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

[Tallguy]

Just wait till these campus libs graduate & get a look at the deductions on their pay stub. That's a lesson in practical politics that they'll not soon forget.

[Independentamerican]

Not even till then. I have a paid internship in a credit dept and I cannot figure out how $1460 = $1228 every 2 weeks ?? $400 a month ..what a rip !

[Boston Capitalist]

The worst campus libs are professors and many of those do quite well financially, pay a lot of taxes and still go on preaching leftism. The benefit of a 3% raise (i.e., the Bush tax cuts) must be weighed against the price of losing their religion.

[Cobra64]

Just wait till these campus libs graduate & get a look at the deductions on their pay stub.

Problem is... most do NOT look at the confiscations on their pay stubs. Nor do they look at their phone bills. The magical $39.95 teaser rate is a joke. Add up all the other fed, state, and local taxes, you're up about 50% higher. This is what the libs count on. Screwing their voters... then they vote themselves and 8$ pay raise. The list never ends. Next stop... Internet tax.

[nickcarraway]

ping

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Those liberal professors who shut down free speech now were singing a different tune in the 60s and 70s.

[I still care]

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.

All I could do is shake my head. But they want everyone to live like that, so people better be wary enough to keep the demos out unless they want to be taxed out of any decent living.

[wizardoz]

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."

This is where I'm just so grateful to be older, a veteran, and damn hard to scare. I'd have stood up in class immediately and said, "Just so you know, I'm Vice President of the College Republicans and if you discriminate against me in any way, I will see to it that it costs you your job." And then sat quietly back down and smiled politely.

[smokinleroy]

While attending a family church camp between semesters at PSU some 20 years ago, a seasoned citizen noticed my Penn State T-shirt. He pointed and said "That place is a seedbed for communism". I just thought "What a senile old man". Now that I'm politically aware, I realize just how correct this fellow was.

[AmericaUnited]

Churchill's oldie but goodie...

"If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart. If you don't become a conservative by 40, you have no brain."

[nuffsenuff]

I went Penn State... It isn't that bad there.

Bush41 visited the campus when I was there and there was huge support for him... The conservatives outnumbered the looney liberals by a considerable margin.

[b9]

Churchill's oldie but goodie...
"If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart. If you don't become a conservative by 40, you have no brain."

Our daughter, age 20 next month, despises liberals, and can tell you exactly why.
'Don't know where she gets that from ;o)

[Tribune7]

The worst campus libs are professors and many of those do quite well financially, pay a lot of taxes and still go on preaching leftism.

High taxes are a net gain for these guys. That's what pays their salaries -- grants, loans, govenment subsidies or just being on the state payroll

[smokinleroy]

I don't recall much about politics from my time there. I was too busy studying, doing lab reports, and playing my guitar. I recall the altercations between the punk rockers and Bro. Cope (street evangelist who called passing coeds "whores" for wearing sexy clothing). Bubba was there a few years back. They showed him on TV checking out the creamery. I hope they disinfected the place after. I wonder what kind of welcome he got!

[nuffsenuff]

I remember that guy... the preacher who used to stand out down from Pattee Library.

What a loon!

[YankeeReb]

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.

You'll always see dumb comments like that at every hard core leftist site. They actually think we aren't taxed enough. Next time you see that (assuming they even allow dissenting posts) ask them how many of them volunteraly sent in EXTRA $$money$$ to the government. The silence will be deafening.

[irv]

"Just so you know, I'm Vice President of the College Republicans and if you discriminate against me in any way, I will see to it that it costs you your job."

Unfortunately, once they've got tenure, they have no need to fear such threats.

Tenure, at any level of education, is a deadly enemy of thought or competence.

[wizardoz]

Yeah, true... once they have tenure all you can do is try your damndest to make their blood-pressure sky-rocket. This isn't hard though. Liberals are so controlling, any resistence makes them flip out immediately.

[GiveEmDubya]

""If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart. If you don't become a conservative by 40, you have no brain.""

Then I guess by this time a few years from now, I'll be officially heartless!

Besides, I'd take the brain any day of the week.