Despite the clouds of rain over Columbia, students will brave the weather on Monday to attend the lecture from controversial-conservative author Ann Coulter, an event that is sure to generate plenty of protest. Lauren Salz, executive director of the College Republicans, responded to these complaints: "We've run into a lot of criticism that she's a little extreme and that we should have had more moderate speakers, but we have had moderate speakers, it's just people don't pay attention to them. Earlier in the year we hosted the first openly gay senatorial candidate from New York state, we also co-sponsored an event with the moderate Republican Chuck Hagel. We've had a lot of moderate events, they just don't make a big media splash."

Ms. Coulter has made noise at Columbia before, criticizing and mocking the university's S&M group and accusing students of being too liberal with freedom of speech. Nancy Huemer, media director of the College Democrats, sees things a bit differently than Ms. Coulter: "Ann Coulter was once quoted as saying, 'Frankly, I'm not a big fan of the First Amendment.' We, as the College Democrats, disagree. We are big fans of that amendment and her right to free speech under it."

The College Democrats will exercise this First Amendment for Ms. Coulter's appearance at Columbia. Nancy Huemer stated that the College Democrats "will be flyering for an event we're calling a 'Nerdy Sex Party' and it's really just to counter Ann Coulter's previous comments about Columbia."

Regardless of how the event turns out, Ms. Coulter's presence at Columbia has already succeeded in one regard, making students talk. Ms. Huemer argues: "I think the invitation of such an extreme ideologue like Ann Coulter will not help the College Republicans. While it is attention, a lot of attention in their direction, I don't necessarily think it's good attention."

Ms. Salz, however, likes to keep everything in perspective: "If people want to focus the fact that we're bringing in Coulter then they can, but we're still going to hold events that we think are of value to our membership and to the Columbia community and I don't think we can worry too much about our image because we're at Columbia and there's going to be a lot of animosity anyway."

Ann Coulter will be lecturing on Monday at 8 P.M. in Altschul Auditorium, followed by a Q&A session and a book-signing for her latest release. Tickets for the event are no longer available.