Comments on: Immigration panel incites free speech debate http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2009/11/17/immigration-panel-incites-free-speech-debate/ Serving the students of the University of Nevada, Reno since 1893. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:38:41 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Mayo Thompson http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2009/11/17/immigration-panel-incites-free-speech-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-101740 Mayo Thompson Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:36:46 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/?p=12890#comment-101740 I think that if an argument can stand up to debate in an open and civil atmosphere then it is a viable argument. We can only see the flaws in one side of an argument when compared to others. I think we miss a chance to see the validity of our stances when we do not allow opposing views. Plus, the LRC loss the chance to possibly convert some community views of those that might be for Gilchrist. I believe this could have been a major chance to thrust the immigration issue into the spotlight at UNR. I think that if an argument can stand up to debate in an open and civil atmosphere then it is a viable argument. We can only see the flaws in one side of an argument when compared to others. I think we miss a chance to see the validity of our stances when we do not allow opposing views. Plus, the LRC loss the chance to possibly convert some community views of those that might be for Gilchrist. I believe this could have been a major chance to thrust the immigration issue into the spotlight at UNR.

]]> By: DJ http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2009/11/17/immigration-panel-incites-free-speech-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-101387 DJ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:12:09 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/?p=12890#comment-101387 While I wouldn't say that he shouldn't be allowed to speak his mind in the public forum, a more rational proponent for the opposite side of the issue could be found. the man IS very racist, and his organization works outside legal jurisdiction. Here's a quote: “Illegal immigration is bankrupting states along the border, but this is about more than economics -- we're placing our national security at risk. Drug lords and violent gangs like MS-13 are streaming into the U.S. from Mexico. Terrorists are also walking in unopposed; our southwestern border is littered with Arabic papers and Islamic prayer rugs.” He is generalizing all of Islam, and all Muslims by extension, as terrorists. He is using tried-and-true white rage to whip up some xenophobic hysteria. His unsuccessful Congressional campaign was aided by neo-nazi white supremacists. (http://www.splcenter.org/center/splcreport/article.jsp?aid=150) I have no problems with contrary views being expressed, and I do believe that having both sides of the discussion speak is important. However, it seems a bit odd to let somebody like this onto our campus. Meh, free speech is a fickle bitch, ain't she? :/ While I wouldn’t say that he shouldn’t be allowed to speak his mind in the public forum, a more rational proponent for the opposite side of the issue could be found. the man IS very racist, and his organization works outside legal jurisdiction. Here’s a quote:

“Illegal immigration is bankrupting states along the border, but this is about more than economics — we’re placing our national security at risk. Drug lords and violent gangs like MS-13 are streaming into the U.S. from Mexico. Terrorists are also walking in unopposed; our southwestern border is littered with Arabic papers and Islamic prayer rugs.”

He is generalizing all of Islam, and all Muslims by extension, as terrorists. He is using tried-and-true white rage to whip up some xenophobic hysteria. His unsuccessful Congressional campaign was aided by neo-nazi white supremacists.
(http://www.splcenter.org/center/splcreport/article.jsp?aid=150)

I have no problems with contrary views being expressed, and I do believe that having both sides of the discussion speak is important. However, it seems a bit odd to let somebody like this onto our campus.

Meh, free speech is a fickle bitch, ain’t she? :/

]]> By: Raquel http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2009/11/17/immigration-panel-incites-free-speech-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-101174 Raquel Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:12:06 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/?p=12890#comment-101174 Emma Sepulveda is a coward. Instead of encouraging debate over highly controversial issue, she chose to ignore the fact that people have DIFFERENT opinions regarding immigration and should be afforded the opportunity to voice it. Instead of addressing the issues and welcoming differing opinions, she acted immaturely and quickly came to the conclusion that Gilchrist was a "racist" and should not be able to speak at UNR. As a leader of the Hispanic community, Sepulveda should encourage these types of forums to unite instead of divide the community. “I don’t waste my comments with people who can’t hold a humane conversation. I can’t have a debate with (Gilchrist),” Sepulveda said. “What is he going to tell me, that we are criminals?” (NV Sagebrush)The fact is people who come here illegally ARE criminals because they are BREAKING the law. They are not immune to the law! It appears that she wants to hush the fact that criminal activity is being committed. Shame on Sepulveda. Emma Sepulveda is a coward. Instead of encouraging debate over highly controversial issue, she chose to ignore the fact that people have DIFFERENT opinions regarding immigration and should be afforded the opportunity to voice it. Instead of addressing the issues and welcoming differing opinions, she acted immaturely and quickly came to the conclusion that Gilchrist was a “racist” and should not be able to speak at UNR. As a leader of the Hispanic community, Sepulveda should encourage these types of forums to unite instead of divide the community. “I don’t waste my comments with people who can’t hold a humane conversation. I can’t have a debate with (Gilchrist),” Sepulveda said. “What is he going to tell me, that we are criminals?” (NV Sagebrush)The fact is people who come here illegally ARE criminals because they are BREAKING the law. They are not immune to the law! It appears that she wants to hush the fact that criminal activity is being committed. Shame on Sepulveda.

]]> By: Eric Thornley http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2009/11/17/immigration-panel-incites-free-speech-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-100920 Eric Thornley Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:54:21 +0000 http://nevadasagebrush.com/?p=12890#comment-100920 People, for whatever reason, cannot tolerate dissent these days. It's like we all expected to line up and follow whatever the media or social construction says we have to follow. This is a university. Don't like what the person's saying? Then don't listen. What would happen if Norman Finkelstein or Noam Chomsky spoke here? I don't want want to imagine... People, for whatever reason, cannot tolerate dissent these days. It’s like we all expected to line up and follow whatever the media or social construction says we have to follow. This is a university. Don’t like what the person’s saying? Then don’t listen.

What would happen if Norman Finkelstein or Noam Chomsky spoke here? I don’t want want to imagine…

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