Regarding L'Affaire Paulin (see below), a reader writes:

You are absolutely on target regarding the Paulin affair. As much as I detest Paulinís statements, and as tempting as it might be to fall into line with Harvardís illiberal behavior ìjust this once,î I just canít. The fact is, the Harvard English faculty sent a message about more than Paulinís ìhate speech.î

When people argue for the curtailment of expression, what they often fail to recognize is that they are circumscribing their own rights. None of us has any more freedom of speech than the least popular speaker, as is often said. When someone says, ìPaulin has no right to say the things he said,î what they are really saying is, ìI do not have the right to say what Paulin said.î Thought of in this way, the matter is a little more serious.

I canít add much to what you already said on the subject, except to say that I am shocked at the number of peopleóconservatives, particularlyóapplauding this thuggish decision. They are stripping themselves of any reasonable grounds for complaint the next time David Horowitz gets the same treatment, and they are sure to be called to the mat for it at some point. It makes one wonder if there really is a principle at stake, from their perspective.

Ah, well. Suppression of speech is, I believe, the worldís second-oldest profession.