Somewhere along the road of political history, it became acceptable for Democrats to explain their affiliation with the simplistic answer that they want to "help people." It in turn implied that Republicans want to hurt people. The respective descriptions of the two parties are of course silly and disingenuous, especially because Ted Kennedy remains a revered member of the Democratic Party. I am positive that drowning innocent women in rivers doesn’t exactly fit well with the whole wanting-to-help-people thing.
In all seriousness, it seems that Democrats are allowed to get away with self-righteous generalities like wanting to help people. Republicans, on the other hand, have to wait until people are of income tax–paying age to get a shred of sympathy.
Two months ago at Calapalooza, one young freshman would only take a copy of the Patriot if we answered the question, Why is patriotism only a conservative thing? And I thought we were the ones questioning the patriotism of others. I could only hope that he also asked the Democrats why they claim (erroneously) that helping minorities and "the little guy" were their things. But rather than trying to reveal his double standard, I answered his question.
A patriot, I told him, is unconditionally dedicated to the virtues and ideals of his country. That means we don’t hide our nationality when it becomes unpopular, unlike liberals, who permit politics to determine their devotion to this country. After all, how many liberal Democrats threatened to run to Canada if Bush was elected? Do you think College Republicans would declare that they are "Embarrassed by America" in a Facebook group if the country decided to elect Hillary Clinton president? Neither would we wave the American flag upside down nor burn it to express our discontent with presidents we dislike.
Patriotism means showing respect for one’s country, irrespective of the contemporary political climate. The bottom line is that it does not matter to a conservative who holds the reins of the U.S. government; America will remain to us a great country.
Now if liberals are allowed to be the self-appointed guardians of minorities and the little guy, it seems only fair to allow conservatives the exclusive claim to patriotism. Likewise, just as others on this campus have the right to ask why patriotism is a conservative thing, we have every right to pick apart liberal claims of altruism and generosity.
We can start with that word "diversity." Here at Cal, Chancellor Robert Birgeneau has been cementing his legacy with visions of a multicultural and multicolored utopia, claiming that diversity will be the panacea for all of UC Berkeley’s nonexistent ills. And the student body is drinking the Kool-Aid. Birgeneau’s recent decision to assign a supreme hall monitor to protect the minority students was once again justified with his diversity buzz word, but will this fancy new position make Cal students get along with their conservative classmates and stop hating whitey? It could, but the chancellor doesn’t seem to prioritize ideological diversity as much as ethnic diversity. On Page 16, the Patriot looks at what the new vice chancellor of equity and inclusion will really mean for Cal, and why Birgeneau can’t just scream "diversity" to accomplish what he wants. On Page 17, Rohit Joy explains how Birgeneau’s diversity czar will do more than just underhandedly violate Proposition 209.
Who ever thought helping racial minorities meant inflating the pockets and egos of do-nothing bureaucrats? It seems that the only way liberals know how to show some love is to form a committee. Bureaucracy hurts more than it helps; on Page 11, Jessica Mintz and Deaglan Halligan shed some light on this great roadblock to progress.
On Page 13, Alex Marlow does the unthinkable and challenges the public education system. When a teachers’ union breaks out the old "It’s for the children" tagline to defend its salary increases, it probably means it doesn’t deserve it. If it truly was for the children, unions would loosen their iron grip on the education system and give students and parents some choice. But who could argue with something that is "for the children"?
Oftentimes, liberals get so caught up in their compassion that it turns ugly. When hasn’t a peace rally turned into a Bush bash? For some reason, peaceniks have a strong attraction to tear gas and riot police. BAMN, our favorite pro–affirmative action group, can’t help but intimidate and bully Michigan voters in the name of civil rights. On Page 22, Greg Ge uncovers BAMN’s unethical campaign to subvert the democratic process for the sake of diversity.
If dissent is patriotic, consider this magazine the most patriotic thing in the liberal world of Berkeley. We won’t hesitate to question their shrines to diversity, public education, peace, and other untouchable ideals. After all, the Patriot just wants to help people too.
Your Compatriot,
Andrew R. Quinio
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