Rev. Robertson should not be given a Princeton platform

On April 1st, the Whig-Cliosophic Society will host a speech by Rev. Pat Robertson. While the society recognizes that the Reverend's speech might include his trademark invectives against homosexuals and non-Christians, they justify the invitation on the grounds of free speech and request that we filter out any offensive comments he might make.

The value of free speech on a college campus is obvious. A consideration of many legitimate viewpoints is necessary in comprehensively addressing any academic inquiry. However, I question the legitimacy of the Reverend's political views. What contributions of academic merit can be made by a man who describes non-Christians as termites who must be fumigated out of American institutions (New York Magazine, Aug. 18, 1986) and who blames 9/11 on homosexuals and feminists? ("The 700 Club," Sept. 13, 2001) There is nothing of academic merit to discuss regarding hate speech — it is wrong and has no place on our campus.

It is absurd to make it our obligation to "filter" out his offensive comments; no one should ever have to be subjected to verbal abuse in order to get a shard of truth. Not only is it absurd but it is also impossible: his hate infects his political philosophy, making the two inextricable. His core political views are based on a fanatical religious self-righteousness that warps his view of history (i.e. many of the Nazi's were homosexuals and Satanists — "The 700 Club," Jan. 21, 1993) and of the American government (i.e. Congress can ignore the rulings of the Supreme Court — Washington Post, June 27,1986). Admittedly, Rev. Robertson has a few accomplishments. He founded the Christian Coalition of America, the nation's largest conservative political organization, and the Christian Broadcasting Network, the nation's largest religious television network. However, Pat Robertson has become a household name because of his bigotry, and he has used these media to broadcast his dangerous views; views that we should not legitimate with an invitation to speak here.

It is a great honor to speak at Princeton University, and, thus, we make a significant statement when we select speakers. Giving a speaker the microphone at our university increases his credibility since this is a person who has something to say that is worth the time and consideration of the academic community of one of the best universities in the world. It is especially important to be sensitive with these selections in the post-9/11 political climate where discrimination against Muslim-Americans and Asian-Americans is tolerated and, many times, even encouraged. In this case, our statement should not be that we will tolerate hate speech just to get a "celebrity" onto our campus but that we will not provide a forum nor bestow that honor of speaking on our campus to those who will propagate the culture of bigotry and ignorance that currently pervades our country.

I am not clear on what motivated Whig-Clio's leadership to invite such a speaker. Perhaps, it was to add political diversity to the mostly liberal discourse on campus. If so, they have injured their cause by having an extremist represent the conservative viewpoint. Perhaps, Whig-Clio is trying to recall days when it was the center of campus intellectual life by inviting "celebrity" speakers with inflammatory views. However, stirring controversy to draw attention rather than to inspire a substantive debate amounts to a barbarous rant — no better than that of a certain campus publication.

All students signed a pledge at the beginning of their freshman year which stated that they had read, understood, and would respect the regulations in Rights, Rules & Responsibilities. In this booklet, the University clearly states its position on this matter: "As an intellectual community, it [Princeton University] attaches great value to freedom of expression and vigorous debate, but it also attaches great importance to mutual respect, and it deplores expressions of hatred directed against any individual or group." Thus, it is our duty as students of this University who agreed to this set of rules and as civilized people to have no tolerance for Rev. Pat Robertson.

Sasha Rao is a chemical engineering major from Freehold, N.J.