LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to Shannon Black’s column, “Coulter’s critics should… Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to Shannon Black’s column, “Coulter’s critics should refrain from heckling, ask serious questions,” as the Vice President of the College Republicans and one of the main people responsible for bringing Coulter to the University. While Black’s column made a good point in telling anti-Coulter students not to boo and heckle her but rather ask reasonable questions, her criticism of the College Republicans was completely unfair and closed-minded.

Yes, the student activity fees partially funded Coulter’s visit to campus, but the reality is that we have a diverse student body with varying interests and ideas. SGB’s Allocations Committee painstakingly deliberates on how to support the endeavors of all Pitt students. I assure you that political groups, especially the College Republicans, seldom receive financial support from our student activities fee.

It is also unfair to allege that Coulter is a “spokesperson” for our organization. While some members of our group agree with her positions, we do not support everything she has said in her career. When the College Democrats brought in the Reverend Jesse Jackson to speak, were they accused of supporting and condoning an adulterer? No.

On a campus that is politically apathetic at best, your fellow students in the College Republicans have been working extremely hard to present an event with a nationally recognized speaker. Earlier this year, Sen. Arlen Specter spoke at Pitt to a room of maybe 50 students. There was a similar turnout when our organization brought in former governor and Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge. We are simply trying to engage the student body and present a viewpoint that is often not expressed. We see bringing the controversial Coulter to campus as a way to further achieve that goal.

Additionally, I am extremely disappointed in the campus-wide response our organization has received for this event. Black implied that she now views the College Republicans as “hate-spewing crazies” for bringing Coulter to campus. That is quite a bold term to use for someone who is also condemning Ann Coulter for her radical comments and language toward Sen. Edwards.

The liberals on this campus have reacted to this event like children stomping their feet when they don’t get their way. Name calling, profanity and an “I’m not going at all” attitude are what we have experienced. When Michael Moore and John Kerry spoke at Carnegie Mellon a few years ago, our group staged peaceful protests by standing across the street. In contrast, planning Facebook groups to heckle Coulter or littering the event’s Facebook wall with profanity is resorting to the same behavior that liberals claim is the reason they disapprove of Coulter.

Lauren Dumm and Natalie Hauser Co-Vice Presidents, University of Pittsburgh College Republicans