Tim Kearns’ April 7 column, “Liberals are loud, as they need to be,” propagated some unfortunate misconceptions about Republicans.

First, I don’t know much about this Minnesota law, but generally in the United States, protesters are only arrested when they cross a line or become violent. In that case, I would be relieved as a Minnesotan taxpayer to see such protesters paying for their own arrest, rather than my hard-earned tax dollars.

Second, Kearns says: “This is just a target to those evil people who want to participate in government.”

Throwing rocks at policemen and blocking traffic in busy intersections is not what most people consider productive government participation. If they really wanted to get involved, they would write letters to the editor, write their congressmen, or at least protest peacefully where people can see them.

Usually protesters who end up arrested care more about making a scene than about making a statement.

Thirdly, Kearns says that “the right wing is pretty silent about things,” compared to vocal liberal protesters.

As a member of the “right wing,” I see protests as a rather juvenile and futile way to attempt to get one’s point across. I would much rather engage in political debate with my opponent, but unfortunately, this type of activity doesn’t get as much media coverage.

Maybe right-wingers just understand that no one is going to be convinced of anything by a protest.

Any American can go out in a street and yell their head off about injustices and wrongdoings. Unfortunately, such behavior has been likened, over time, to one’s civic duty to participate in the political process. And if that’s what makes you feel satisfied that you’ve accomplished something when you go home at night, more power to you.

But some of us feel that we can better improve our country by stating our positions based on facts and beliefs, rather than resorting to Kearns’ self-described liberal tactic of being “loud.”

As President Teddy Roosevelt said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”

Amy Peet

Freshman

Biology