CU must not suppress freedom of speech

The CU Boulder administration has issued a statement that “strongly condemns” some messages recently chalked on campus buildings and sidewalks. According to the Denver Post, they included “Hamas is resistance,” Israel has “blood in (its) hands” and is “committing another Holocaust” in Gaza and endorsements of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

The administration claims that these are “anti-Semitic” statements that violate CU’s free speech policy. In fact, they say nothing that threatens, or is directed toward, the Jewish people as a whole. They are political statements concerning a military conflict between two governments. (Like it or not, the Hamas party is the only entity with any legitimate claim to be the government of Gaza.)

Understandably, some individuals may feel uncomfortable when a political message is publicly displayed that runs counter to their own political views. But the whole point of a university community is to promote free expression. That means giving us all practice in hearing political views that may make us uncomfortable and responding to those views by expressing our own — not by censoring views that we don’t like.

The CU free speech policy makes that clear. It guarantees for all members of the university community the right to express political views as private citizens. By condemning and erasing the messages, the administration seems to be violating its own policy.

If indeed there were some messages chalked on campus that are truly anti-Semitic, the administration should immediately make those widely known, so that we can all understand why this suppression of speech is justified. Until that time, we can only conclude that the administration is suppressing freedom of speech and using its power to support one side in an international political conflict. That is never an appropriate role for university administrators.

— Ira Chernus, Longmont

What do leaders we choose say about us Americans?

Considering how Kamala Harris handled her responsibility for dealing with illegal immigrants, how could any of us have voted to hand her the reins for governing our entire nation? What does this say about our ability to select any of our agents of governance?

— Martin Barlau, Loveland

We must turn off the media and think for ourselves

Oh, what a night! Yes, the media won the election.

Waking up with the election over, it’s time to give the country a rest. As the dust settles, now is the time for reconciliation. As the rest of the world reflects on our foolishness, I can’t help but think that nothing has changed.

The partisanship that was ushered in the 20 teens will continue to dominate the political agenda for the next four years, and the rich will get richer, and the poor get poorer. The middle class will, as always, be left to the wasteland of usuary.

Ironically, the Venezuelans who left their own country in search of real democracy will be sent home to face their own version of political perversion. In the meantime, a pronounced regime of social media giants will grab the hearts and minds of Americans and promote a vision of equality and promise that is shadowed by misinformation and deceit. The saying, “Make America Great Again,” has been replaced by, “I’ll Fix It.” Expect a new set of hats and tee shirts. Those who feed from the trough of government will continue to do so.

I am still obedient to the faith of an awakening in America when our representatives realize that the balance of a country depends on their behavior. Whatever the future holds, the direction of this country is still in the hands of its citizens. Maybe we might try to turn off the media and think for ourselves.

As the growth of social media continues to forge ahead, it won’t be long before printed newspapers will succumb to the loss of advertising revenue and letters to the editor will become a thing of the past.

— Bob Grimes, Windsor