To the editor:

The Vickers Memorial Lecture series organized by the Kansas University School of Business has brought notable speakers “to debate or discuss subjects vital to maintaining a free political and market society.” These leaders have included Itzhak Rabin, George Bush, Sandra Day O’Conner and J.C. Watts Jr. This year’s lecturer will be the conservative columnist Ann Coulter. Here are some things she has written recently (from anncoulter.org).

• Dec. 29: “On the basis solely of media coverage, Abu Ghraib was the biggest story of 2004, maybe the biggest story ever. And for good reason: An American soldier was caught on film not only humiliating Iraqi prisoners — but smoking! I personally haven’t been so singularly disturbed by an atrocity since I had to sit through all of ‘The Matrix: Reloaded.'”
• Dec. 22: “Q: … Why do you hate the liberals? A: Because I know so many of them. Liberals are clueless, amoral sexual degenerates, communists and pacifists.”

Or take a look at her book “Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism.”

Treason? We all disagree with someone, but must we hate them? Is this “debate”? Is she promoting “a free political … society”? Aren’t you getting a little tired of hate-mongers whatever their political persuasion? I am. I am embarrassed for my university and my community. Surely they could have found a speaker who has thoughtful things to say about important national issues and is able to communicate with civility. Who’s next, Fred Phelps?

Joe Douglas,

Lawrence