Since Columbia now claims to want all views represented, someone should ask either Bollinger, the head of Middle East studies, or the dean of the School of International Affairs whether they will invite best selling author Robert Spencer to speak there. Spencer has written extensively on Islam. However, all of his work has been very critical of Islam, including his recent unflattering and highly critical biography of the Prophet Muhammad. Let’s see if Columbia is really dedicated to free speech by showing a willingness to antagonise its Muslim students and to face physical threats against the university (not to mention the possibility of losing Middle East donors a la the Edward Said Chair).

John Zimmerman, UNLV