can.
You’ll be lucky to get down there, park and be seated by half way through the event.
Are you going to attempt Washington Blvd. instead of the freeways (that could be bumper to bumper) or what?
Do wish you luck on that one.
Why is "hate" found only among those with whom we disagree?
Such is life! :-)
Check out the Trojan comment thread, the editorial staff is getting their clock cleaned.
Never mind that she bases her positions on sound, logical reasoning and facts.
When you can't argue the facts, attack the speaker.
Coulter does use controversy to sell herself, but she backs up her statements.
Her opponents just attack her form of delivery and quote her out of context because they can't counter her with logic and facts.
She was supposed to have spoken at Tulane University on Monday night. Does anyone from N.O. know if she made it there or not? We had some horrible weather that day, and it was flooded all around the campus.
This is really the lion’s den for an outspoken conservative like Ann to go into.
ANN COULTER at USC on WEDNESDAY 10/24/07
[CAIR to hold "Silent Protest & Vigil"]
Posted by RonDog
On News/Activism 10/09/2007 6:42:55 PM PDT · 49 replies · 1,077+ views
YAF.org ^ | Young America's Foundation
BTTT
....and bad haircuts
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