In response to the article ("College Democrats Plan to Protest Inaugural Activity," Jan. 14), I would like to address both the College Democrats and College Republicans. While I do not believe in wasting the freedom of speech, I would like to argue that the people that will be making a trip to Washington to protest the inauguration should focus their time and efforts on other activities. What would these other activities be?

For starters, they could spend their time trying to educate other students or members of the community as to the policies of the Bush administration and then use that information to contact Senators in order to influence the workings of our government. Lets face it, Bush will be inaugurated even if protests occur. Alternatively, people could choose to help organize aid to the countries devastated by AIDS, hunger in Africa, the tsunami, and, let us not forget, the victims of our own social problems.

I do applaud those who still choose to go and protest this event because they are exercising their rights, as opposed to hiding from them. To the College Republicans: Since when did Mr. Bush become "Le Roi Soleil"? President Bush should tread lightly because he is no Louis XIV; in other words he does not have the right to have a doctrine. Especially since he is a servant of the people of the United States of America. Unfortunately, the country is mostly divided on what our policies should be.

It is Bush's job to lead this country to express a single opinion as one voice, and thus influence the rest of the world. I just want people to think for themselves instead of being led by a blind, faithless mandate.