I am in fact a college student, eighteen years of age. You can feel free to doubt that, because I have no way of proving it. I signed up 5 months ago, and I've a lurker since I was about 12 years old (homeschooled of course. My father was in the military, and discipline was enforced.) Again, I have no way of proving these facts, so you'll have to take my word for it. Or not. Your call.
As I said, I don't think people should take calls in class. But getting up and leaving, if I so choose, is nobodies business but my own. Obviously, you have to consider the situation. If you're in a 20 person class in a 40 ft by 40 ft room, getting up and leaving is inappropriate because you can't move without coming in contact with others. On the other hand, if you are in a 300+ person lecture hall (I was last semester and am this semester) getting up is not going to disturb anyone. If an individual in such a scenario feels "disrupted" by seeing people moving about, then that individual needs to get oer himself. Your example of a movie theater or Church is specious; a college lecture hall is neither.
My main gripe with this guy is the superior tone of his letters. I am a responsible adult capable of voting (I do), owning a firearm (I do), and joining the military (I plan on it), and no stuck-up, ivory-tower dwelling, academic windbag is going, for one blessed second, going to think he is a better person than I am.
Many, many college professors are a**holes. If you haven't come in recent contact with one, I suggest you attempt to. Try discussing the military, or Governor Palin's recent speech. Go ahead and see what happens.
Actually, I’m smiling. I ripped you a new one and your response was pretty well written.
You made me think of myself your age - gloriously arrogant, brimming with ideals, sure-footed in dangerous terrain, callow beyond my knowing. At that’s normal, really, especially for people blessed with intelligence. That’s different from wisdom. But I liked your answer.
However, I need to point something out that’s hard for a young person to really appreciate. Mike Adams thinks he’s better than you because he has accomplished more, learned more, and experienced more than you. He’s fought his way to the top of that ivory tower. He appears to be looking down on you because that’s his vantage point. And you, God bless you, are expressing the frustration of youth looking up at the old guy standing in your way. It is the way of life. I experienced those feelings, too. We all do.
And since you’re going into the military soon, let me just smile at the notion that a stuck-up windbag is better than you. You’re about to meet that windbag in boot camp, and throughout your career. And you’ll remain where you are until you are dismissed.
Someday you’ll be up there with Mike Adams. Your second post confirms that. And you’ll probably be a hard ass, too. So thanks for softening my heart and changing my mind. Good post.
In any case, be well and have a good life.