Yesterday I realized what it means to live in the United States.

Walking outside, like many of you, I was horrified by the sounds and pictures around campus.

Everywhere I turned, there was someone yelling about the rights of unborn children or showing pictures of aborted fetuses.

Why are they out here? Why our university?

I soon realized that it was to get attention.

Where else can you go in Iowa and possibly reach 25,000 or more people? The answer is clear: a college campus.

I thought there had to be a law against this; I even felt at one point DPS should break them up.

Then I realized that this is America.

In 1776, European Americans fought for their “God-given” rights.

Soon came the struggle for suffrage by women and African Americans.

Even today, people are still fighting.

Literally, women, men and children cross oceans on rafts to get where we are today.

Why? Because the First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

These people, no matter how much you or I disagree, have the right to gather, the right to speak there mind, and for all intents and purposes, scare the hell out of both you and me.

We have this right as well. We can confront these people and debate the issue.

Living in the United States gives all of us rights that we sometimes take for granted.

Even though I in no way endorse or sympathize with the views these people bring to our campus, it is their right.

If it bothers you, angers you or, as in my case, disgusts you, take a stand!

It is your “God-given” right.

Joe Roman

Senior

History