Omar Bargouti spoke at Columbia a few weeks ago. He debated George Fletcher and did not require a major security presence. Dr. Judy Jacobson, the co-coordinator of the Columbia chapter of SPME, pointed out that this was entirely “unlike the Wilders event, which was open only to Columbia University ID (CUID) holders, and which used limited entrances, exits, and routes.” Of course, the kind of people who don’t like Bargouti simply avoid his lectures; they do not turn up looking for a fight. This is not true for those who fear and oppose free speech for Darwish and Geert Wilders.
Jacobson also said: “Valid concerns were raised by the security team at Columbia. Miscommunications occurred between the students who invited Darwish and the faculty members who tried to get her a room in which to speak. The head of security, John Murolo, would like to be able to provide proper security for her.”
Even after the Columbia fiasco, Darwish was still ready to take the train to Princeton when she got word that the event was canceled. She told me: “The Jewish group just caved in. The imam spoke to the rabbi and somehow persuaded him that my speech would not be good for Jewish-Muslim relations. Again, the Republicans on campus did not rescue me.”
Thus, both Princeton’s debate society and Tigers for Israel (more like Pussycats for Israel) caved in.
Princeton? Well, Norman Finkelstein spoke there as well apparently without incident as have the pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli Richard Falk and Yoav Peled.
In Darwish’s case, Tigers for Israel and the debate society of Princeton both canceled her speech at the last moment. Muslim students, and a Muslim imam, Soaid Sultan, the head of Muslim life on campus, allegedly found what Darwish might say objectionable. According to Darwish, “they accused me of saying that the Qu’ran has violent passages in it (it surely does), and that I compare Islam with communism.”
This accusation was based on a speech that Darwish had not yet given. Does the First Amendment not apply to her? Or to anyone else who says such things? Does the First Amendment exist now merely to protect hate speech against Jews, Israel, and America? And to prevent us from telling the truth about Islam and terrorism?
In Darwish’s case, since she has left Islam and converted to Christianity, her words are now easier to dismiss; she is no longer a Muslim and therefore has no right to speak about Islam. (Please see my piece where I write about the “balkanization of the imagination” that this point of view represents).
According to CAMERA, Campus Media Watch, and Dr. Jacobson, speaking for SPME: “We would all like to have Darwish speak at Columbia in the future but we want nothing unpleasant to happen and we want to do it right.”
What is one to make of all this? Often, things done in haste on campuses fly right under the radar. Often, huge student and faculty crowds turn out to support the rock star or the politically correct victim of the week. Large, safe rooms are found at the last minute. Experienced and powerful people put their shoulder to the wheel and make sure this happens.
But in this instance, Darwish had to turn around and fly right back home. Even if well-meaning people tried their best, meant well, or had simply not planned things right from the start, this will still stand as yet another day in which free speech and truth speech were silenced in America.
Princeton and Columbia have long been known to be politically correct institutions. The degrees granted to their liberal arts graduates often leave much to be desired. They may sometimes even be outright fraudulent. Things have gotten considerably worse in the last forty years because of affirmative action grading. It guaranteed unearned grades to the politically favored. Excellence became a secondary value. Fear and intimidation inevitably results in such a cultural milieu. Affirmative action policies can only be sustained by intellectual thugry.
But there is no liberal bias in academia…..
Dr. Chesler: I have said it before on PJM, and I will say it again: Islam is not a religion; it is a political ideology parading around as a religion. So long as Sura 9 is in the Koran, none of us are safe. If there were truly were moderate Moslems, they would speak up. Their silence is deafening which proves that there are none.
We are now becoming dhimmi in our country. For shame!!!
Hypocricy, thy name is the Ivy League. If you aren’t safely left of centre, then you will not be permitted to speak any any of the “elite” Ivy League schools. Freedom of speach is only for those with whom the professaraite agrees with. It’s a shame but unfortunately, we in centre and right have permitted this to occur over the past forty years. Unless there are discriminatory hiring lawsuits filed and successfully prosecuted, it will continue for the forseable future.
Pity the poor parents, going into hock to pay for an education at such once storied institutions. Ahmedinijad, Chomsky, Finkelstein, the Ha’aretz crowd can all get their forums. But Darwish, Pipes, Spencer, Ibn Waraq, Horowitz, et.al. can’t get through their speeches – assuming they can present their views at all – without being shouted down by these fascists. And heaven help you if you’re an Israeli official! Even Sharansky, a human rights giant compared to these moral midgets, was assaulted by a pie mid-speech recently. The next time it could be worse.
Some of you might recall, some years back when the contras were still struggling against the Sandinstas, that contra spokesman Adolfo Calero came to Northwestern University to give a talk. Marxist professor Barbara Foley mounted the dais before Calero could utter a single word, and this is what she said:
And indeed, Calero did just barely exit the auditorium without suffering a violent assault.
Nothing much changes on the Left. Violence and propaganda are all they know; when the propaganda is insufficient, the violence begins. As Victor Marguerite wrote, ”The Fascists cannot argue…so they kill.”
Golly, I hope these same folks will be courteous and allow AG Holder to try KSM in NYC without any serious opposition!
Just imagine NYC over the next several months. There will be security folks searching and setting up muslim terrorist prevention. There will be thousand of muslim terrorists, some who’ve snuck across the Canadian border, some across the Mexican border, some who’ve just flown into JFK using fake documents and some who’ve been driving cabs in NYC for years, all looking to disrupt life and the trial in NYC. Pity the poor tourists who try to take pictures.
Every muslim terrorist, however, will be given the opportunity to speak on CBS, NBC or MSNBC and will be treated seriously by the NYT.
Sadly, almost 20 years later this reminds me of the lemmings I went to college with who told me to shh shh when I wanted to protest Leonard Jeffries coming or Hanan Ashwari not 10 feet from me spewing her hatred for Jews and Israel but refused to open their mouths in support of anyone Pro-Israel. Had those students I went to college with spoken out and up then, we might not be in the sad place we are today with Nonie’s situation. We need strong outspoken supporters to get on campus’s and rally up the good people, Jews, Christians & Muslims to speak out without fear.
Columbia and Princeton University administrations should be ashamed of themselves. The land of free and brave has become the land of dhimmi liars and cowards!!!Shame!!! If these were living in the times George Washinton and Emerson, we would still be a colony of England.
Princeton & Columbia have shown their credentials for being propaganda centres. They join Concordia College in Montreal, and York University in Toronto.
Bibi Netanyahu, and later on Ehud Barak, were invited to speak at Concordia College. Both engagements were canceled because hooligans threatened violence. It was the same matter over at York University, except it was Daniel Pipes who was dis-invited.
The jack-booted thugs only believe in free speech in as far as they having the freedom to
speak. As for anyone else, especially for those who arrive at different conclusions, they are not allowed freedom of expression.
Therefore, these propaganda centres are beyond
shame insofar as it is preferable to place expedience over principle, as far as they are concerned.
What about a webinar…float the idea and see if it’s rejected.
I’m sure both schools have the technology, and it would extend your reach.
My bet is that a ‘technical’ issue will be uncovered.
4. Jack in Silver Spring: “Islam is not a religion; it is a political ideology parading around as a religion.”
Never stop saying it. Hopefully someday the majority will wake up from this politically correct stupor…
If there’s anything in the world that would terrify Islamists, it’s an organization of pro-Israel Arabs. Anti-Zionism, the most powerful political force on earth, provides much–perhaps most–of the enrgy that propels jihadists.
How’s that being a moderate working for you and Ms. Darwish. Where are you adoring moderate and independent fans on this one?
Funny you never, repeat never hear of conservatives blocking, shouting over, disrupting or otherwise being anti-free speech like the left does. But that’s okay with you since the left is more…..compassionate and less extreme.
keep writing Phyllis …there are not enough voices to allow any to be silenced
regards
Muslims and marxists have forged an alliance against the West …and it is a powerful machine, it controls media and universities, Congress and White House.
Their goal is total and absolute control of our lives.
They have all the money of the world, hordes of brainwashed idiots to move, the power to brainwash more…
We have Freedom, the Gift by God Who Is Love…
ERGO
We will win
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
When sanity once again regains control in the US, and elsewhere, the elimination of tenure should be high on the agenda. These institutions have been the incubator of communism for decades. When was the last time we heard ANY common sense out of these schools?
Teachers unions, student unions, Soviet Unions, anyone noticing a pattern here?
The head of the SIEU union has been to the white house 22 times. Substantially more than anyone else.
I’m sure the old media wouldn’t have cared if the head of Exxon had visited Bush 22 times in 8 months. Nothing to see here folks.
It’s curious how this free speech pattern always works out where tuition paying people who need security can’t get security while those who don’t need security, usually from the left on a public subsidy, get the run of the place. Obviously the twits are in charge.
yes, if columbia is ok with Ahmadinejad giving speech, it should then allow another bigot and racist like Nonie Darwish to speak as well… and if Nonie was smart enough and brave enough she would fought bigotory as a muslim not by converting to christainity… it is sensless. I am a mulim and I fight racism, extremesim all they long.. I do need to convert to judaism or christainity to make it more meaningful
I expect liberals to be intimidated when it comes to islam. But when conservatives have even become too timid to stand up to muslim bullying and defend free speech, then we are doomed. Shame on the campus Republicans and the ironically named Tigers for Israel.
This long story that are link to above topic
”
True, in 2006, President Amadinejad was not able to speak at Columbia because the notice given was too short. However, in 2007, Columbia University was able to provide security for him. And yet they could not provide it for Darwish.
”
as usuall five feet of furry are like to slander any thing link with muslim and slander them all as usuall and
their freedom of speech with small dead animal or sodahead.com is only one way street to like to talk but not or patitent to hear other party opionion too may be they or we are right to say and they do sansor it as usuall then we think if no differnet in liberal and consevative parties both are cansor infomration for thier benefit as other politician in world do it
==
plus we know all what happend in NewYork recently:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/13/alavi-assa-mosque-skyscraper-seized
US mosques and New York skyscraper seized over alleged Iran links
therfore If Iran has land or property worth more than $ 500 million dollar in middle of NewYOrk may be this is better they sell that and instead they spend more money to their old age or retire or disable or poor people and not spend their money to do made any trade for nuclear bomb or related to that areas.
“I am very fond of truth, but not at all of martyrdom”
Voltaire
Phyllis, this is OT for this posting but you have written about the situation in Britain before. So I thought you might like to know that the government is playing fast and loose with money that supposed to go to organizations that help victims of forced marriages: http://yourfreedomandours.blogspot.com/2009/11/not-good-news.html
I’m sorry but I’m shaking my head here. Why on earth is Ms Darwish trying to speak at a University Campus? Universities are in the forefront of banning free speech – don’t you know. Why can’t those rich Ivy League types who want to hear her rent a hall off campus?
As Kate at SDA says: what’s the opposite of diversity? Answer: University – where people can only think one way. Wise up guys – find a place out in the free world at which to speak. Stop beating yourselves over the head with the University two by four – it’s dumb.
mr, in point 23 you talk a good game. Are you in favour of what was said to Kamal Saleem, whose cousin is the Mufti of Lebanon: People like you should be killed.
You can find it in “The blood of lambs”, and some other interesting material.
Wish I was an affirmative african american actionist – then I would have a job…
We have stood alone against this hatred before – The pragmatism of the continent has proven once again to be futile. Only the principled heritage of the Anglo-sphere can act as a bastion against emotional short-term anti-reason.
The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand must lead the world back from the abyss. Our nations were founded on the principles of free-born men and a level playing field for all. Valiant nations like Poland, Israel and others in central Europe would follow strong leadership for liberty.
We have reason on our side – let’s use it.
Well, you can watch her here: http://www.davebrianbender.com in a video clip of a short Q&A I conducted her after an appearance in Atlanta this summer (scroll down to the bottom of the page).
What else can we expect in our own land? We have a president who is openly hostile to Americans. He is not a countryman and never will be. His hatred of England and especially Winston Churchill was evidenced by returning the bust of Churchill. He didn’t want it in his presence. Why, because Churchill described the Koran as evil.
Now, our Ivy league universities are falling in line and suppressing freedom of speech under the guise of security and safety for the speaker. Ever wonder if Obama’s attendance at Columbia is reflected in the decision to cancel?
Why are we becoming such a nation of wimps and sheep when it comes to calling evil what it is? Islam is evil to the core. It may have passages of peace and what passes for violent love but none the less, it is an evil religion.
May God have mercy on this nation. Not that we deserve it any more.
Well, isn’t that so typical of the left at Columbia and Princeton. I have observed for a long time that these universities practice censorship and all that comes with it. I am so thankful that my kids didn’t go to any of these totally elite universities.
“Arabs for Israel”? Can they field a minyan?
And not a single word on JVP’s muzzlewatch.
Free speech is racist and hateful! Support of Israel is racist and hateful! Honesty is racist and hateful! (And this is what left/liberals say is good for us? “Freedom go to hell,” say signs the jihadists wave as, apparently, they agree.) Freedom requires backbone and I’m sorry the folk who invited Nonie Darwish couldn’t have more of it.
This news is so painful (Heart).
23. mr: you are an Islamic bigot and a racist, this is obvious. And I add that you are intelligenceless, since you are unable to analyse things, and I suppose this comes from your Islamic indoctrination, which teaches you to be bigot and racist, and then deceive (yourself and) others about your indoctination. [The problem is that other are far less stupid than your indoctrination tells you: your lack of intelligent thinking is sunny clear.]
HOPEFULLY FORMER MUSLIMS UNITED will have more chance to speak out, but they courage scares everyone which belongs to totalitarian Ideologies, where “the Religion”, “the Party”, “the Cause”, “the Institution”, whatever must be served despite any evidence of its failure and its poverty. Humanity still be too immature to wellcome clever, brave and beautiful people like Former Muslims United’s ones?
The frightening part. The really scary portion. These are the Future Lawyers, Doctors, Media, Judges, Religious leaders, Ceo’s. In other words the screaming maniacs that hate Jews & Israel are the future Generation that will run society ,our Nations.
The fifth column has done its work well.
With Obama in Office . No way to reverse this, instead its been strengthened. By the very Administrations chalk full of Communists.
The horror will come when the left find themselves in this Revolution under the Sword Of Islam. They the left are being used by the Islamists as a front. Soon they will be their slaves. Its always the first guys who cry with violence, gibbering platitudes of feigned humanity. Change to die for. Hope in Hate! Just ask a fellow named Robespierre?
JMO
revnant dream: “In other words the screaming maniacs that hate Jews & Israel…”
I am almost certain American Jews are thoroughly involved with this and other demonstrations of anti-free speech. Jews make up the very fabric of progressives and supply major funding for progressive causes and foundations. They are even as a minority, a big reason why progressives get a pass when they decry Israel.
The worst of it is that the graduates of these gutless, hypocritical and anti-American institutions are regarded as the best of the best, but birthplace of our future political elites.
Although it’s not the main point of the article, Phyllis’s references to First Amendment rights in this context are misplaced. The Bill of Rights applies only to government action which violates free speech. Both Princeton and Columbia are private institutions, so Ms. Darwish’s First Amendment rights are not triggered by their decisions to cancel her talks. That said, I must also say that as a graduate of Princeton University, I am deeply ashamed of the cowardice of its Jewish community.
True to cowardly form, I was unable to secure cooperation from MIT Hillel to bring pro Israel speakers onto the campus too.
From 2003-2007 I worked tirelessly to gain permission for several well known speakers to appear, but to no avail.
Dr Kenneth Levin, a noted Harvard psychiatrist and Princeton historian, Dr Richard Landes, of Pallywood fame and a noted BU prof, Dr Eugene Narrett, a Columbia Phd, a prolific Middle East author/lecturer were all denied speaking engagements.I was stonewalled at each and every turn, trying to bring them onto campus.
Apparently the leadership at Hillel were loathe to upset the PC applecart. The MSA, an Islamist spawn of the Muslim Brotherhood, shares space with Hillel at MIT. Heaven forfend, or rather, heaven Allah is offended, the poohbahs at Hillel did not want to rock the boat.
In other words, ALL manner of Israel/Jew haters were allowed to speak at MSA events, but Hillel didn’t want to offend anyone.
A sick, sick group of appeasers are now the vanguard of Jewish campus life.
Jews who care about Israel should cease supporting Hillel until they ‘man up/woman up.
I forgot to mention this nauseating tidbit. My son was a student leader at Hillel, the go to student re all things Hillel, YET even that wouldn’t get them to budge on my pro Israel speakers.
When it comes to toeing the PC line no amount of ‘juice’ will help.Throwing Israel to the wolves is a small price for them to pay to be seen as ‘acceptable’ Jews on campus.
Phyllis,
In the update:
“Finally, as Darwish sat at a café in New York City awaiting news of her fate at Princeton, Grinberg considered renting the Nassau Inn—right across the street. For a number of reasons, this was ultimately rejected as too ironic, too bizarre an option.”
Why is that too ironic or too bizarre? If you want irony or the bizarre just look across the street at Princeton University, not at the Nassau Inn. Is the objective to speak and be heard or is it to be a martyr to some (in your eyes) trendy institution?
I’ve spent too much of my education and career in or around Universities to be impressed with them or their denizens. #46 Amy is correct about free speech laws not applying to Princeton. But you know what? Free speech laws do apply to the Nassau Inn – right across the street from Princeton.
See through the delusion, Universities are not places to be admired. There’s no second-hand prestige to be gained from associating with them.
David.W.Licoln:
no one should be harmed because of their views… I am not sure why you asked me that question…but I never thought British were smart to begin with… I am merely telling everyone here do not judge someone on their religous beleifs.. although I was born and raised a muslim I do not practice it… in fact I don’t give a flying… about Islam, Christianity or Judaism… get over your hatred for muslims and try to find out what the root of the problem is… this is suppose to be a forum not bashing people…by the way I used to live in Manchester!!! Honestly this is the greatest country on earth.. to have so many racist here expressing their views… do you think you can do it in a muslim country? hell no!! they will find a verse in Quran and then burn you!!!
Throwing Israel to the wolves is a small price for them to pay to be seen as ‘acceptable’ Jews on campus.
They will reap what they sow. These people will either convert or be killed if/when America is taken over by Islam. Sadly the rest of us will suffer too, I don’t understand the willful blindness of our politicians, media, and even religious leaders. Even Ms. Chesler who is familiar with the results of rule by Sharia Law will not condemn Islam. You cannot reform Islam, in fact if you were to use the Christian Reformation as a template you’d see that the Wahabbi and Jihadi ARE the reformists. They are getting back to the teachings of Mohammed and the Quran.
mr, why not take a look at those who travel from Great Britain, Canada, the United States, and others to fight in Afghanistan, Iraq, and anywhere else to fight those in the uniform of Canada, Great Britain, the United States et al.
Two uncles of mine fought in the Second World War, a cousin of theirs was shot down over the north sea in that war: What they fought has mutated into what you say you demonize. That is why I say what I say.
On a related note, Phyllis, the impression I get from this, http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/story.html?id=2248841 and this, http://www.pacificfreepress.com/news/1/5084-malalai-joya-this-is-what-courage-looks-like.html and this, http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/afghanmission/article/727873—liberation-was-just-a-big-lie is this: It is too early for Afghanistan to run itself. Natan Sharansky in “The Case for Democracy” said so, and I still like my idea of preparatory regimes for those parts of Asia, Africa & South America, along the lines
thought about by FDR for Vietnam, which are in
the book “Lost Crusade: America in Vietnam” by
Chester L. Cooper.
david
my own son is in the us marines so get over it
54. mr: this is very frightening! A Marine, an Islamic person (unless his father/mother allowed him to choose his own Religion or Atheism, in the name of “Counterracism” and Tolerance), whose father/mother doesn’t even understand why Nonie Darwish left Islam! [Despite she clearly explained that, and she was meant to do it at Columbia again, but she got silenced, with full blessings of that Marine's father/mother, who calls him/herself a "Counterracism" fighter]. Very worrying, but that information gives us a hand … ABOUT MAJOR HASSAN’S ATTACK, AND ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH ISLAMIC PEOPLE IN US ARMY, IT IS QUITE CLEAR: ASK EVERYONE IF THEY UNDERSTAND (AND STAND) ONE LIKE NONIE DARWISH, AND WHY YES OR WHY NOT DOES HE/SHE UNDERSTAND AND STAND HER. DEPENDING ON THEIR ANSWER (…) YOU’LL KNOW WHETHER THEY ARE MORE ISLAMIST MINDED OR ELSE”.
Dear Dr. Phyllis Chesler, this is a video for you to be checked.
A woman ( does your friend Ceyran Ates eventually reasons like this one, thinking that “Islamic people” are persecuted? – I hope not – ) interviews a man, who states that Capitain – ? – Hassan’s assault will most probably be used to strenghten Islamic people’s persecution – ? – in USA and in US Army.
[ Of course, Islamic people are the victims ( even if they are US citizen, have a high paid job in USA, don't do it properly and eventually murder their patients, shouting "Allahu akbar" ), and the bad/evil ones are "the others" ( Western people and Jews expecially ). And ISLAMIC women, like the interviewer, agree with him. ]
I wonder: does auto-criticism exists in Islam or is Islam an IDEOLOGY which ignores or denies Delphi’s Oracle’s pearl of Wisedom: “Know YourSelf”?
What do your Islamic ( female ) friends think about the interviewer’s point of view on Islamic people’s condition in the West ( and USA )? What do they think about the interviewed’s point of view on the alleged innocence of Islam and Islamic people, even if facts show that THEY are guilty?
http://www.memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD265209
My experience at Columbia Univ: Hillel is a pro-Palestinian Arab org.
I attended a meeting and the female leader ‘forbade’ her members from assisting me in a project. [I am a practicing attorney - this was not a foolish or irresponsible venture].