I'm just curious as to who the author thinks should decide what is beyond the pale and what isn't. Do we determine this via some absurd Direct Democracy? Do we allow the "Elites" the the wealthiest among us to determine it? Do we allow government bureaucrats to decide? I suspect the person he wants to decide is the person who he agrees with. THAT is the problem.

Free speech is only important as far as it allows *unpopular* ideas breathing space.

Free speech is also a governmental issue - no one in the private space should be required to let people speak on their grounds. However hypocrisy should always be pointed out. You let freak-en Ahmadinejad speak you really don't have a leg to stand on about 'unpopular views' that shouldn't be aired on college campuses.