As I announced last week, I’ve been invited up to UMass Amherst to give a talk this week. The organizers of the event wanted me to talk about the need to win the war in Iraq. But that’s been changed to the war on terror more broadly, which is fine.

Anyway, I just got a call from my speakers bureau warning me that apparently something appeared on Salon about the gig (which explains a spike in my hate mail of late) and now the campus Republicans (my host) are getting harassed with angry email from lefties furious about me coming up. Apparently the nature and intensity of the complaints (you can imagine what they’re like, I’m sure) have required getting more security than they would normaly have and my speakers bureau wanted to warn me about the potential for a very hostile reception. I doubt there will be anything of “don’t taze me bro!” intensity or hilarity, but you never know. I’m not particularly worried, but I do hope friendlies will attend as well.

Update: From a reader:

Jonah,
Personally I find it hysterical that it’s the liberal academic establishment and their sophomoric supporters that would like to prevent you from speaking. If I drive up to Amherst, can I stand behind you in a leather jacket, black beret, and foster grants while you “speak truth to power”? I’ll be happy to menace the crowd with an AK47 to protect you from the ravages of “the man” ala Huey Newton.