Cog in the wheel

Jake Glickfield, a GW sophomore (and future cog in the machine) seems to miss the point of protests (“Commies in D.C.?” Nov. 17, p. 4). Let’s lay down some ground rules to start: First, everyone has a right to express an opinion. Second, an opinion is not invalid simply because it is goes against the status quo. Third, this country’s formation was the result of protest movements.

The government’s war in Iraq concerns many people. The government’s reasoning for the war concerns many people. People should be able to disagree publicly with the government; this is basic. Attempts to vilify protesters not only fulfill Glickfield’s duty as a conservative to stifle social and political change, but it also betrays his ignorance of the issues. An example of this is his calling protesters “anti-Semites.” Protesting the Israeli occupation of Palestinian towns is not “anti-Semitic.” The sooner everyone can figure out this seemingly obvious fact, the better. Secondly, “Jobs not War” does not imply communism. Glickfield states, “whoever wrote that one must have been a communist, seeing how in a capitalist economy the government does not control industry.” Whoops, I guess I was under the impression the government did have a huge role in the economy and industry. Either way, so what if they are communists (although that’s neither here nor there)?

Glickfield argues against people who “make conservatives afraid to express their ideas for fear of being branded oppressors.” Might I suggest to everyone out there that if one of the problems you experience is fear of being labeled an oppressor, you should probably reevaluate your “ideas.” The problem with objecting to protest is that it is “oppressive.” You are the status quo, your policies are the ones in place, you risk nothing by expressing them – unlike the protesters.

–David Angelo, junior