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Free speech debate rages at UC Irvine

College campuses, especially at public universities, are places where all ideas should be expressed and debated. No speech ever should be stopped or punished because of the viewpoint expressed. Of course, there must be rules to regulate the time, place and manner of such expression to preserve order and even to make sure that speech can occur.

These general principles are unassailable, but their application to recent events at the University of California, Irvine has attracted international attention. Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren was invited by several sponsors, including the law school, of which I am dean, and the political science department, of which I am a member, to speak at the university earlier this month.

Prior to this event, campus officials heard rumors that some members of the Muslim Student Union planned to disrupt the ambassador's speech by having a series of students yell so Oren could not be heard. One after another, they would rise and shout, so that as each was escorted away, another would be there to make sure the ambassador did not get to speak. When asked, the officials of the Muslim Student Union denied any plans to do this.

Unfortunately, this is exactly what occurred. After the first disruptions, the audience was admonished that such behavior was not acceptable within the university, and that those who engaged in such conduct would be arrested and face student disciplinary proceedings.

Despite these warnings, 11 individuals rose and shouted so the ambassador could not be heard. At one point, he left the stage, but thankfully was persuaded to return and deliver his address.

Eleven individuals were arrested, and those who are UCI students are facing disciplinary action. I've been deluged with messages from those saying the disruptive students did nothing wrong and deserve no punishment, and also from those saying the students should be expelled, and that others in the audience who cheered them on should be disciplined.

Both of these views are wrong. As to the former, there were posters placed around campus referring to the unjust treatment of the "Irvine 11" and saying they were just engaging in speech themselves. However, freedom of speech never has been regarded as an absolu

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