TKG makes a good point that (a) Random House thinks they have already had the discussion that Levi is advocating, and (b) "what if this open discussion came to the conclusion that the book should not be published?"

As for the freedom of speech issue, Random House is not prohibting anyone's freedom of speech. They have the right to publish or not publish anything they choose. I recall Levi himself deleting certain comments from the old Litkicks site because he believed they were inappropriate. I agreed with his decision.

Of course, if Random House decides not to publish The Jewel of Medina, they should allow Sherry Jones to shop it elsewhere. AND keep the advance.