Free Speech wins

Kentucky School News and Commentary posted a story recently about hundreds of Stanford University protesters who objected to the addition of Donald Rumsfeld to the University's conservative Hoover Institute, which also claims Condoleeza Rice and Eric "money won't make our schools better but it sure affords me a better lifestyle" Hanushek as members.

The argument is essentially that Donald Rumsfeld is a politician and a liar and should therefore be denied any "voice" that might influence others.

Countering this argument is Chris Holt, writing for the Stanford Daily.

...I propose that Donald Rumsfeld become the new Dean of Students. Liberals have questioned placing a politician in our academic environment, but I can tell you that I’ve been surrounded by nothing but academics at this university; that just proves we’re not really committed to diversity.

In contrast, while many conservatives point to the educational value of Rumsfeld’s experience, anyone who is familiar with his interviews over the last few months knows he doesn’t remember anything. Rather, we need his innate administrative skill...

...He’d also be a big supporter of the administration. Why, he’s renowned for his loyalty to governing bodies. No matter how controversial the decision, Dean Rumsfeld would put up a good front...If the University accepted money from a donor who sought to...erect a large gym without showers, Rummy would stand by the administration’s decision...He’d reassure us with things like, “It’s complicated” and “hard work.”

...Some students have expressed cynicism at the appointment of Rumsfeld. They suggest that Rummy would not be likely to engage students in an active debate, and, instead, his very presence seems to implicitly support numerous war crimes and one of the least popular administrations in recorded history. Many claim that even conservatives consider him the embodiment of failed policy and a blight on their party.

While the Hoover Institute is a separate body, these students assert that his selection is an embarrassment to the greater campus community and an insult to the innumerable soldiers and civilians that have lost their lives in Iraq.

To these foes, I can only reply: you go to school with the ethics you have, not with the ethics you want.

On the other side of the country Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's controversial appearance at Columbia University brought out protesters saying he should not be permitted to speak.

The argument is essentially that Ahmadinejad is a politician and a liar and should therefore be denied any "voice" that might influence others. As Newsday reported:

[His] controversial appearance at Columbia University yesterday began with harsh, combative words from protesters, politicians and even the university president - who introduced the hard-line leader to a packed auditorium as "a petty and cruel dictator" with "a fanatical mindset."

"Today, I feel all the weight of the modern civilized world yearning to express the revulsion at what you stand for," Columbia University president Lee Bollinger said in a stinging rebuke of Ahmadinejad that also defended the university's decision to invite him to speak. "We do not honor the dishonorable when we open our forums to their voices."

Combative and engaging, Ahmadinejad was quick to respond, contending that Bollinger's introduction contained "many insults and claims that were incorrect" and that the audience should be allowed to draw its own conclusions after hearing him speak.

That's the way it is with free speech. It exists to protect the speech we don't want to hear. It matters less where the lies come from. It matter much more, that American democracy is buttressed by an educated public that can think for itself and see through the lies - regardless their source.