<p>I went to the Virgil Goode speech, and one the police got rid of the loonies (none of which were actually UNC students) then the event went quite well, with Mr. Goode being able to express his ideas freely. At the end, there was a question and answer session that was remarkably respectful from both sides. Huge difference from the Tancredo event, probably because there was a much larger police presence at the Goode speech.</p>
<p>“Criticism and slamming of bad ideas is vital for the progression of society. So while people should be legally free to make them, people should also be legally free to slam them.”</p>
<p>This was hardly just criticism of a “bad” idea. Maybe you didn’t watch the videos, but the criticism was presented through force and illegal actions. Not only that, but Virgil Goode was expressing an idea that is quite valid. Although you or me may not a agree with it, it is a view that is held by many in this country.</p>
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<p>You have no clue how easy it is to criticize a man in a position such as Ben’s. or, maybe you do, especially from a moot position such as yours (who’s your employer again?)</p>
<p>On the one hand, free speech. On the other hand, this is a guy who wants to nuke Mecca.</p>
<p>It’s fine to protest him, that’s free speech as well. If our country can allow Mahmoud “Nuke Israel” Ahmendinijad to speak at Columbia, we can allow Tom “Nuke Mecca” Tancredo to speak at UNC. Just expect protests at both.</p>
<p>“I imagine LogicWarrior will be here any second to ramble about liberal ideologies Lol.”</p>
<p>I’m glad you miss me. :)</p>
<p>No one had any problem with the protests; the problems began when the protesters tried to force their way into a building that was already full past capacity (a fire hazard), shoved police officers, and broke a window.</p>
<p>At the Goode speech, protests were permitted outside and people were allowed to hold banners inside the auditorium, but a UNC administrator warned people before the event even started that no shouting or outbursts would be permitted. True to his word, those who decided that they still wanted to make a scene were promptly escorted outside, arrested, and taken to jail. Representatives from UNC’s Honor Court were there as well to observe any potential troublemakers (they were filming the crowd the whole time), but none of those arrested were affiliated with the university. The UNC students who stayed were largely civil and apologetic for the few hostile people in the crowd.</p>
<p>yeah, that’s why i don’t go to protests, the violent people always give the rest a bad name</p>