Letter: Khalil is wrong, but I'll still defend him

I disagree with 97% of what Mahmoud Khalil (the Palestinian activist detained by federal agents for his role leading protests at Columbia University) says. To me he is a royal pain in the rear end. But I also realize that I am a royal pain to very many of you.

The Declaration says that all men (humans) are created equal, not just citizens. The First Amendment does not restrict itself to citizens. To be a patriot is not to just declare that your nation is the greatest but to not only make sure it stays that way and also to make it a little better every day.



Every day to make it the best it has ever been. I defend Mahmoud’s right to free speech not only from my obligation to him, but also to myself. Bob Peckman, Roanoke.