“Students throughout the totalitarian world risk life and limb for freedom of expression, many American college students are demanding that big brother restrict their freedom of speech on campus. This demand for enhanced censorship is not emanating only from the usual corner – the know-nothing fundamentalist right – it is coming from the radical, and increasingly not-so-radical left as well.”

Is Civil War inevitable? It seems the fundamentalists and the progressive movement are separating even in our colleges -- this never happened when I was a student; Trotskyites, liberals, right wing conservatives would all be in the same room discussing each others points of view (the wine wasn't bad either) -- it was very healthy.

... and what shall we do to fix this ill in our midst? Dialog is indeed a good step, but I'm not sure if it can be the first one, as for dialog to be productive we must first be capable of expressing our opinion in civil and understandable manners. I keep coming back in my mind to the need for better education on effective communication... we just might then learn through dialog that the right and left are not as far apart in goals as it sometimes seems.

He is behind the times. The fundamentalist right is now only screaming to be heard. The left is the one that looks at big brother with love. The right abhors him. Even George Orwell knew that long ago. The tactic of the left has always been to shout down and drown out their opponents so as to prevent them from being heard. The ideas of the left can not hold up to open debate so preventing other opinions from being heard is fundamental to their success.

I guess that is one bigot's prejudicial concept. I consider myself neither on the left or the right and from my perspective, it has been the left that has consistently lead in the dumbing down and censoring of that which is contrary to their desired goals. (The Democrats participation in the KKK and pushing Common Core for example) Of course the fascist right have had their hand in expanding censorship, such as terrorist Bush's use of free speech zones. Socialism's march to a theocratic totalitarianism, in general (either from the communist, progressive left or, the fascist, neo-con right) always limits its focused enemies recognized strength(s) Llimiting free speech is just one of the many left / right tyrannous paradigms.

Agree!

I love that part"...know-nothing fundamentalist right". Adequately describes just about anything that comes out of Fox News.

Thumbs up for warren, olathe and thumbs down for L. Hanson.

As opposed to the progressive lapdog media Mr. Edmonton targeting the low information voters bought off with other peoples money (free stuff)? Not covering important stories (abuses of power) and putting political leftist spin on others which accounts for the falling ratings.

The leftists are no longer anti-establishment like they were in the 60's -- now they ARE the establishment, and the establishment does whatever it can to gain more power. It is the establishment that created 'free speech zones' -- still in use today. The establishment assumes and presumes power -- they take it. And if we are unable to stop them, they keep it.

There has always been room for radical ideas and debate in college. What I think is happening today, in the name of tolerance and diversity, the 'powers-that-be' are trying to control the 'conversation' -- the students (like the populace) are being 'handled' and told what kind of speech is 'appropriate' and punished if they break the 'rules.'

Leftists used the right to free speech to gain political power, then once 'established,' they support the limiting of free speech because it challenges and exposes the establishment's abuses of power.