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Show The Real Reason? Someone has wisely noted that people usually have two reasons for doing something: a good reason and the real reason. The demonstrations against the War have left a wake of confusion con-fusion and division in which many are wondering "Why?" Imperialism, Im-perialism, dying Americans, napalmed children, etc. are given as the "good" reasons, and understandably so they make good press. But are they the real reasons? Are they actually the driving force behind the dissent which made itself so visible Saturday? The march on the Pentagon was arranged with the precision, preci-sion, organization, and professionalism of a military maneuver, and it was carefully coordinated to concide with similar demonstrations demon-strations abroad. This "massive student protest" can hardly be said to have been a spontaneous groundswell of national opinion. We find it hard to believe that the high-flying hippie thought much about imperialism as he crossed Memorial Bridge. We wonder whether the guy wearing iron crosses and an old Wehr-macht Wehr-macht helmet really gave two hoots about the Marines at Con Thien. And we noted with interest the expertise in foreign affairs af-fairs that comes from being a pediatrician. Finally, we wondered whether those who genuinely and conscientiously oppose the War aren't becoming a little worried about the company they keep. Of those who marched on Saturday in Washington, we seriously doubt that the majority were legitimate students, and as students, we're concerned about those who would grind their axes at our expense. The march itself was organized by one Robert Bellinger of New York non-student, middle-aged, and an avowed Communist. The money behind the event didn't come from Dellinger's personal pocket, and it's unlikely that it came from those of the marchers who obviously couldn't even afford soap. We're not so naive as to think that most of the marchers were Communists, but at the same time, we're not dumb enough to think that the comrades weren't represented. We find this means of expression ludicrous on both sides. The Pentagon is not the place to repudiate LB J; the ballot bax is. On the other hand, patriotism is more than a tri-cornered hat and a band playing The Stars and Stripes Forever. As the air clears, the problems of Vietnam remain unsolved. The dissent in Washington is perhaps more clearly mirrored mir-rored by the events in Salt Lake City and we noted that the University's vocal half per cent made itself heard again last Friday as eight students were arrested at a sit-in downtown. It made the Pentagon show seem a little anti-climactic. We would have been more impressed if this group of University students had organized a registration and get-out-the-vote drive in the Central City area. About all they did was get their pictures in the paper, and for this we congratulate them; however, if the Great Pumpkin makes his appearance this Halloween, we question ques-tion whether it will be from their particular pumpkin patch. |