By Elliot Cramer

Guest columnist

Evidently thousands of people are now familiar with the infamous lines "I have a Colt-45 and I know how to use it; I used to be able to hit a quarter at 50 feet 7 times out of 10." My "prowess" is confirmed by the awarding at the National Pistol Championships of a fork, knife, and teaspoon, all sterling silver and engraved with the initials NRA.

These lines were prompted by a midnight e-mail from Nikhil Patel, president of YWC (Youth for Western Civilization), a conservative group that sponsored a talk by Tom Tancredo in April. That talk was halted by student activist demonstrations that included the unfurling of a large banner by Morehead-Cain scholar Haley Koch, blocking the view of Tancredo.

Nikhil considered an anonymous, scurrilous flyer an "indirect threat to (my) safety," thinking I should "plan for some sort of protection." My light-hearted reply was meant to allay his concerns. I copied Chancellor Holden Thorp and Haley Koch because an attempt at intimidation should be of concern to both of them. I threatened no one. At most I implied that I was prepared to defend myself against a physical attack.

I had agreed to be YWC's faculty adviser after the Tancredo incident because I believed that diverse views should be allowed at UNC and as a protest against the disruption of politically incorrect speech; its political philosophy simply did not matter. I have since verified that YWC is NOT a racist organization and has no association with Marcus Epstein, as widely asserted.

I agree with Dan Pollitt that this "is not the Carolina way. Ours is a history of participation ... with all manner of controversial speakers -- and peaceful protests." His complete statement is at www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A393805.

Hodding Carter, a defender of Koch, has said that "Heckling, demonstrations, and all the rest are as American as the Bill of Rights." I disagree.

My resignation has created a stir among conservative groups and has been a boon to their fundraising. Though an apology has been made to Haley Koch for a letter that had nothing to do with her, the university evidently has not been concerned with two anonymous fliers and implied threats to a faculty adviser and student leader. Haley and I have had a brief, cordial relationship; she wrote me saying "I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow ... Will come prepared for a lively discussion."

She has not replied to e-mails since, but I understand she has denied any association with the fliers. Following her court hearing, Haley said "if they desire a fight, they should know that we have the strength and resources for it. We will continue to organize against fascism, racism, and hate speech. These oppressions must not be allowed on our campus or in our communities."

In context, my remarks were harmless, but the actions of the protesters were not. They represent a serious threat to free expression at this university, and I believe that the university should take strong action against those who would interfere with speech, no matter how objectionable.

Correspondence and related materials are on my website. (www.unc.edu/~cramer/ywc).

I do not believe that I have a RIGHT to be a faculty adviser. Although some may consider the chancellor's decision ill-advised, he has the responsibility for doing what he believes is in the best interests of the university. He has strongly supported freedom of speech at UNC and as General Eisenhower wrote, "History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid."

I am delighted that my good friend Hugon Karwowski has agreed to replace me. He grew up under Communism in Poland; I doubt that he will be intimidated by these who would silence dissenters. I am now able to express my opinions freely, and YWC is free to accept advice from me or not, as it wishes. All is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.

YWC is sponsoring a talk by Bay Buchanan on Oct. 8. The chancellor has said that "student affairs and campus police know how to make it work." We shall see.

Elliot M. Cramer is an emeritus professor of psychology in the L.L. Thurstone Psychometric Laboratory of the Psychology Department at UNC.