Readers react to a column about 12 democrats in the Washington legislature writing a letter to WSU President Kirk Schulz asking him to disavow and defund the WSU College Republicans for creating a “hostile environment” on campus. The letter condemned hateful, violent and alienating rhetoric and actions. The column argues that although the club may have made many people feel uncomfortable with their various demonstrations, legislators should not make it their responsibility to decide which clubs deserve to exist on campus.

Read the full column here. 

Tony Harrell: “A group should not be silenced because of their views. You can dispute them, argue with them or protest them, but you can’t take away their right to speak. This is fundamental in this country. As a liberal, it makes my blood boil when other liberals try to silence the views on the right. Even though those views are most often the opposite of what I believe.”

Faith Martian: “James Allsup did not remove himself. The national Republican Party sent a letter out that anyone who attended the event should step down from leadership — never mind he was a speaker at the event — get the facts straight … WSU’s leadership has been disappointing in these times of hate and racism.”

Darrell G Punningham: “Absolute freedom sets up the conditions for own demise.”

Matthew S. Boisson: “The freedom of speech and the freedom of assembly are excellent tools to shed a light on anything.”

Jake Bieber: “Flip the script and picture a school in the south revoking the recognition of minority clubs. Mob rule isn’t a good idea.”

Alfred Hanson: “Yeah, give students the ability to revoke club funding, that way they can silence anyone who disagrees with their views. Great idea.”