I would like to address the people on campus who were protesting the war in Afghanistan. First of all, they have the right to a peaceful protest and I have no problem with that.

But I do have a problem with their inability to grasp the reality of the situation. Granted, war is not good. But they propose that we negotiate with these people rather than fight them. But how do you negotiate with religious fanatics who believe that what they are doing gets them in good graces with God?

Answer – you don’t. Over the years the United States has tried and promoted others to negotiate with these people and what did it get us? We are now minus two World Trade Center buildings and minus thousands of American lives. Talking is seen as a sign of weakness and makes them more likely to do something like that again. It’s now time for action, not words.

Violence is the only thing these terrorists will understand. The major point the United States is trying to make with these terrorists is that if you come after us, it will be met with dire consequences; not, if you come after us, we will talk to you.

The time for talk is over, as al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations are finding out, or are about to find out.

Shawn Beard

ISU Alum, 1999