A self-proclaimed "scary guy," leading conservative David Horowitz criticized Penn State and universities nationwide last night for what he considers left-wing domination.

In his presentation, "The Hate-America Left on College Campuses," given at the Kern Building, Horowitz, president of the Center for the Study of Popular Culture, expressed his concerns over what he sees as liberal control of America's universities.

"What has happened to our universities is a tragedy," Horowitz said. "I think what has happened is that you're all getting a liberal education."

Horowitz is best known at Penn State for his advertisement titled "Ten Reasons Why Reparations for Slavery is a Bad Idea" that caused a stir on college campuses in March 2001. Last night, he warned a crowd of about 120 at the Kern Building about what he considers leftists' dangerous views, especially in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"Instead of thinking, looking at the issues as they are, the real world, it carries on a campaign of hate," Horowitz said of the left.

Horowitz, who was invited to speak by the Penn State College Republicans, also condemned protests to America's war on terrorism by students at 150 universities across the country.

A self-described former radical who took part in the first anti-Vietnam War demonstration at the University of California, Berkeley in 1968, Horowitz asked students to think before they act.

"I've learned some hard lessons," Horowitz said. "I know people do this for the best intentions, but you always have to look at the real-world effects of what you believe and what you do."

Horowitz cited arguments that student protests against the Vietnam War actually prolonged the conflict. He warned that a peace movement now would hurt America.

"Pride in your country is important in war, morale is important," Horowitz said. "The most dire effect of the peace movement is that it saps the morale of America."

Audience reaction to Horowitz' ideas was varied. Several times throughout the question-and-answer period following Horowitz' remarks, members of the crowd openly voiced displeasure at his responses.

Ramy Nasr, Muslim Student Association director of public relations, described Horowitz's speech as "prejudice, misinformed, misleading, very deceptive and contradicting."

"My thinking is that his ideas, although well thought out, are more dangerous than good because they can be used to justify racial and ethnic discrimination, prejudice and imperialism," said Jameka Green (junior-journalism). "He wasn't able or willing to take on issues people felt strongly about."

Mike Gallo, vice chairman of the College Republicans, said he expected dissent from the crowd.

"You can't change everybody's mind, but you can help plant a seed," Gallo said. "The main point of tonight was to get the information out there."