Bush was invited to speak at the Ohio State commencement by representatives of the graduating class. But immediately before class members filed into the giant football stadium, an announcer instructed the crowd that all the university’s speakers deserve to be treated with respect and that anyone demonstrating or heckling would be subject to expulsion and arrest. The announcer urged that Bush be greeted with a “thunderous” ovation.

So, it is true. In part. While I think OSU was way too heavy handed in demanding respect (personally, I do feel that the President deserves respect, I was very angry at a friend of mine who, when graduating from Dartmouth refused to shake hands with Bill Clinton) the University, as a private institution can make such rules if it wants (and people are welcome to challenge them in court if they so desire). It is quite another thing if the police attempt to enforce these rules as they are agents of the state.