Comments on: Leave the Irvine Eleven Alone http://www.newuniversity.org/2011/02/opinion/leave-the-irvine-eleven-alone/ Thu, 24 May 2012 03:30:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Bob http://www.newuniversity.org/2011/02/opinion/leave-the-irvine-eleven-alone/comment-page-1/#comment-5390 Bob Tue, 08 Mar 2011 04:05:43 +0000 http://www.newuniversity.org/?p=19226#comment-5390 You cannot compare what the 11 did to yelling fire in a crowded theater. Think about it for a moment; yelling fire in a crowded theater can create mass panic, stampeding, and result in severe injuries or even death. The 11 did not impose any such threat by saying what they did. The only reason this is such a big deal is because it involves the Ambassador of Israel. Being invited as a guest has nothing to do with it. Many speakers are invited as guests. Many speakers are interrupted during their speeches. So, why is it that these specific individuals are being treated as criminal where others were not? What exactly did the 11 do that was so foul; disrespect an Ambassador? I have yet to hear a reasonable argument that clearly responds to that question. You cannot compare what the 11 did to yelling fire in a crowded theater. Think about it for a moment; yelling fire in a crowded theater can create mass panic, stampeding, and result in severe injuries or even death. The 11 did not impose any such threat by saying what they did.

The only reason this is such a big deal is because it involves the Ambassador of Israel. Being invited as a guest has nothing to do with it. Many speakers are invited as guests. Many speakers are interrupted during their speeches. So, why is it that these specific individuals are being treated as criminal where others were not?

What exactly did the 11 do that was so foul; disrespect an Ambassador?

I have yet to hear a reasonable argument that clearly responds to that question.

]]> By: Jim http://www.newuniversity.org/2011/02/opinion/leave-the-irvine-eleven-alone/comment-page-1/#comment-5257 Jim Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:38:01 +0000 http://www.newuniversity.org/?p=19226#comment-5257 "The letter also mentioned that charging the students 'sets a dangerous precedent for the use of the criminal law against nonviolent protests on campus.'" Just like how it's a crime to yell "fire" in a crowded theater, the First Amendment should not be inappropriately brought up to try and protect this conspired action of hate. It would have been different if this group protested outside, but to bring their act of hate inside the building and try to completely silent an invited Ambassador is completely different. I don't think these people will get sent to jail, but it's reassuring to see a clear message being sent that foul actions like what these 11 committed are a serious matter that are not tolerated lightly. “The letter also mentioned that charging the students ‘sets a dangerous precedent for the use of the criminal law against nonviolent protests on campus.’” Just like how it’s a crime to yell “fire” in a crowded theater, the First Amendment should not be inappropriately brought up to try and protect this conspired action of hate. It would have been different if this group protested outside, but to bring their act of hate inside the building and try to completely silent an invited Ambassador is completely different. I don’t think these people will get sent to jail, but it’s reassuring to see a clear message being sent that foul actions like what these 11 committed are a serious matter that are not tolerated lightly.

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