Beyond seeing some blogospheric comments I have not followed the controversy over Harvard inviting, and then disinviting, the anti-semitic Irish poet Tim Paulin, who has been quoted as saying “Brooklyn-born Jews” who settle in Israel “should be shot…. I think they are Nazis, racists. I have nothing but hatred for them.” Charming fellow.
Since as I understand it what was involved was simply an invitation to speak, not the bestowal of an honor, I’ve been surprised that I haven’t noticed any expressions of free speech concern. (Not legal arguments, since Harvard is ostensibly private, just free speech concern.) Would/should Harvard have disinvited the fascist Ezra Pound? T.S. Eliot’s views wouldn’t have won him many Jewish friends, either.
I am no longer surprised, however, that Erin O’Connor has posted eloquently about some of these issues.
Eugene Volokh (link) has also posted some on whether the First Amendment applies to Harvard in this situation (sorry I don’t have the permalink, check posts for November 12, 2002)