2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsOur View: Violence not the answer at polls
The Standard Editorial Board
Issue date: 1/15/08 Section: Opinion
A variety of political views is refreshing news in the time of the dominant two-party system. As our nation divides itself into two distinct color groups, a voice that's not necessarily red or blue is certainly welcomed.
What's not welcomed is violence.
We're pleased to hear that Ryan Culbertson-Faegre, the proactive student who's trying to make changes to a system he's unhappy with, has decided against arming himself and others.
Even if their intention was not to actually use the tools, it still opens the potential floodgates to participants who don't quite understand the point of the protest.
We've already heard phrases such as "I?just want to throw a brick through a window," and "Yeah, I'm down with violence."
While we're fairly certain Culbertson-Faegre's intentions are good, we also understand that protestors can soon turn into rioters.
And maybe a riot is something he's looking for - we can't be sure.
But even if it seems as though peaceful protest isn't working, we're inclined to think that more peace is a better response than violence.
We shouldn't be in Iraq. The death toll has already been staggeringly high.
But violence isn't going to change that any faster than peace is, so we might as well not add to the problem by putting people in danger at the polls.
We've got a chance for real change with the power of the vote.
This generation of young voters is certainly powerful enough to push a chosen leader to victory in the primaries and again in November.
While there could be some disagreement on who the perfect candidate would be, we've already seen the effect young voter turnout can have on an election.
It pushed Barack Obama to victory in Iowa, and it could take him all the way to the presidency with some more effort in the form of voting - without violence.
The frustration is understandable. It really does seem like one voice can't create a change in ideas or actions.
But there are a lot of young voices that have similar values and hopes for the future of our country.
If organized correctly, we can make a difference without bricks or rocks, but with ballots.
As this protest develops, maybe Culbertson-Faegre and those who join him will choose these peaceful means of change over that of violence.
With the question he poses in the column above, it's clear this is something he's putting a great deal of thought into.
We think when it gets down to it, he'll make the right choice and be one of the young leaders of peaceful change.
What's not welcomed is violence.
We're pleased to hear that Ryan Culbertson-Faegre, the proactive student who's trying to make changes to a system he's unhappy with, has decided against arming himself and others.
Even if their intention was not to actually use the tools, it still opens the potential floodgates to participants who don't quite understand the point of the protest.
We've already heard phrases such as "I?just want to throw a brick through a window," and "Yeah, I'm down with violence."
While we're fairly certain Culbertson-Faegre's intentions are good, we also understand that protestors can soon turn into rioters.
And maybe a riot is something he's looking for - we can't be sure.
But even if it seems as though peaceful protest isn't working, we're inclined to think that more peace is a better response than violence.
We shouldn't be in Iraq. The death toll has already been staggeringly high.
But violence isn't going to change that any faster than peace is, so we might as well not add to the problem by putting people in danger at the polls.
We've got a chance for real change with the power of the vote.
This generation of young voters is certainly powerful enough to push a chosen leader to victory in the primaries and again in November.
While there could be some disagreement on who the perfect candidate would be, we've already seen the effect young voter turnout can have on an election.
It pushed Barack Obama to victory in Iowa, and it could take him all the way to the presidency with some more effort in the form of voting - without violence.
The frustration is understandable. It really does seem like one voice can't create a change in ideas or actions.
But there are a lot of young voices that have similar values and hopes for the future of our country.
If organized correctly, we can make a difference without bricks or rocks, but with ballots.
As this protest develops, maybe Culbertson-Faegre and those who join him will choose these peaceful means of change over that of violence.
With the question he poses in the column above, it's clear this is something he's putting a great deal of thought into.
We think when it gets down to it, he'll make the right choice and be one of the young leaders of peaceful change.
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