In defense of anti-war protesters

This is in response to Tonya Shur’s recent letter to the editor, “Anti-war protesters were wrong.”

I participated in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day march and celebration, and I carried an “anti war” sign that quoted MLK.

I did not “crash” the march. The march was open to the public, and as a Bowling Green citizen and social activist, I wanted to join the rest of the nation to celebrate Dr. King, who was not only anti war, he was anti-violence.

Clearly, war is violence.

It was extremely disheartening to be asked to stand in the back of the parade. Nonetheless, the march was exhilarating. I hope that Shur understands what went on that day. People demanded social justice.

People joined together in celebration of an activist who dedicated his life to human rights. We were practicing our rights as concerned U.S. citizens to let the world know that the United States’ violent threats are not fair and do not solve our problems with Iraq.

The speakers at the celebration in Van Meter also let it be known that Dr. King was opposed to violence and war.

As Dr. King said in his 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech:

“Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method, which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”

Farrah Ferriell

Bowling Green graduate student

Military deserves respect

I have watched the news for weeks, and as time progresses the concern remains: Will we go to war or not?

As a veteran of the Vietnam Era, I experienced firsthand the lack of respect and the hateful way that Vietnam veterans were treated.

I am worried that we are on a path that could cause similar expressions of disrespect toward veterans. The support for the first Gulf War does not seem to be present as the possibility of going back looms.

People who enter the military do so at all times, not just during times of peace or potential war.

These enlistments happen for all sorts of reasons — pure patriotism, a lack of direction in career matters, the need for assistance to pay for college, etc.

People who enlist are unable to disagree with the government’s plan. When your orders come to you, you must comply.

Military people are in the service to protect our country. Even when a person doesn’t agree with their country’s actions, they are willing to walk into hostile situations.

These are our families. They are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters. They are important to someone.

If the United States does go to battle, no matter what you feel about that decision to fight, I hope you will remain respectful.

When the military returns home, welcome them with open arms and love. Not with hateful signs and accusations of murder and immorality.

Randy Wilson

Veterans Upward Bound

Western Kentucky University

Parking rules should apply to everyone

Monday morning I arrived on campus two hours early to get a parking space in the Diddle lot, which is reserved for commuters.

As I sat in my car, I noticed that “the ticket lady” was checking for parking passes on nearby cars. She checked a few cars then stopped at a Mustang to write a ticket. After she placed the ticket on the window, she continued walking through the lot.

Fifteen minutes later, I decided to go on to class. As I got out of my car, I couldn’t help but notice that “the ticket lady” had not written a ticket to a car with a faculty/staff red permit that was parked in the commuter lot.

If the faculty and staff do not obey parking rules, how can you expect students to obey them? I am outraged. The rules for parking should apply to everyone, not just students.

Furthermore, I find it pathetic that commuter parking lots are in the most inconvenient places possible. Commuters do not deserve to be treated this way just because we don’t live on campus.

When it comes down to it, the students pay to attend Western, not the faculty and staff.

Brandi Banniza

freshman

Smyrna, Tenn.