No need for “democratization” of universities

Michael Stauch's Sept. 25 column "Democratize universities" was an insightful look into the mind of a highly educated intellectual with naive views and a liberal agenda.

His knowledge of the campaign that has been waged in Afghanistan over the past eight years is so one-sided that it appears to be confined to what he may have read about in Al-Jazeera and on Al Qaeda Web sites. He probably ought to talk with Brig. Gen. H.R. McMaster and glean some other points of view. McMaster is advocating an improved counterinsurgency strategy in the theater-hence the review and recommendation from Gen. Stanely McChrystal. Clearly, this subject is not something that can be left to "useful idiots" such as Stauch who are misguidedly "committed to opposing imperialism and supporting a vision of society organized from the bottom up along anti-racist and democratic lines." Perhaps Stauch was oblivious to the depredations of the radical Islamic fundamentalists under the Taliban who had their way in Afghanistan and who nurtured the attacks on our nation in 2001.

I, for one, appreciate the opportunity to examine the broad points of view being offered by the University. I am also appreciative of the service many of our professors have proffered to our nation. It is with enthusiasm and pride that I serve in our ROTC corps and I look forward to the opportunity to serve this great nation.

I recommend Stauch continue to focus his efforts on organizing overtime complaints and picketing the nearest plywood factory. I have confidence that these efforts will someday lead us to "a place where every person can incorporate the collective development of the world, in science and technology as well as art and literature and any other area, into themselves." Meanwhile, to extend a quote from George Orwell, we students can "sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to do violence on those who would do us harm."

Kase Diehl Trinity '11