A Selective Critique

The staff's attempt to pre-empt a possible Jewish protest against Yasser Arafat is wholly uncalled for. Was there any staff criticism of black students' interruption of Charles A. Murray '65's Bell Curve lecture, either before or after the fact? Or of the disruptions of antiabortion activists during presidential candidate Arlen Specter's political address last spring?

We believe such criticism directed at Jewish groups is selective and hypocritical--especially since The Crimson has no concrete knowledge that such a protest will occur. Since when has journalism been based upon rumor?

We absolutely agree with The Crimson's desire to protect free speech inside and outside both classroom and lecture hall. But this stance must be applied universally. It should be called upon only with regard to specific infractions and not as some version of a preemptive strike. In this editorial we have nothing more than politically correct indulgence.