Protest not true act of civil disobedience

Heicklen's mention of civil disobedience refers, we may presume, to Henry David Thoreau's Resistance to Civil Government. The professor's complaints? Government is "too powerful." We should not continue to endure its "tyrannical acts." Moreover, "It's immoral to arrest anyone for owning a vegetable."

Lawn chair in tow, Heicklen displayed his convictions once more, lighting up for freedom on Jan. 29. The Collegian reported that Heicklen chided authorities when they attempted to confiscate his cigarette in what he claimed was an "illegal seizure."

Heicklen's remarks at University Gates evince an innocence that nearly occludes the dangerous laissez-faire libertarianism he promotes: "I am not an advocate of marijuana. I am an advocate of freedom . . . People should be left alone to do what they want."

A history lesson: Thoreau condemned a government for what he thought was the use of federal tax revenue to fund a war against Mexico, a war anti-slavery proponents felt would extend the reach of slavery.

The image of Heicklen is one of blissful ignorance, a judgment confirmed by the protester's stated intent: to nullify all anti-drug laws. What kind of freedom is this? Heicklen's stunt pales against acts of authentic civil disobedience: Thoreau, John Brown, Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., the women and men in Tienamen Square. The foolishness of his position is supplanted only by its arrogance.

The professor, it seems, would be most happy to live in a monarchy, with, as Emerson said of Thoreau, one king and one subject. How sad.

Jeff Kurtz
graduate-speech communication

Government protests must be done legally

On top of that, I demand and expect the unconditional support of University President Graham Spanier, the University community and the State College Police Department. Does something sound wrong here?

First off, if myself, or any student, was to do any illegal drug as a form of protest, we would be immediately arrested, charged and prosecuted. But not the professor. His "joint" was taken away, and he was not arrested because the police could not determine that it was actually marijuana. Yeah, right.

The police claim it will take a month to determine if it is marijuana or not. Instead of wasting taxpayer money and time, just hand the "joint" to any college student and have them smoke it.

In a matter of minutes they'll tell you if it's pot or not. The law has been averted for this highly respected professor, but if it had been a student, they would currently be serving a nice sentence.

While we scream and cry about our freedom to do anything we wish, we have overlooked one important ideal on which the United States has developed: All men (and women, of course) are created equal.

That means we are all subject to the same penalties and punishments dictated by federal law. I invite any student, or youth for that matter, to smoke pot outside University Gates. Watch yourself get arrested.

Is this fair? I think not. Heicklen, if you want to protest the government, do so in a way that is legal, for then it will go from being a media and attention stunt to a real fight for freedom and liberty.

Martin Austermuhle
freshman-international business

Protesting professor poses wrong solution

The idea that professor emeritus Julian Heicklen has as he sits in front of University Gates is ridiculous. Sure, the prisons are overcrowded. But does that mean that need to make being a pothead or a crackhead the cool thing to be?

Drinking and driving is enough of a problem. Next, the police can issue tickets for DWH (Driving While High). Then, we can be amused in seeing people shooting up in lecture. Is this what we want to have our world become? Heicklen said that "competent adults are responsible to make their own decisions." That may be true, but the majority of the human population is incompetent.

Back in high school English, I read a story about a man who says that if he could have a little land, he would be content. So, the man gets his land, and suddenly wants more. That lesson exists in this situation, also. What's next, the fight for the legalization of prostitution? Why don't we go all out and legalize murder. That'll empty those prisons.

I recently talked to a professional in the field of drug rehab, and she said that "Most drugs are legal. The ones that get misused are the ones that are illegal. You should go to a drug rehab center and see what drugs really do to you."

Isn't it great that advertising alcohol in campus newspapers is illegal, yet ILLEGAL drugs are getting free advertising?

Brad Stratton
sophomore-communications