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Stifling discussion isn't free speech
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Marine59
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Political Comments
04 March 2010
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Orange County Register Newspaper Editorial
Stifling discussion isn't free speech
Muslim students’ shout-down of Israeli official at UCI didn’t further understanding.
The campus at UC Irvine has become a hotbed of tension between Muslim and Jewish students, divided along the always-contentious debate surrounding Israel and Palestine.
Protesters in the audience stood up and shouted barely understandable tirades, condemning Israeli policies, in general and the ambassador, in particular, while he was attempting to address 500 attendees at UCI’s Pacific Ballroom.
Eleven students were arrested. School disciplinary action and possible criminal charges were pending.
What the student protesters did this time hurt their cause., Peaceful protests, sit-ins, and debate are all part of a free society - and should be – but it is also key not to trounce on the right of another person or group to voice an opposing opinion. By rudely and crassly interrupting Mr. Oren, student protesters diminished their cause and killed any discussion, dialogue or debate on the issue.
What the students could have done was ask pointed questions during that part of the program. But because so many protesters interrupted the speech, the question and answer session was canceled. Instead of encouraging debate and discussion, ill-advised students attempted to silence Mr. Oren’s message outright; essentially asserting that their right to free speech trumps his. All they accomplished was destroying the potential for a civil dialogue.
Stifling discussion isn't free speech
Muslim students’ shout-down of Israeli official at UCI didn’t further understanding.
The campus at UC Irvine has become a hotbed of tension between Muslim and Jewish students, divided along the always-contentious debate surrounding Israel and Palestine.
Protesters in the audience stood up and shouted barely understandable tirades, condemning Israeli policies, in general and the ambassador, in particular, while he was attempting to address 500 attendees at UCI’s Pacific Ballroom.
Eleven students were arrested. School disciplinary action and possible criminal charges were pending.
What the student protesters did this time hurt their cause., Peaceful protests, sit-ins, and debate are all part of a free society - and should be – but it is also key not to trounce on the right of another person or group to voice an opposing opinion. By rudely and crassly interrupting Mr. Oren, student protesters diminished their cause and killed any discussion, dialogue or debate on the issue.
What the students could have done was ask pointed questions during that part of the program. But because so many protesters interrupted the speech, the question and answer session was canceled. Instead of encouraging debate and discussion, ill-advised students attempted to silence Mr. Oren’s message outright; essentially asserting that their right to free speech trumps his. All they accomplished was destroying the potential for a civil dialogue.
