Common sense a solution to our alcohol problems

Frankly, I was appalled by the tone of Daniel Schwartz’s Friday letter. He had the nerve to suggest that perhaps people should be accountable for their own actions. What does he think we are, rational and intelligent beings of free will? I think I speak for most with the United States when I say, “It’s not my fault.”

If I get hammered and fall out of a third-story window, clearly it’s because the university failed to put cast iron bars on all the window frames. If I consume an entire handle of vodka in 15 minutes and fall into an alcohol-induced coma, the fault lies solely with my fraternity for not properly buttressing my lack of common sense. Oh, and if I die because of my own stupidity, naturally the only honorable thing to do would be for my family to pursue legal recourse and take millions of dollars from an innocent institution, money that is entitled to them because of their utter failings as parents. As we all know, financial compensation and the concomitant material satisfaction it brings is the most effective cure for the loss of a loved one.

Is this world just one big Coen brothers’ film? The comedy is pretty dark. Call me a pessimist, but I don’t believe things will change anytime soon. Schwartz was on the money when he commented on the value system of this country. Alcohol education in the United States is the pristine model of absurdity. “Stop underage drinking” is the motto. My God, why? Is there a more effective way of shooting yourself, or rather, your children, in the foot?

As I was so wisely taught, so shall I teach my children to drink responsibly, starting from their teenage years. Do you think I give a damn about this antediluvian, Puritan carryover we call a “drinking age?” I hope the first time my children drink, they will be underage, and that it will be with me.

The solution seems so simple: Exercise common sense, be accountable for your actions and instill some practical wisdom about alcohol in your children. Such principles would reduce both the frequency and severity of alcohol-related incidents at college campuses to a small fraction of their current number, not to mention the ramifications of these principles on a more global scale. Yet, the collective intelligence of 300 million people cannot arrive at such an obvious conclusion. That is awful.

Michael Choi

Weinberg ’00

NU liberals shown to be insecure, mindless savages

Students at this prestigious university need to realize their obligations to maturity, integrity and honesty.

I am utterly outraged by some of the attitudes and actions some students wish to convey on this campus regarding free speech. As a member of College Republicans, and after spending several hours freezing my hands off postering for upcoming events, including Pat Buchanan’s Tuesday speech, I was outraged to find my efforts ruined by unidentified people ripping up a job well done.

The best way to get word out about an event or meeting is by postering. Anyone who actually would organize to annihilate this means of free speech, expression and information represents a huge blow to all of us: students, faculty and alumni.

No matter what you think of politics, Buchanan presented a view less traveled by most of the mediocre Northwestern student body. We all have a right to publicize our events freely. I’m appalled that this is even such an issue at such an astute university. When did all liberals become insecure, mindless savages?

Russell Riggins

treasurer, College Republicans

McCormick sophomore

Anti-Buchanan protesters need lesson in free speech

The most ridiculous and embarrassing occurrence I have encountered at Northwestern took place Tuesday night.

As I walked up the hill to enter the Norris University Center, I stumbled upon approximately 40 people holding candles and singing “We Shall Overcome.” As I walked past the protesters with a bewildered and amused expression, I was stared at, so as, I suppose, to feel the shame of attending the Pat Buchanan speech.

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am an ardent, liberal Democrat, but this did not prevent me from wanting to hear what Buchanan had to say. I find it incredibly ironic that the “liberal” protesters did not see any hypocrisy in their action. Limiting free speech and opening your ears to only those who share your opinion is a value of the extreme political right. It’s called fascism.

Yet even more ludicrous than the thinking behind the protest was the choice of song. Exactly what are these students overcoming? Free speech? To use a song with such powerful political history degrades it. The suggested parallel between the causes of the brave civil rights protesters of the 1960s and sheltered college students in search of a cause is preposterous.

I await your indignant responses.

Ciara Mentzer

Weinberg junior