Thursday, February 15th 2007
Activist Thursday
Today, Sproul Plaza was abuzz with young people expressing themselves! The World Can’t Wait folks were out, Sproul steps had a microphone with the usual message being broadcast, and the Dems had a “dramatic reading” of the Patriot. While I do not have photos (Chris? James?) the protest was uncharacteristically small. Perhaps they were all in the city, where the action is. Channel 5 (I believe) was out, interviewing the activists.
The dramatic reading of the Patriot was held by the Cal Dems, and had a substantial participation from some of our friends from SJP. They read some articles from our most recent issue in “hillbilly” voices, accompanied by similar music. Most of the conduct was de rigueur for Cal, although I was asked how it felt to be a “laughingstock”. For most of us tablers and actives in the conservative organizations on campus, being in the spotlight–or crosshairs–isn’t new, although I don’t expect our counterparts to know that. As a friend of mine said, “they are taking us more seriously than we are taking ourselves”.
And that is my commentary on the events of today. If anyone who was there for longer than I was could comment further, that would be excellent! Oh, and for some upcoming conservative activism, the Berkeley CR’s are hosting speaker Nonie Darwish on the 22nd, next Thursday in 2040 VLSB at 7pm. She’s the author of Now They Call me Infidel, a member of the group Arabs for Israel, and daughter of Lt General Mustafa Havez. As always, members of the opposition are welcome to attend.
“As a friend of mine said, ‘they are taking us more seriously than we are taking ourselves.’”
That’s really sad. I’m sure your donors would love to hear that the CalPatriot crowd doesn’t actually take the magazine seriously.
“The dramatic reading of the Patriot was held by the Cal Dems…”
Nope, Cal Dems had nothing to do with it. It was an idea by a couple individuals unaffiliated with any of the paltry political groups.
Comment by Yaman — 2/16/2007 @ 11:17 pm
“That’s really sad. I’m sure your donors would love to hear that the CalPatriot crowd doesn’t actually take the magazine seriously.”
its called a sense of humor. not everything has to be taken *that* seriously. you are allowed to laugh at things you love once in a while, including yourself and your ideas, without offending your donors or compromising your love for your ideas.
Comment by anonymous — 2/19/2007 @ 8:49 pm
My point in bringing that up was not that we don’t take it seriously. It’s just that most of us know how to temper our activism with the rest of our activities. I’m not accusing you of being one-dimensional Yaman, however, some people do get awfully caught up in what they are supporting to the detriment of other things. See LaRouche, etc.
Comment by megans — 2/20/2007 @ 6:51 pm
As a member of Cal Dems, I have to say I’m quite offended that you would think WE caused that disturbance on Sproul. I don’t know a single Cal Dem who has ever taken part in a protest. We’re more polite than that, we file FORMAL COMPLAINTS. Let’s not mock this country by soiling its streets with communist hippie pothead activists.
Comment by CalDem — 2/21/2007 @ 2:47 pm
Go communist hippie pothead activists!!
Comment by Karl Marx — 2/21/2007 @ 5:48 pm