Conservatives leave 'closet' during rally

The Digital Collegian (Penn State) ^ | Friday, Nov. 21, 2003 | Bridget Smith

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

More than 100 students gathered on the steps of Old Main yesterday to announce their decision to come out of the "conservative closet."

A little after noon, Penn State College Republicans chair Brian Battaglia began "Conservative Coming Out Day" by encouraging the audience to register to vote as Republicans and to research each candidate.

"Let [your] voice be heard in the bell of truth," he said.

Sean Clark (senior-political science) focused on discrimination in the classroom. He talked about his English 15 (Rhetoric and Composition) class freshman year, and the fact that his teacher introduced herself to the class by saying, "Just so you know, I hate Republicans."

The students in his class who wrote from conservative viewpoints were consistently given lower grades than their liberal counterparts, he said.

Many of them feared the liberal bias, and were afraid of being labeled as "bigots," "racists," and "homophobic," he added.

He included in his speech statistics about the political makeup of faculty and administration on 32 college campuses.

As he spoke, a strong gust of wind knocked down the balloon archway positioned over the podium.

"Take it as a sign, my friend," someone in the crowd yelled.

Clark ignored the jeers and continued with his speech.

"How can universities claim to educate students when they only present one side of the story," he said.

He ended by encouraging students to speak out against administrators who try to shut down student-run events -- both conservative and non-conservative.

Despite some controversy surrounding the event fliers, the only protest came from passers-by and occasional hecklers in the crowd.

John Litz (sophomore-liberal arts), a member of Allies, said the group was told to show up at the rally as individuals and not to protest.

"I just wanted to see what they have to say," he said. "I support their right to free speech, but at the same time, I don't think they should be putting down other groups to get their views across."

Toby Eberhart, chairman of the Penn State Young Americans for Freedom and a resident assistant in Leete Hall, said he was sick of the "blatant discrimination" against conservatives.

He added his experience as an RA has shown him the "left-leaning" discrimination by residence life. He said he was unhappy about having to promote National Coming Out Day through fliers and Stall Stories, but could not publicize the conservative rally through the same means.

"I have learned that 'living and learning' requires learning of all liberal views," he said.

Tiffany Iriana, one of the rally's organizers, said she was especially happy with the way the event was promoted, because it spawned discussion between groups.

"I encourage any group, if they feel they are being ... marginalized, to do the exact same thing."

Matt Montemorano (junior-film) said he supported the conservatives' desire to rally, but said he did not agree with many of their political views. He added the rally had not swayed his opinions at all.

"My beliefs were probably strengthened," he said.

Josh Pontrelli and Collegian Staff Writer Jen Winberry contributed to this report

[yoe]

At DU the other day there were people actually COMPLAINING the $400 in annual car taxes was too low, that they were PROUD of paying over $800 in car tax a year.

Unbelievable, but true! In the dim recesses of their minds (?) they want the government, state and federal to have all the money so they can have entitlements cradle to grave...poverty is their goal? Go figure.

[leprechaun9]

The minds of mush are supported by a very large educational brain washing industry that starts with elementary school (now being extended to pre-K)!

[gatorbait]

"finally facing true diversity .."

Ever notice that the staffing of "Diversity posts," typically a VP slot is the least diverse population ever encountered? Caucasians need not apply.


Welcome to the Federal Aviation Administration.

[FreepOnTheBorderlands]

Funny, I don't remember much of anything from my liberal arts classes at PSU, except for the cute TA in spanish class. Most of the math, CS, and Engineering professors were either not flaming leftists, or smart enough to leave their politics out of the classroom.
I think I got there just after the great Jim Whitehead event. Boy, talk about pissing off the lefties.

ps. Everyone knows Gary, the Willard Preacher was much cooler than the other guys.

[ClintonBeGone]

When will their professors come out?

[Paulus Invictus]

I took some grad classes in marketing fom the heads of the PSU Business School. They seemed to be leading the class well until the last day when they mixed marketing theory with alcohol and they blew it all away with no logical end or recommendations for improving our marketing programs. They did apologize, but it was too late. All the money we spent for the courses was lost. In recompense, they did give us all PSU ties to wear. Sheesh!

[syriacus]

In the dim recesses of their minds (?) they want the government, state and federal to have all the money

They are Neo-Feudalists.

Under Feudalism, property and goods were placed in the hands of the ruling class who gave most of those items to their favorites (as long as the favorites behaved correctly).

The Feudal lord gaveth, and the Feudal lord tooketh away.

The Socialist/Progressive lord giveth to potential voters.

[Mercat]

My son works in a little funky music store in a college town so I wasn't surprised when I was sitting there waiting for a friend to meet me last Saturday and an old guy (my age), after sitting and picking guitar for a while, encountered an old friend of his and they started telling what they'd been up to for the past six years.... the guitar player said he and his wife had lived in Branson MO and had tried to start a B&B in 2000 but then "The Republicans came into power with Bush (obviously wasn't paying attention in 1994) and the economy tanked and the travel industry dried up and then of course, 9/11 happened." At that point my son came over to engage me in some trivial conversation because he knew from experience that in the next second, I would be over there pointing out the error of the customer's ways. There are so many idiots. The other day I was talking with a friend who is a yellow dog dem about various non-political matters, family stuff, horses, etc. and out of blue he says, "I can't figure you out. You're such a great person with such good values. How on earth can you be a Republican!"

sigh.

[wizardoz]

You know, I had a friend say the same thing, essentially. "You are one of the smartest people I know, how can you be a Republican?!"

We talked for about 4 hours and I had him argued into a corner several times, and he knew it, but he just kept falling back on the emotional appeal of "but how can it be right for some to be rich and some to be poor?" And that's all it boils down to for him. Reality offends his aesthetic sensibilities, therefore reality must be changed to suit him.

[wizardoz]

I just thought to myself that the Left is finally facing true diversity and pluralism for the first time, and doesn't like what it sees or hears.

You ought to point that out to them. Oh I know, after a nonplussed moment or two they'll start arguing again, but.... that split second is just so good.

[Ohioan]

As a onetime Conservative student on an overwhelmingly Leftist campus (Oberlin), I do everything I can to encourage student Conservatives to fight back. One of my major projects in recent years, has been to construct a Conservative Debate Handbook, which is freely available to College students--or anyone else, for that matter--which offers the type of arguments for which the Left really has no effective answer.

William Flax

[dr_who_2]

At college, the gay student organization held a "Bluejeans Day" where everybuddy would wear bluejeans to show their support for gays and lesbians. Some friends of mine decided to put up posters for a "Shoe Day" for people to show their support for conservatism. Ah, those were the days.

[Theodore R.]

I think that liberal professors are willing to pay high taxes because they think that they would not even have their jobs in the first place were there not liberal programs. Also many agree with the late Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., of MA, who said that taxes are the "price we pay for civilization." Some just cannot be convinced.

[maica]

Conservatives need to use the same tactics that the Left uses. You don't see the Left hiding its collective head in shame when they are 'labeled'. At this point the Left just turns up the rhetoric and become even more, 'in your face'. We have to fight fire with fire! I know that sounds trite, however it also happens to be true.

888888

Until recently conservatives thought it was necessary to keep quiet in the workplace, etc in the interests of manners and decorum. Those of the left, including the old media, have used this reticence to co-opt language and shape "accepted" wisdom.

Now that we realize that we have to speak up, I would like to offer a phrase that neatly rebuts the 'racist-bigot-homophobe' charge.

Meanspirited-arrogant-condescending- liberal!

It just trips off the tongue and the look of shock and surprise on the receiving end is priceless.

[Frank_2001]

So that English teacher hates Republicans? Imagine how she'll feel after next November's 50-state Republican landslide!!!:)
BTW Isn't she in violation of campus hate speech codes for her display of gross intolerance???;)

[ducks1944]

I have a sister-in-law who lives a conservative life and is the biggest democrat I've every known. She would vote for anyone that ran as a Democrat. Do not understand her a all. But she lives in Ct. and we live in South. I don't know what it is about those on east coast but they all (most) are Democrats. I was raised in North and have been conservative all my live (INDIANA). I read the other day lots of college kids was seeing the light. Was glad to read it. So maybe those liberal ways at most college are not doing as well as they think. And thank GOD for that.

[StopGlobalWhining]

Most of the math, CS, and Engineering professors were either not flaming leftists, or smart enough to leave their politics out of the classroom.

That's PSU. The faculty of the Colleges of Engineering, Business, Science, and Earth and Mineral Science are primarily interested in the subjects they teach.

In contrast, in the Colleges of Education, Health and Human Services, Liberal Arts and other soft subjects, the faculty are overwhelmingly liberal, and much more interested in ideological indoctrination than in academic education.

[buffyt]

I guess I have no heart, I registered at 21 to vote Republican and voted for Nixon.

I guess I have a brain now, though. That is good.

[Hobsonphile]

Leftism on Campus ping!

If you would like to be added to the Leftism on Campus ping list, please
notify me via FReep-mail.

Warning: During the school year in particular, this can be a high volume ping list.

Regards...

[xsmommy]

whyisa, more good news from college : )