Also posted on my website:
I saw the protest today. After my Political Science class (where I learned that if a democratic country loses a conflict, its leader faces a 90% chance of removal), I walked through the Diag on my way to my EECS class. Poets were scattered all over the walkways reading their works.
Protesters stood near the brass 'M' and chanted, "Hey Bush! Hey what? You are not my president!"
I kept silent. Quickly, the rage built inside my chest, and I walked into Angell Hall feeling ready to burst. It makes me so happy that my fellow students take advantage of the United States' excellent government-sponsored public education system, and they have the nerve to declare their 'secession' from the country.
These protesters might not like George W. Bush, and they almost certainly disagree with his jingoist rhetoric, but god dammit, they'd better accept the fact that George Bush is their president. I'm sure these protesters would be happier in Canada, or North Korea, or more appropriately, Baghdad. A shout of "Sadaam Hussein, you are not my president!" would assure a protester a spot in a mass grave by that afternoon.
It's a two way street. Take advantage of your right to protest, but declare yourself un-American? It just doesn't make sense to me. I look at these protesters and see leeches on our country. They ride the city busses with me, and they go to state-sponsored classes with me. They even use the same non-gender-segregated drinking fountains as me. But apparently, they think Iraq is fine just the way it is, where none of the previous statements apply if you publicly disagree with the government.
Think twice about all the freedoms and opportunities afforded to you in America. Many of us wouldn't be at the U of M if it cost $65,000 per year. But I think it's a safe bet that many foreigners would gladly pay that sum if they had the money. Their countries simply don't offer the educational opportunities (for any sum of money) that are available to us. Maybe the American government isn't so bad.
I saw the protest today. After my Political Science class (where I learned that if a democratic country loses a conflict, its leader faces a 90% chance of removal), I walked through the Diag on my way to my EECS class. Poets were scattered all over the walkways reading their works.
Protesters stood near the brass 'M' and chanted, "Hey Bush! Hey what? You are not my president!"
I kept silent. Quickly, the rage built inside my chest, and I walked into Angell Hall feeling ready to burst. It makes me so happy that my fellow students take advantage of the United States' excellent government-sponsored public education system, and they have the nerve to declare their 'secession' from the country.
These protesters might not like George W. Bush, and they almost certainly disagree with his jingoist rhetoric, but god dammit, they'd better accept the fact that George Bush is their president. I'm sure these protesters would be happier in Canada, or North Korea, or more appropriately, Baghdad. A shout of "Sadaam Hussein, you are not my president!" would assure a protester a spot in a mass grave by that afternoon.
It's a two way street. Take advantage of your right to protest, but declare yourself un-American? It just doesn't make sense to me. I look at these protesters and see leeches on our country. They ride the city busses with me, and they go to state-sponsored classes with me. They even use the same non-gender-segregated drinking fountains as me. But apparently, they think Iraq is fine just the way it is, where none of the previous statements apply if you publicly disagree with the government.
Think twice about all the freedoms and opportunities afforded to you in America. Many of us wouldn't be at the U of M if it cost $65,000 per year. But I think it's a safe bet that many foreigners would gladly pay that sum if they had the money. Their countries simply don't offer the educational opportunities (for any sum of money) that are available to us. Maybe the American government isn't so bad.
