To this nation’s leaders, citizens, allies and my fellow students, I give you my greatest thanks and must apologize for my actions. You have worked hard to create a world which has preserved my liberties in law. You have strived to uproot many of the deep-set inequalities in our world. You have guided me toward a life where I may myself lead a just life of great beauty. I have done little but lend a detached gaze and let your actions pass by. For this, I am gravely sorry and I have realized that I must stand up and protect your gifts and ideals. That, my friends, is why I am a pacifist.

You have taught me that life, liberty and happiness are our greatest ideals. I know that no man is happy, no man is free, and no man can be assured of continued life in times of war. Therefore, in your honor, I will actively oppose war.

You have taught me that all men are created equal. I know that those I may perceive as enemies, and who will be harmed in times of war, arose from the same Earth as myself. Therefore, in your honor, I will actively oppose war.

You have taught me that all men are created with unalienable human rights. I know that a dead man has no rights and even those of the living may be crushed in times of war. Therefore, in your honor, I will actively oppose war.

The education you have presented to me has given me a vast knowledge of this world. I could record many volumes on how one might prevent terrorism non-violently with varying degrees of success. I could fill my life with descriptions of how these actions could accomplish their goals more effectively than fatally violent proposals.

I must again apologize as I have not yet completed these tasks. However, in these times, I shall strive constantly to lead a peaceful life and seek nonviolent resolution to this conflict. As I thank you for your work and your teachings, I hope that you will join me in preserving our mutual ideals.

Matt Denner

Freshman

Liberal arts and sciences