Keep it civil and keep the children out
I would like to commend John McCormack for his well-communicated position on the fight between pro-life and pro-choice (“Look to civil debate on abortion, not extremism,” Oct. 23, p. 4). While I have a different position than he does on abortion itself, I agree that the screaming, the hellfire messages, and the pictures of dismembered babies do not change people’s minds – they only fire up both sides.
However, I think the author missed the mark on two points. First, the fact that students would come out and counter-protest but not come to a civil debate on the issue this past month is not a bad thing. Events and debates pertaining to politically contentious subjects generally don’t draw the moderates and the undecided – they usually draw the people who already know exactly where they stand so they can shake their heads disapprovingly at everything the opposition says.
Second, I was surprised that he did not speak to the fact that anti-abortion protesters brought young children to hold their grotesque signs. Children have no place in a protest, and they are usually used by elders to win emotional support. A child does not have the opportunity to analyze both sides of the issue in question. They are simply told that mommy and daddy are right.
It also can’t be good for an eight year old to stare at pictures of dismembered fetuses all day, or to hear the angry, bitter and often four-letter words exchanged in such a feud. Protesters: keep the kids away from your battle.
Kasey M. Dunton, Alumna , Class of 2005
Not the true Christian message
I am a Christian who supports the pro-life movement and its efforts to save the unborn. I’m writing to you because the Christianity I know was not represented in last week’s abortion protests.
The anti-abortion protesters on campus used the Bible to espouse hatred. They chanted things such as, “God hates the wicked,” and they passed out literature that changed the acronym, WWJD (What would Jesus do?), into “Who would Jesus Damn?”
I believe in the gospel of love and compassion, not the gospel of hate and accusation. I have found through my study of scripture and life experience that the Word of God is an all-powerful force that preaches love for all people.
The hatred that was used by the protesters was not beneficial to their cause nor was it beneficial to their faith. The people with whom I attend Church each Sunday are not people who espouse damnation. They are Christians who preach love and compassion. That is the Christianity I know and practice.
Brand Kroeger, Sophomore
Poor coverage of ‘Vern’ activities
Upon seeing Monday’s edition of The Hatchet, I noticed that the article about Colonials Weekend (“Seinfeld show headlines weekend,” p. 1) did not mention one of the biggest events from last Saturday: Octoberfest.
This annual event, sponsored by the Mount Vernon Programming Council, was held on the Mount Vernon campus and had more than 2,000 people in attendance this year.
Dean Siegel’s Freshman Families Reception with more than 600 people in attendance, brunch at Ames Dining Room, art exhibits, a continuation of the French Films Festival and Mount Vernon alumnae activities were also well attended but failed to be mentioned in The Hatchet.
The article gave the impression that there were no events held on Mount Vernon, and it is frustrating that our campus was ignored. The fact that 2,000 people came to the Vern on Saturday for just one event is evidence of the growing importance and significance of this great campus. I hope that future events on Mount Vernon will not be overlooked by The Hatchet.
-Elizabeth Kramer and Melanie Samper
Octoberfest Planning Co-Chairs
