General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: So any speech by anyone must be allowed an audience and center stage at a [View all]SomethingNew
(279 posts)Free speech isn't just that the government "can't arrest you." Free speech, in the context being discussed here, relates to a government venue imposing either (a) content based restrictions on speakersobviously not allowed or (b) restrictions on speakers due to the threats of third parties. If you are seriously supporting the latter, you should note that it comes from Feiner v. New York where the cops shut down a speaker who was arguing for equal rights for blacks since a white racist in the crowd starting shouting threats at him. I don't think anyone seriously thinks Feiner is still good law. Black and Douglass got it right in their dissents, arguing that the police have a duty to protect the speaker by arresting the violent third parties, not by shutting down his/her speech.
Berkeley is a public university with established methods of inviting speakers. I don't know all the circumstances surrounding Coulter's invitation but if it was made in accordance with those procedures, Berkeley should not be shutting down here speech and doing so is arguably unconstitutional. Furthermore, and more importantly, Berkeley should not be doing this even if it is within the rules. We have crossed over into Bizarro Wold where liberals are arguing against free speech. Liberal giants of the past (like, for example, J. Douglas) are probably spinning in their graves. I can only imagine the disappointment of old school liberals who fought for civil rights like my old 1st amendment professor when they see things like this in the news and hear opinions championing Berkeley's behavior from so-called liberals today.