Reading the description of the Dec. 3 "Conversation with Karl Rove" event in both The Chronicle's lead editorial and some other letters and posts, I feel we must have attended different events.
This event was as close to flawless as you are going to get with a controversial speaker. I was proud of the protesters: lots of very angry people at Page Auditorium at Duke last night. But no one prevented other people from hearing, or listening, in any serious way. It was sometimes an unfriendly atmosphere, and maybe even disrespectful. Sure, there were signs and some harsh shouts. But no one is guaranteed a friendly, or respectful atmosphere. You get a hearing, and nothing more.
Mr. Rove got that. And the protesters got to make their point, also. A number of conservative students said they were "embarrassed" at the protests. Bull puckey. The audience was restrained, and "respectful" in the formal sense of not exercising the heckler's veto. The protests may upset you, but that's part of academic discourse. Let's give the administration credit. A major conservative speaker came to campus, gave a lengthy talk and was not shouted down or even seriously interrupted. That would not have happened at most of the schools we consider to be our peers.
Michael Munger
Chair and professor
Department of Political Science
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