David Horowitz, from the blog http://lesterhhunt.blogspot.com/2008/05/david-horowitz-not-consistent-friend-of.html

In this STLToday article we learn that St. Louis University disinvited David Horowitz from speaking at a campus event entitled “Islamo-Fascism Awareness and Civil Rights” because “the school was concerned that the event could be viewed as ‘attacking another faith and seeking to cause derision on campus.’” Here we seem to have the classic conundrum of a university in a free society, how to balance the rights to free speech and the free exchange of ideas with the need to stand against the spread of hatred, bigotry, and one-sided distortions of truth. Did SLU balance these needs or was the university’s decision “outrageous” as Horowitz charges?

I don’t know, and I don’t think the article in STLToday gives us enough information to decide, and I think we should hear more about this. Extremist rhetoric shuts down the exchange of ideas, preferring to convince its listener by stirring primal fear…

Since a majority of Californians passed Proposition 8, Latter-day Saints (Mormons), who make up 2% of the California’s population, have been attacked by some who are upset with the outcome.  I have Latter-day Saint family and friends in California. All can share a story of the intimidation they have experienced as a result of their support for Proposition 8.

When the attacks first occurred, Latter-day Saints were stunned as some saw their employment threatened and their places of worship vandalized. Many Latter-day Saints wondered, “where is the outrage? Will no one defend us?”

The rhetoric of anti-religious bigotry surprised many on both sides of the issue.

Some community and religious leaders are now responding.

This week, The Becket Fund, a non-profit interfaith organization that defends religious liberties, posted an ad, signed by community leaders, in the New York Times to defend the right of religious people to speak out on issues with out the fear of retribution.

See ad: click here.

Learn more at the Becket Fund website: click here.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day…