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 Jury Finds Muslim Student Heckling Is Not Free SpeechPosted on Sep 23, 2011
Ten Muslim students from UC Irvine who heckled Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren during an on-campus appearance last year were found guilty Friday of two misdemeanors to conspire and to disrupt the speech, despite their arguments citing free speech. A prosecutor argued in closing arguments that the students had effectively censored Oren, who tried to give a speech in February 2010 about U.S.-Israeli relations but had difficulty doing so as the students lined up and, one by one, shouted preplanned phrases at him. The students’ defense attorney argued that a free exchange of ideas is welcomed in a university setting and that politeness works “when you visit your grandmother.” And let’s face it, conservative Orange County, Calif., has long had a reputation for being less than polite when the conversation turns to Palestine or Islam. Beyond the UC Irvine case, what’s important is the effect such a verdict could have on the American people’s right to free speech. —BF
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By OzarkMichael, September 27, 2011 at 9:24 am Link to this comment
SoTexGuy said: For instance all the people there who were offended and insulted and deprived by the heckler’s actions could have themselves shouted them down. Maybe there weren’t so many there who found their behavior unacceptable?
Ah, spoken like a true Leftist, to whom free speech is reduced to which crowd can out-scream the other. If it escalates then it will be riots which will decide who can speak and who cant. A Leftist’s wet dream. Yeah that a great idea(NOT!)
Sorry, Truthdiggers. Not yet.
Report thisBy sludgegulper, September 25, 2011 at 10:48 am Link to this comment
Dangerous precedent has been set. Another nail in the
Report thiscoffin of “free” speech. Of course one shouldn’t be
surprised coming as it does from a justice system that
is flawed (to put it mildly) in a country run by Zionists.
By SoTexGuy, September 25, 2011 at 9:52 am Link to this comment
On balance.. the charges and sentences against the hecklers was overboard. Many things could have been done..
For instance all the people there who were offended and insulted and deprived by the heckler’s actions could have themselves shouted them down. Maybe there weren’t so many there who found their behavior unacceptable?
Or University staff and ushers could have escorted them from the hall and let that end the problem.
And, him being a peace-loving, non-confrontational and reasonable man, the Israeli representative could have thanked everyone and left the podium.
That these young men ended up in court found guilty and fined and sentenced with probation means one or two things (possibly both).. Young men with their looks and last names don’t have the same rights as most everyone else in America.. or NOBODY gets to interrupt an Israeli..
Adios!
Report thisBy Lockweed, September 24, 2011 at 6:28 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
I never heard of such a law “conspiring to disrupt and then disrupting a speech”.
Report thisWas that a recent addition to the constitution? Does it apply to people that are
from Israel also? Does it apply to both gentiles and Jews or just gentiles?
By Gretta Dog, September 23, 2011 at 10:34 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
They did not impinge his right to free speech. they simply made thier point, one by one, and left. The speaker was then free to continue his prepared remarks. the indictment, and then conviction, is simply another message that certain opinions are not welcome in conservative orange county and this case will serve it’t purpose - to put a chill over anyone who might dare stand up and go against the accepted wisdom behind the orange curtain…..
Report thisBy OzarkMichael, September 23, 2011 at 6:31 pm Link to this comment
Their purpose was plain(to intimidate and shut down free speech) and planned(to interrupt continually) so usually the conservative speaker just folds up and Leftist disruption of free speech is a complete success.
Having watched the video, I agree with the University representative who said, “One or two interruptions? well you(the disruptors) made your point, but people want to hear the speaker so lets continue..”
I am surprised they were arrested, surprised there was a prosecution, and best of all surprised at the guilty verdict. Oh, and the speech disruptors were surprised too, werent they? Real tears were shed.
Maybe the Leftists might learn something. Maybe we wont become a Banana Republic after all.
Report thisBy mr-right, September 23, 2011 at 5:13 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
oddsox, when the congressman x shouted at the president calling him a liar! Was he prosecuted? We don’t need your crab and nonsense; this is just a pure anti-Palestine and anti-Islam verdict in a rude and mean county (OC) filled with racists and bigots…
Report thisBy oddsox, September 23, 2011 at 3:30 pm Link to this comment
Heckle: To try to embarrass and annoy (someone speaking or performing in public) by questions, gibes, or objections; badger.
Hate speech and fighting words are not protected under the First Amendment.
Muslim, Christian, no matter. Heckling is designed to disrupt the free speech of the other guy.
Report thisOk, so they’re guilty, slap ‘em on the wrist and we move forward.
By Robespierre115, September 23, 2011 at 2:46 pm Link to this comment
California is run like a Banana Republic, no joke.
Report this