Since attending David Horowitz’s lecture at the University of Texas Wednesday night, I’ve been in a mixed state of exhilaration and dread. Exhilaration from adrenaline when a normally courteous, middle aged mother finds herself fighting full out with an irrational mob; a chilling dread of what the Left is doing to our youth, aptly demonstrated by the student pawns who tried to shut down Horowitz’ speech. Of course they made his point about the state of our campuses better than any lecture could.
I’ve attended Horowitz’s talks at UT in past years. There were the usual tedious, hostile rampages posing as questions during the Q & A, but no threat of shutting down the lecture. This time they almost succeeded, as Horowitz rightly refused to talk over persistent cell phone ringing, air horns, shouting and signs. Aggression from the Left is intensifying. This time I wondered if I had erred by sitting front row center, in the line of fire of a pie - or worse. Yet once the rabble attacked, our group stood up against them, adrenaline and outrage trumping anxiety. It was gratifying to toss decorum aside and shout back at these thugs to shut up, go home and grow up. When they shook their fists, we shook ours back. When one charged down the aisle sputtering and shouting, we rose against him yelling “Let Horowitz speak!” among other suggestions. When some acted victimized at being cuffed and led out by police we cried, “Whaa, baby, go home!” At one point the room erupted into a cacophony of yelling from both sides about rights, fascism and free speech.
Of course, by forcing the radicals out we preserved our own free speech, rather than shutting theirs down as they alleged. They were free to hear the talk and ask questions, or go elsewhere and endlessly spew. But they claimed we were “fascists” for not allowing them to shut down our meeting. When we left they were waiting for us outside, again calling us fascists. We pointed out that they were suppressing Horowitz’ free speech. And that they were sad little boys. They shouted that we were pawns of the corporations. “So’s your daddy,” we retorted, and left. Which felt really good - until exhilaration faded and dread set in.
The scene at UT wasn’t mere juvenile antics. It was a clear indication of the Left’s intensified, sinister attempt to intimidate and dominate. For the first time I experienced directly how fragile the First Amendment is and how it is under assault.
I think these bullies were shocked that we stood up to them. I’m guessing they, and their counterparts across the country, usually succeed at intimidating civilized people. So we need to be less civilized! Our freedoms and our nation are at stake. We need to chuck our dignity and manners and stand up with courageous people like David Horowitz, support him in this struggle for our country’s future. Rather than a jolly night of rabble rousing, attempting to shut down a lecture must become a very unpleasant experience. And besides, letting loose on a bunch of rude leftists really is a great adrenaline rush.