There are many things I believe very strongly about, and for my four years here at PSU I have been reluctant to participate in rallies, protests and demonstrations because they seemed ineffective.

But when I heard about the candlelight vigil (Jan. 23) on the steps of Old Main, I had hope that we might actually accomplish something. I was wrong.

As I stood in the cold, I was chilled, not by the wind, but by the attitudes of people around me. Labels were flying. Anti-war protestors demanded they were pro-peace, as if those that were in support of the president, and Congress, were against peace. How long will it be before we will realize that we all want peace?

It would be nice to think that all our problems could be solved over a conference table. But the fact is that human beings are complicated creatures, and we are not inherently good. We don't desire compromise. We desire to be right.

If we want to solve the gulf crisis, or any crisis, by peaceful solutions, shouldn't that start here -- on the steps of Old Main, in our classes? If we cannot talk civilly with fellow Americans who are on our side, how can we believe there is hope with those whose goals are different?

For those who yell, "Hell no, we won't go..." we are not asking you to go. If you want to make a difference in the world, start by making a difference here.