By Neil Heinen
Editorial Director

We can't seem to get away from it. But it's because the issues swirling around the University of Wisconsin and Kevin Barrett matter are so important that each one that comes up seems to demand our attention.

For the most part, we've taken issue with the reactions to lecturer Kevin Barrett's personal beliefs regarding the incidents of Sept. 11 and the content of the Islamic studies class that he will teach this fall.

We trusted the UW finding that Barrett was, like most teachers, able to keep his personal beliefs and his teaching separate and we trust students to seek the truth. We've supported the UW against those seeking to make political hay out of the situation.

But the UW's not making it easy for us. Provost Patrick Farrell is now asking Barrett to refrain from identifying himself with UW-Madison in his political messages and to control his interest in publicity. That seems to differ with the UW's relationship with other employees. It's hard to imagine asking researcher Jamie Thomson to control his interest in publicity.

But ultimately what it comes down to is this: Has the UW switched from defending academic freedom and free speech, to quelling it? Even with controversial views, we're much more comfortable with the former than the latter.

What do you think? Give your two cents in Channel 3000's TALKBACK section.