Greenlight with 0 comments, though this might change by the time my post hits. Someone must think this is important, for some utterly irrelevant reason.

A couple of months ago I heard an interview with Ayers on the Terry Gross show. I realized that after hearing so much about him I had never actually heard him.

Turns out he's just a normal guy.

illegal.tender: A couple of months ago I heard an interview with Ayers on the Terry Gross show. I realized that after hearing so much about him I had never actually heard him.

Turns out he's just a normal guy.

trrrrst

illegal.tender: Turns out he's just a normal guy.

Who conspired to make bombs go off.

/just sayin'

BC Sucks.

/trots off to watch Hockey Tournament

Go Eagles!

Of course these same students that invited Ayers would probably try to get the college to cancel a speaking engagement if it involved Rush Limbaugh or any other controversial person on the right. If that didn't work they would hold a protest and harass anyone going or try to get in and shout down the speaker.
Yeah, they believe in free speech so long as it's speech they agree with.

Just like he was cancled here in Omaha. "For $afety"

illegal.tender: A couple of months ago I heard an interview with Ayers on the Terry Gross show. I realized that after hearing so much about him I had never actually heard him.

Turns out he's just a normal guy.

I started reading his (altogether too infrequently updated) blog, and concluded that there's a lot of areas where I agree with him, despite the fact that I'm pretty much a conservative.

I emailed a bit that he wrote about education in a democracy to my homeschooling pioneer parents, and they agreed with everything he wrote in the piece.

Nothing like a bunch of retards that can't handle the concept of free speech.

What does free speech have to do with this, exactly?

whidbey: Nothing like a bunch of retards that can't handle the concept of free speech.

They have the right to pull their donations. Hell, If I was paying to support a college that didn't have the common sense not to book this enemy of the very topic he's booked to speak on, I'd take my marbles and go home too.

illegal.tender: Turns out he's just a normal guy.

I'd describe him more as a drab, middle-aged milksop who is desperately trying to bring meaning to his wasted youth.

Phil Moskowitz: They have the right to pull their donations.

Of course they do.

Just as I have the right to point out that they're pulling the plug on free speech in mob mentality fashion.

Free speech in this country means hearing things you don't agree with. There are no exceptions.

It is ironic how little respect the left wing has for freedom of speech that is "off the plantation."

Alumni who vote with their wallets (and money = speech per the expansionist Supreme Court) are ridiculed for their disapproval of a man who commits numerous bombings and attempted murder.

It is just a little worse than all of Hollywood fawning over that rapist director after he buys his way into respectability with a mediocre Holocaust movie.

Freedom of speech is over-rated. There's no freedom to speak one's mind, merely the power to have one's voice heard. Really the same thing, but the connotation of freedom mislead people into thinking they have some sort of entitlement rather than a capacity they are too weak to exercise.

Besides, if people don't like what you're saying so that you feel like your 'freedom of speech' is being imperiled, then just change how you frame your message. You can say anything so long as you say it right. Why be afraid of political correctness? It's simply a set of rhetorical guidelines. I mean, you can call it like you see it, or you can call it so that other people agree with you. Your choice.

I was under the impression that free speech protected you from the governments jack booted thugs.....Marquess of Queensbury rules apply to all else.

keloyd: It is ironic how little respect the left wing has for freedom of speech that is "off the plantation."

Sounds to me like you're just assuming that everyone in Boston is a commie, aren't you? There was no information given as to the political nature of the people who complained about Ayers speaking.

whidbey: Free speech in this country means hearing things you don't agree with.

That....that's so completely wrong.

Free speech means that THE GOVERNMENT can't stop you from saying what you want. It doesn't mean that *ANYONE* has to listen to you. It doesn't mean you have the right to speak at a private institution, and it doesn't mean you can't be held accountable for your actions.

I *never* have to hear things I disagree with. No one forces me to watch fox news, or listen to Limbaugh, or go see Ann Coulter speak.

Free speech in this country means hearing things you don't agree with. There are no exceptions.

No it doesn't. It means you've got the right to say things someone else doesn't agree with, not that they have to sit there and listen to it.

whidbey: Phil Moskowitz: They have the right to pull their donations.

Of course they do.

Just as I have the right to point out that they're pulling the plug on free speech in mob mentality fashion.

Free speech in this country means hearing things you don't agree with. There are no exceptions.

And apparently that includes paying to hear things you don't agree with.

So please send me a cheque for $1,000 so I can book an auditorium to extol the values of kiddie diddling.

Pussies.

what_now: whidbey: Free speech in this country means hearing things you don't agree with.

That....that's so completely wrong.

Free speech means that THE GOVERNMENT can't stop you from saying what you want. It doesn't mean that *ANYONE* has to listen to you. It doesn't mean you have the right to speak at a private institution, and it doesn't mean you can't be held accountable for your actions.

I *never* have to hear things I disagree with. No one forces me to watch fox news, or listen to Limbaugh, or go see Ann Coulter speak.

Perhaps you misread me. No one is forcing you to go see Ayers, either, but in a free society he should have the right to speak, and Boston College, an institution that takes government monies despite its private status, has that obligation.

money trumps convictions.

again.

Just as well. His speech was gonna bomb.

whidbey: what_now: whidbey: Free speech in this country means hearing things you don't agree with.

That....that's so completely wrong.

Free speech means that THE GOVERNMENT can't stop you from saying what you want. It doesn't mean that *ANYONE* has to listen to you. It doesn't mean you have the right to speak at a private institution, and it doesn't mean you can't be held accountable for your actions.

I *never* have to hear things I disagree with. No one forces me to watch fox news, or listen to Limbaugh, or go see Ann Coulter speak.

Perhaps you misread me. No one is forcing you to go see Ayers, either, but in a free society he should have the right to speak, and Boston College, an institution that takes government monies despite its private status, has that obligation.

...no. It doesn't. Look, I hate BC as much as the next BU alum, but they aren't *required* to have anyone speak, REGARDLESS of how many Stafford Loans and Pell Grants they give out.

an institution that takes government monies despite its private status, has that obligation.

Nope, still doesn't. If it were a public area, then he can yak all he wants, but it isn't

what_now: ...no. It doesn't. Look, I hate BC as much as the next BU alum, but they aren't *required* to have anyone speak, REGARDLESS of how many Stafford Loans and Pell Grants they give out.

Because they're a private college?

Well, if that's so, they're still assholes that don't believe in American free speech, and the reasons they gave for canceling the talk are bunk.

but but he is just a normal guy

who blows things up

what_now: whidbey: what_now: whidbey: Free speech in this country means hearing things you don't agree with.

That....that's so completely wrong.

Free speech means that THE GOVERNMENT can't stop you from saying what you want. It doesn't mean that *ANYONE* has to listen to you. It doesn't mean you have the right to speak at a private institution, and it doesn't mean you can't be held accountable for your actions.

I *never* have to hear things I disagree with. No one forces me to watch fox news, or listen to Limbaugh, or go see Ann Coulter speak.

Perhaps you misread me. No one is forcing you to go see Ayers, either, but in a free society he should have the right to speak, and Boston College, an institution that takes government monies despite its private status, has that obligation.

...no. It doesn't. Look, I hate BC as much as the next BU alum, but they aren't *required* to have anyone speak, REGARDLESS of how many Stafford Loans and Pell Grants they give out.

correct. They are not required. But the students and/or faculty apparently felt that there was sufficient reason to have his voice heard on campus. And then changed their minds when money was on the line

Proving, once again, that everyone is a whore...the only difference is our price

Well, if that's so, they're still assholes that don't believe in American free speech, and the reasons they gave for canceling the talk are bunk.

When I read that, I flashed back to the "why do you hate America," days.

widbey - "There was no information given as to the political nature of the people who complained about Ayers speaking."

Really? Look who has been kissing up to Ayers since the election. Cannot one make certain reasonable deductions?

Free speech means Ayers can pay for his own forum, off campus, as the article mentions. Those who respect him - the most gullible, or young, or shallow, or easily swayed by whatever thinking is fashionable among the chattering classes, can go to the middle of an empty lot and hear this criminal talk all day long. THAT'S free speech.

All the rest is spoiled children with their hand out shouting GIMME GIMME GIMME.

that goes for the whining students as well as the administration that was too cowardly, ignorant of his crimes, or amoral to give a clear "NO" from the beginning.

I'd just like to point out, again, that the NCAA Hockey Tournament is on in a few minutes, and if I didn't know what channel it was on, I could probably ask the BC players.

keloyd: widbey - "There was no information given as to the political nature of the people who complained about Ayers speaking."

Really? Look who has been kissing up to Ayers since the election. Cannot one make certain reasonable deductions?

Riiight...so the people "kissing up to Ayers" demanded the talk be canceled...

Sense. You make none.

ignorant of his crimes

And what crimes are those?

whidbey: And what crimes are those?

is the answer "voter fraud"?

Whidbey, et al -

I am close to changing my mind on this. Suppose they invited the grand dragon of the Klan and the president of NAMBLA to speak. When would that be a good idea?

None of these three belong at a commencement address. However, suppose it was a narrow group of students, maybe a few dozen anthropology grad students, or abnormal psychology majors? In special cases, the nambla guy, or the klan guy, or Ayers may be a an appropriate speaker...in theory.

In the real world, no one at the Daily Kos, Mother Jones, or the Huffington Post cares about Ayers' crimes. They're too privileged and sheltered to ever feel threatened by his element or imagine themselves in the shoes of the little people who died at the hands of the Weather Underground.

winterwhile: but but he is just a normal guy

who blows things up

Add perspective to the things you have none of.

What the fark would Bill Ayers know about the "state of democracy"?

Other than that he hates it, doesn't want free speech, and doesn't want democracy. This is a guy who thought killing elected and duly appointed officials was a great idea. This is a guy who thought the killing of RFK was a good thing. This is a guy who figured mass genocide to bring about his own vision was a-okay.fark him. I wouldn't give money to anybody giving him a platform either. That's my own 'free speech'.

keloyd: the nambla guy, or the klan guy, or Ayers may be a an appropriate speaker...in theory.

Would you mind explaining how you came to the conclusion that Ayers should be lumped into the same group as an avowed racist organization and an association that advocates for the freedom of adults to have sex with children?

Was there another hard hitting Glenn Beck special I am unaware of?

If I have to pick between Jesuits and Domestic Terrorists, I'll take the terrorists, thank you.

Spade: Other than that he hates it, doesn't want free speech, and doesn't want democracy. This is a guy who thought killing elected and duly appointed officials was a great idea. This is a guy who thought the killing of RFK was a good thing. This is a guy who figured mass genocide to bring about his own vision was a-okay.fark him. I wouldn't give money to anybody giving him a platform either. That's my own 'free speech'.

and, all that being said, the college was still willing to have him speak. Right up until the moment it cost them a buck

keloyd: I am close to changing my mind on this. Suppose they invited the grand dragon of the Klan and the president of NAMBLA to speak. When would that be a good idea?

Wow comparing someone who wants to talk about higher education with the Klan and NAMBLA. You're not reaching...

Ayers' crimes.

Again, what "crimes?" Be specific.

Spade: What the fark would Bill Ayers know about the "state of democracy"?

Other than that he hates it, doesn't want free speech, and doesn't want democracy. This is a guy who thought killing elected and duly appointed officials was a great idea. This is a guy who thought the killing of RFK was a good thing. This is a guy who figured mass genocide to bring about his own vision was a-okay.fark him. I wouldn't give money to anybody giving him a platform either. That's my own 'free speech'.

Ah, someone else who learned their entire 1960s history from a movie with a Grateful Dead soundtrack.

I blame the schools, too chicken to teach anything unless it is being threatened by a religious group.

Spade: This is a guy who thought the killing of RFK was a good thing.

The only thing I saw was that he dedicated his book Prairie Fire to Siran Sirhan, who killed RFK. Was there more than that?

Spade -
You simultaneously hate and know nothing about democracy or free speech.

Freedom means not doing any work because you're at school. Freedom means the school has to give you money. Freedom means no one can complain what you do with it. Freedom means we're all equal, but trust fund babies are more equal than anyone else. Democracy means whoever hates George Bush can get away with murder. Anyone women and children walking past when a Weather Underground bomb went off were just peasants, not deserving of freedom. RFK hated democracy. Che Guevera and Cesar Chaves love democracy - and freedom.

keloyd: Spade -
You simultaneously hate and know nothing about democracy or free speech.

Freedom means not doing any work because you're at school. Freedom means the school has to give you money. Freedom means no one can complain what you do with it. Freedom means we're all equal, but trust fund babies are more equal than anyone else. Democracy means whoever hates George Bush can get away with murder. Anyone women and children walking past when a Weather Underground bomb went off were just peasants, not deserving of freedom. RFK hated democracy. Che Guevera and Cesar Chaves love democracy - and freedom.

So, what exactly are your feelings on Bill Ayers? Don't hold back.

God I love disinformation. Really I do.

Spade: What the fark would Bill Ayers know about the "state of democracy"?

Other than that he hates it, doesn't want free speech, and doesn't want democracy. This is a guy who thought killing elected and duly appointed officials was a great idea. This is a guy who thought the killing of RFK was a good thing. This is a guy who figured mass genocide to bring about his own vision was a-okay.fark him. I wouldn't give money to anybody giving him a platform either. That's my own 'free speech'.

Citation needed. Sounds like pure Hannity to me. Color me skeptical.

keloyd: Freedom means not doing any work because you're at school.

Really. So, you admit that you never pursued a higher education. I never would have guessed.

keloyd: Freedom means the school has to give you money.

And you weren't smart enough to go after such a scam?

keloyd: Freedom means no one can complain what you do with it.

I suspect that nothing has ever stopped you from complaining, including not knowing what the hell you're talking about.

keloyd: Freedom means we're all equal, but trust fund babies are more equal than anyone else.

You might want to consider which trust fund baby was our last president.

keloyd: Democracy means whoever hates George Bush can get away with murder.

George Bush hates George Bush?
That would explain an awful lot...

keloyd: Anyone women and children walking past when a Weather Underground bomb went off were just peasants, not deserving of freedom.

It's so much cleaner when we do it form 30,000 feet, right?
And yes, you're damn right I went there.

keloyd: RFK hated democracy.

According to what you define as democracy, I definitely think he would have hated it.

keloyd: Che Guevera and Cesar Chaves love democracy - and freedom.

Listen, Rush Limbaugh is not an accredited institution of learning.
Christ, that was one pile of ignorant blather in that post you made.