This is in response to Michael Drake's letter regarding the liberal stance on free speech ("Response to petitioners shows liberals' biases," Nov.6). I was dismayed to find yet another letter attempting to brand all liberals as biased hypocrites. Drake cited the example of a student yelling at a group protesting the Lawrence vs. Texas Supreme Court decision on sodomy law to get off the street, insisting that "free speech only exists for intelligent people." As a believer in free speech, I agree that this was a ridiculous comment and this group had every right to be here, regardless of my feelings about their views. However, Drake only heard this in passing and has no way of knowing whether this student was a liberal or a conservative supporter of gay rights. He also does not know if every liberal on campus would agree with the student's comment about free speech; I'd say that most of them wouldn't.

It seems as though the students writing these letters are far more eager to paint a negative picture of the opposing side than to actually argue their own stance. I respectfully ask that we all try to stop making snap judgments and forcing vague generalizations on those with opinions different from our own.