Dear Editor,
Democracy was in action
Thursday Feb. 13, 2003, at the
ETSU Amphitheatre as students,
faculty and concerned
citizens gathered, ostensibly to
promote peace on Earth.
The first statement made by
the Campus Green’s student
leader, Josh Gambrel, was that
anyone from the audience
should feel free to step up to
the stage and express their
views, which is the cornerstone
of democracy.
I made my way to the rear of
the stage to request my opportunity
to speak in support of
military operations against Iraq
and other unstable nations that
seek to stockpile weapons and
support terrorism. I spoke with
Gambrel, who then conferred
with Joe Corso of ETSU’s
political science department.
I was told that this was not a
debate.
The rally’s purpose was to
sow the seeds of peace.
I agreed with this explanation
for denying me the opportunity
to voice my own views to
those assembled, although I
still felt that this “peace rally”
was nothing more than an
opportunity to spew rhetoric
against the Bush Administration.
It wasn’t until the organizers
allowed a gentleman from the
audience, ETSU alumnus Mike
Garrett, to step up on stage and
tell those gathered that a shadow
government run by oil executives
has been planning the
domination of the world for the
last 10 years, that I realized
how deeply my right to free
speech had been impeded.
I was not there to root for
war or encourage bloodshed.
As a longtime Army veteran
I know what those in the service
of our nation are facing.
Rather, I wished to explain to
these well-intentioned but
uninformed people that peace,
when dealing with tyrants and
terrorists, can only be had
through strength.
Perhaps the most troubling
aspect of this experience is that
it occurred at a state institution,
directed by an organization that
is partially subsidized by taxpayer
money and supported by
advisors from the college.
Engagement in a debate
about this issue may further the
cause of peace.
However, I am afraid that
when the right to express one’s
views is denied by those
espousing that right, we are
beyond saving ourselves from
future threats of any kind.
Mark A. Peters

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