Dan Flynn

Clinton Administration officials attempting to make the case for military action against Iraq were shouted down at two Midwestern campuses in late February. Evoking memories of the 1960s, protestors jeered cabinet members with profanity and derisive chants.

At Ohio State University, a media-staged international "town-meeting" went sour when activists pelted government officials with obscenity-laced interruptions. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Secretary of Defense William Cohen, and National Security Advisor Sandy Berger were at times barely audible and incapable of completing sentences due to yells of "racist," "murderer," and "liar."

While only a small number of the 6,000 in attendance were responsible for the outbursts, they succeeded at times in silencing those with whom they disagreed. One protestor was arrested and seven were ejected from the arena for unruly behavior.

Many observers saw the event as a black eye not only for the Clinton Administration but for Ohio State as well. "I’m ashamed of the actions of some people here," explained OSU sophomore Ryan Weddle. "They have no respect. These people are cabinet members."

OSU freshman Greg Wilder lamented, "Now people view Ohio State as a place that can’t behave itself." Incoming OSU President William Kirwain disagreed. "I think the protests made a very dynamic, exciting discussion," he professed.

A similar incident occurred at the University of Minnesota where Bill Richardson, United States ambassador to the United Nations, was prevented from addressing a casual breakfast gathering. "One-two-three-four, we don’t want your racist war," chanted a mob of anti-American protestors.

"While you have not shown a respect for my point of view," Richardson told the demonstrators, "I want to say to you that at least those of you that are protesting are engaged, and I know you care about our country."

Jen Udelhofen, a University of Minnesota junior and member of the Progressive Student Organization, was among those who shouted Richardson down. She defended her actions, explaining that "This man and the administration he represents can have the world’s ears at the snap of his fingers and I think to upstage and take over was correct."

Many saw the Ohio State and Minnesota events as further proof of the lack of respect for free speech on campus. Others put the blame on the Clinton Administration, which has a history of preventing those that disagree with its policies from attending campus events where high government officials speak. During the 1996 presidential campaign, for instance, Republican activists were ushered out of a campus rally at Montclair State University in New Jersey and questioned by Clinton/Gore security merely for holding up pro-Dole placards.

"It was a staged media event," explained T.J. Ghose, a representative of Ohio State’s African Student Union. Ghose, who was ejected from the arena, complained that Secret Service officers "threw me up against the rails and searched me all over."

Young America’s Foundation President Ron Robinson contended, "The Clinton Administration has abused the campuses as a forum of ideas by restricting participants in events to those who support their policies." Robinson, who leads a group that places conservative events on college campuses, added, "Given the lack of respect for free speech on campus, I’m not surprised that it happened."