Protest report unfair
I have a few words for the writers of the article on the "Free Trade Protest." The protest wasn't about just a group of "tree-hugging hippies" who felt like marching Friday, it was a huge number of American citizens using their constitutional rights to convey a message to the public. It was a message about their government and the corporations from whom they make purchases. The protest was to make people aware that corporations are looking for another form of slavery, whether it be children in Taiwan or the poor of Brazil. The protest was to inform the public that it's not about people anymore to these big corporations, but that it's about profit.
Then, to show even more lack of a regard for the people who were all risking jail and their safety from gun toting, baton-loving cops, the Wildcat only spoke of their arrests. It was obvious the Wildcat was only in search of another riot report. Those were peaceful protesters, and there was no mass destruction or assault on any of the bystanders.
The thing that got to me most was that the Wildcat even had the audacity to mention the riots. The newspaper took a battle for human rights and compared it with those stupid jock fest riots. It took the chance to report real news on what's happening on this half of the globe and turned it into an arrest report. The paper will print racist remarks and call it freedom of speech, but nothing about the government?
Rebekah Castro
veterinary sciences freshman
Column off base
I know I cannot be the only one growing tired of Jessica Lee's commentaries, especially the most recent one in yesterday's Wildcat. I have had the privilege to visit and live in several foreign countries, and contrary to Jessica's conclusion that foreign nations dislike Americans based on the political and economic decisions made by our government, most of the dislike for Americans is based on the fact that the majority of Americans consistently behave in a rude and obnoxious manner.
The Bush administration is hardly responsible for instigating such dislike for Americans around the world. Note: Apparently the Bush administration does reflect the views of the voting majority of this country, as the Florida recount has been completed after the fact, and guess who still won?
I may not agree with the decisions made by the American government (flashback to eight years under the Clinton administration), and I may be embarrassed by the behavior and attitudes that foreign countries see as representative of most Americans, but I will always be proud to say "I am an American, and I am a United States Marine." In spite of people like Lee who will only admit to being "an American" in the comfort and freedom of their homeland, we continue to train, to fight, and die to serve and protect our country and your freedom to be a coward who is ashamed of your country.
Amary Wagner
biochemistry and psychology senior
LCpl USMCR
Lee should be thankful
There have been many commentaries I have wanted to respond to, but this one really got to me. Lee should be thankful that she gets to tour Europe in the first place. Instead of focusing on what Europeans think of Americans, she should be focusing on what beautiful sights she is going to see. As long as she respects the lands and the peoples that she encounters, she should be fine.
Yes, Bush is doing his darndest to piss of the entire world, but perhaps politics could be left out of something for a change. Maybe if she is polite and respectful, Europeans won't assume the worst about all Americans. I know that if I had the chance to back-pack across Europe, the last thing on my mind would be what they think of Americans. Lee must also keep in mind that Americans have stereotypes about Europeans, too.
Linda Ashcraft
fine arts freshman
Lack of patriotism disturbing
It is disturbing to read articles like Jessica Lee's "Hiding Behind My Flag" printed in yesterday's Wildcat. She seems to be ashamed to be an American simply because of her lack of faith in the government that runs it. That is precisely why I am proud to be an American. America was a huge experiment. It was an experimental form of government that put its faith in people rather than big government. Obviously, Bush is certainly no rocket scientist of any sort. He is just a normal guy. That, however, gives me comfort. America is about conflicting beliefs, and was designed so that no one person or faction's views would gather complete control over its citizens. I don't want a president who is some kind of elite genius who thinks he knows what's better for the people than they do themselves.
That was one of Bush's main campaign slogans. He wants to put the power back in the people. That's why he is cutting many governmental programs. And yes, many of these programs provide money to people in need of it. I am baffled though as to why people are so impressed with the fact that government can tax the hell out of it's citizens, then give them some of their own money back. It's like loaning your friend 20 bucks, not paying you back, then giving you 5 bucks a few months down the line, and you being grateful for it. In America, the government is there to protect your basic human rights and protect property rights so that people can trade freely. That's it!
As for French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine that Jessica Lee mentioned, America is the unchallenged economic superpower because of its hard-working citizens, not a government that thinks it can control everything. Therefore, there is no irony in the fact that we have a president that believes in his citizens, rather than himself and the glory of the government.
Kevin Durkin
business sophomore
