Fighting Violets or Shrinking Violets?

Eugene Volokh writes that my old alma mater, New York University, violated its own stated policy when it decided to close to the press an event at which the infamous Danish Mohammad cartoons would be displayed. As most everyone else who's commented on this has noted, they're within their rights as a private institution to do what they want here, but it's both contrary to the spirit of open debate in an academic setting and a terrible precedent that gives the impression that respectful disagreement is less effective than being loud and violent.

Addendum: Sully reports that Borders and Waldenbooks stores won't be stocking the next ish of Free Inquiry, which also reprints several of the cartoons.