As I read Kaitlyn Farrell's article, 'Clinton's 'plantation' gaffe troubling' (January 27, 2006), I had many questions.
Is Farrell saying that she completely disagrees with American tradition, and feels that having free speech and open and healthy political discussion in this country is a bad thing that would erode the faith and trust that citizens have in our government? Is Farrell saying that Sen. Clinton, D-NY, was wrong for vocally and openly pointing out flaws in the system?
If I am understanding Farrell's statements correctly, I guess I do not agree with her because freedom of speech, the ability of people to openly point out flaws in the system, openly question things and the ability to openly express opinions are things that define the United States and distinguish this country from other countries.
Granted, Farrell's motivations were not negative. Farrell expressed taking comfort in knowing that a unified government is protecting this country.
However, unification does not necessarily mean that American politicians (Democrat or Republican) should stop vocally and openly expressing their views, and it does not mean that, as a country, we should just silently ignore problems that exist in this country.
Openly talking about issues is still important. I strongly disagree with Farrell's expressed opinion that politicians in this country should keep their harsh opinions to themselves. I think that Clinton perhaps could have chosen different words to express her views. However, all things considered, I do not necessarily think what Clinton said was entirely inaccurate and uncalled for'particularly given the events of Hurricane Katrina.
Maybe Clinton did not choose her words carefully enough to satisfy some people'but at least as a politician she had the courage to speak out. As a voter, I respect that.
In Adam James' Jan. 26th letter to the editor, 'Stop the War could use a lesson in respect,' he accuses Stop The War of 'encircling a building, calling other students baby-killers and throwing rocks.' Stop the War never did that. With all due respect, Mr. James made that up.
While Stop the War has witnessed undercover police officers videotaping us during and after peaceful demonstrations, the UW Administration dropped its investigation of Stop the War over Christmas break, because they found no evidence of wrongdoing.
However, the same cannot be said of the College Republicans and pro-war demonstrators. The April 16th, 2005 front page of the Daily Cardinal clearly shows a photograph with the caption 'College Republican LaVonne Derksen pushes anti-war protester Bob Veith in a confrontation at University Square.' Mr. Veith is military veteran and member of Veterans for Peace.
Further, Stop the War contacted the College Republicans and ROTC during the fall semester, to setup a moderated debate on the war, but was told that no one was interested.
Stop the War members have gone to great legnths to educate people about the history of Iraq, about Saddam Hussein's long standing alliance with Ronald Reagan and Donald Rumsfield throughout the 1980s, and about the real reasons the U.S. military continues to stay in Iraq'to ensure economic and political domination by transnational corporate powers.
