An article appeared in The Daily Collegian Monday in which a new organization called Students for Real Democracy claimed, among other things, that Arthur Goldschmidt, professor of Middle Eastern history, was some how tied to the cloak and dagger world of international espionage.

As a student and friend of Mr. Goldschmidt, I was incensed that this group would make such slanderous claims. I have worked with him for a number of years and can honestly say he does more to further the causes that SRD seems to support than they themselves could ever hope to achieve. One has to wonder if this article was nothing more than a publicity stunt.

The personal attack against Mr. Goldschmidt is not our most pressing concern, because it is obvious -- especially to anyone who knows him -- that SRD simply has no idea what they're talking about. By making such unfounded assertions, they've murdered any chance their group will ever have a razor-thin shred of credibility.

After speaking to SRD members on the telephone, I've come to the conclusion that this group has its heart in the right place. SRD states it works against "racism and facism," and I agree in principle with many of the other concerns raised in their news conference.

SRD seems to forget that to mount an attack you must first know your enemy. The enemies SRD wishes to confront are pervasive societal problems, such as institutional racism. I encourage and applaud all attempts to combat these problems.

But these targets are unfortunately not very clear. So SRD tried to simplify enormously complex social issues by branding three University professors as representatives of oppressive forces. SRD supports social change -- an admirable goal. But they look for the easy way to go about it, which is weak.

I agree with SRD that social changes are necessary. By making unfounded, claims, SRD hurts the causes for which they fight more than they could ever help. By association, SRD injures the credibility of all people and groups who, in actuality, agree with them in principle.

So, SRD, if you can back your claims at all, call me. If not, kindly keep your mouths shut until you have something worthwhile to say