Political activism nonexistent
Good job to those who tried, but more is needed
COMMENTARY
Ryan Salzman

Once again, and possibly for the last time, TCU has let me down. These let downs are usually related to one subject — political activism. Monday about 50 pro-war, pro-Bush supporters mingled in front of Frog Fountain with 10 to 15 anti-war protesters cautiously standing 25 feet to the north.

As far as I can remember this is the largest protest or rally that we have had in my four years here. In the late 1990s TCU was rated one of the most apathetic campuses in the nation, and I have seen nothing to make me believe otherwise.

The really sad part was the way that the rally was conducted. Someone sang a song they had written, some flyers were handed out, and “USA” was chanted for a whole 30 seconds.

I wandered through the crowd hoping to be able to initiate a conversation about politics or the war. The problem was that no one was talking about the war. I felt, instead, that I had wondered into a Greek mixer or maybe a theme party.

One individual wandered over to the anti-war demonstrators to debate. After a few minutes he started professing that he was a moderate with conspiracy theorist tendencies. Although his arguments were weak they were the strongest of any pro-war supporter that I heard. Women took pictures of their groups of friends and the men ate hot dogs. It was a beautiful afternoon and I wasted a full hour in front of the Student Center not discussing current issues or otherwise learning.

In the many conversations that I have had with a wide variety of people on or around campus, I have run into some consistent misconceptions of the anti-war movement. I am sure that these misperceptions have been purposefully forced upon us by our government so I would like to take a moment to correct them.

Anti-war demonstrators are not anti-troops. In fact, many anti-war protesters care more for the troops than the pro-war side. Those who are anti-war are many times for life and against violence. Many pro-war individuals are OK with life being lost and that seems to me to be inconsistent with the idea of “support.” It is like saying that we support a child growing up not knowing his or her father. (Children are losing their fathers every day because of this war.)

Anti-war supporters are not pro-Saddam. This is one of the most ludicrous lies that has permeated throughout our society. Our government would have us believe that if you are against Bush then you are for Saddam. The protesters recognize that Saddam is evil, they just don’t believe that this is the proper way to depose him.

Anti-war protesters are not anti-American. This country was founded on the idea that individuals could make a difference. By protesting they are utilizing the rights bestowed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It is as if they are more American than many who passively support the majority. Beyond that, this majority is one of the more tyrannical that we have seen since the 1950s. Tyranny of the majority is explicitly targeted as being against American ideals by our founding fathers.

A great man once said, “Loyalty to our country, always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it.” These protesters are for America but against the Bush administration. This is a valid distinction that has been drawn.

I applaud the pro-war demonstrators for being out there. I more adamantly applaud those few anti-war protesters for appearing for at least the third time in a week. We must remember that it is harder to stand virtually alone as the anti-war folks did and do than amongst forty of your friends for an hour or so.

Ryan Salzman is a senior political science major from Temple. He can be reached at (r.w.salzman@tcu.edu).