Horowitz ad was out of line

To the Editor:

I was shocked today at the slew of nonsense printed on the pages of The Herald. I'm of course referencing the recent ad posted by David Horowitz's conservative trash truck of a "student organization,'" the Students for Academic Freedom.

The dishonesty of this maniacal front is apparent to any sensible reader with a shred of integrity.

I find it fascinating that David Horowitz's "Freedom Center" espouses a belief in "individual freedom" and "limited government" when its core goal conflates politics and religion while requesting the abolishment of selective student organizations.

Is it meaningful to compare, as it does on its Web site, the Muslim Students Association and the College Republicans? I would think not. For one, the MSA is a religious group, not a political faction explicitly pushing a political agenda. But therein lies one indication of the SAF's incompetence.

In specific response to the ad, the assertions are bigoted and unfounded. Citing selective remarks by Muslim students at other schools, misconstruing those opinions as jihad and then branding the Brown MSA as an assembly of Islamic extremists is slanderous and dishonest. It is unabashed propaganda.

I demand The Herald repudiate said advertisement. I hope my remarks are not misinterpreted as an attack on freedom of speech. Any level-headed reader understands the difference between promoting freedom of speech and prioritizing financial interest.

Anthony Badami '11 Oct. 16