I find it abhorrent that Theresa Wilson dares call the good-natured protest by College Republicans during the recent Harkin rally “immature and pathetic” when her previous statement calls the Lightfoot supporters “little more than a walking advertisement for retroactive abortion.”

How sadly ironic it is that she says this in her complaint about the lack of respect for the political process.

While I cannot speak for Democrats in general, or certainly the ISU Democrats, as a Republican I am proud to state that I feel no compulsion to wish death upon those whose political views differ from my own.

Rather, I pride myself on using pointed, but civil, political debates to persuade those who disagree with me, not personal attacks, and certainly not by wishing “retroactive abortions” on anyone.

If statements like hers uphold the “morals and decency” of which Wilson states the Democratic party partakes of, then it is indeed the Democrats that hold a monopoly on those values. When vocal political protests on public property are “immature and pathetic” and have no “respect for the political process,” then democracy is in dire straits. Freedom of political speech and civil political discourse are the fundamental tenants of our democracy. Protesting on public grounds while purposefully moving so as to not interfere with anyone’s ability to attend the Harkin rally is in accordance with the utmost in civility and respect for the American political process.

I feel that the College Republicans and the Iowa State community as a whole are due an apology from Theresa Wilson for her statements of intolerance and deliberate mean-spiritness.

I do believe that her sentiments are not indicative of the general attitude of the ISU Democrats and that party in general, and I certainly hope that to be the case.

David Hansen

Freshman

Political Science