Princeton certainly responds forcefully when non-conservatives feel threatened. A columnist in the Daily Princetonian wrote, in a piece called, "Open Season," that

Returning from Fall Break, some homosexual students found obscenities — apparently phalluses and other images — sketched on the blackboards outside their rooms. Within a few hours, Whitman College had RCAs, counselors and two deans to the scene. The LGBT Center sent out a notice about the event and encouraged students to mount pink triangles in their windows and doors to show solidarity.

I know from experience that the administration strives mightily for an inclusive, diverse campus. Well, now a part of that campus mosaic has been brutally assaulted, and I'm hoping for a strong, clear statement and action against that violence. Since the emails originated from campus library computers, the assailant may very well be a Princeton student. Will President Shirley Tilghman call for solidarity with conservatives and bring down the hammer hard on the attackers, or will we see a "nuanced" response that calls for understanding of rage against conservatives, caution against a rush to judgment, pleas for conservatives to reflect on how they provoked the uncontrollable anger that led to threats and violence (cue references to global warming, Bush, Iraq, Rove, Israel, Katrina, subprime mortgages, etc.).

I honestly can't predict where this will go. However, the attack and the muted response from the administration and public safety officials are prompting a hot debate in the blog of the Daily Princetonian, which is all to the good, with references to the response to the noose episode at Columbia University.

Like I said, I'll be watching this closely. I really hope the university solves this, and fast, and takes a tough line on the perps. Otherwise, my massive annual two-figure contribution to Annual Giving may go the way of mandatory chapel attendance and beanie caps for freshmen.