Pulitzer Prize-nominated author Michael Parenti spoke to about 300 people last night in Schwab Auditorium about human rights issues and global empire.

Parenti offered commentary and criticism of our government regarding administration, military action and spending, the media and imperialism.

"There's an enormous disparity between what empires do and how they're represented in history by their leaders," Parenti said. "Americans aren't taught to think of their country as an empire. Imperialism is the process of empire. That's what empires do. 'America didn't do that, I was taught.' "

Brendan McCall (senior-English and women's studies) said about 10 members of Penn State Amnesty International worked to get Parenti to speak.

"I think he's great. I've been reading him for years," McCall said. "It was phenomenal."

Parenti criticized the war in Iraq and the government's support of Saddam Hussein.

"We're going into Iraq to teach these 'culturally backwards' people, but Iraq had a revolution. They were setting up educational centers and hospitals. They were pulling themselves out of this system of global imperialism," Parenti said. "That's when the U.S. got involved and supported Saddam Hussein. During his bloodiest torture, he was Washington's poster boy. They couldn't give him enough aid."

He added that the United States' military budget has grown astronomically and that the troops should be pulled out of Iraq.

"If we pulled out of Iraq now, the very next day things would start to improve," he said.

Parenti also criticized the media.

"Their role is to legitimate this system," he said. "Their function is system legitimization and system maintenance."

Nate Bauer (senior-journalism) said he came because he is concerned with what the status of our culture as a whole has become.

"As a generation, we're so apathetic," he said. "We're not cognizant of people who are really trying to make a difference in the United States in this culture of consumerism. We lose sight of what's important, like democracy."

Steve Coraor (junior-religious studies) said he thought it was a well-organized speech.

"He's obviously a well-read and intelligent man," he said.

"He said we need to localize and organize to get the views out to people. I think that's the way any view should be addressed," Coraor added.

Katie Diamond (junior-English and journalism) said that she thinks people of all viewpoints should attend events like this.

"It's important to always hear both sides. I think it's a sign of intelligence," she said.

"[Those who didn't come] missed a chance to broaden their horizons educationally," Diamond added.