Extremists and the men who hate them

Ever felt the need to just punch someone? Well I certainly have, especially with this week's topic: radical idiots in organizations that ruin the cause for the rest of us. Yes, this is the result of being cranky and tired of midterms. Just be glad there's no issue during finals' week or you might see "The Top Ten Reasons We Should Destroy the World."

What do I mean by radicals? First off, I'm not talking about people with far out ideas; I'm referring to the absolute bozos that are so far out there that they perform some of the dumbest actions known to mankind. As an example, the "Earth Libertarian Front" two Fridays ago set fire to a car dealership in Eugene, Oregon. So what did they offer as a reason for the arson? I quote; "We can no longer allow the rich to parade around in their armored existence leaving a wasteland behind in their tracks. SUVs destroy the earth, while the prison system tries to destroy those who see beyond this empty life."

Now, it's idiots like this that give those in the environmental movement a bad name! They see people in disagreement with them and suddenly feel the need to lash out on everyone for that difference. Attacking innocents to try to "make a point" is in no way going to help get the point across. It's only going to expose these morons for what they are and hurt those who try to get the point across with more civilized and intellectual means.

Worse yet, they hide behind the illusion of being some "wonderful force of freedom fighters" to justify their actions. In reality, they're nothing more than a pack of common criminals. Those in power often ignore many civilized groups because the environmental movement has been made to look like a bunch of raving, militant, lunatics who will lash out at anyone who doesn't agree with their worldview. In the end, this is counter-productive and merely kills the opportunity for the rest of us to see real reforms take place.

Here's another one: Ingrid Newkirk, the head of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), has made it known that she hopes America is infected by the foot-and-mouth epidemic that has plagued Europe. "I openly hope foot-and-mouth disease comes to America. It will bring economic harm only for those who profit from giving people heart attacks and giving animals a concentration-camp-like existence. It would be good for animals, good for human health and good for the environment."

Once again, we have another nutcase who's so lost in her cause that she wishes harm to everyone who disagrees with her worldview. So filled with venom, radicals like this make their entire movement look like a bunch of buffoons. They take pleasure in the suffering of others just because few care to listen to their ranting and raving. They end up putting a major blemish on the entire animal rights movement.

People like the ones mentioned here are the types that wish to enforce their views on a public that isn't interested in them. Much like the Parents Television Council (PTC), extremist groups like these take great pleasure in attempting to enforce their personal opinions on everyone because "they know what's good for us." They see everyone as herds of ignorant sheep that must be held at gunpoint and told what to think. In truth, they're nothing but something out of an Orwellian nightmare: modern day Big Brother wannabes.

To these people I have but one thing to say: grow up. You're acting like a bunch of spoiled children who cry and whine when their parents tell them they're not going to buy them something. The rest of us learned long ago to deal with people disagreeing with our views; it's about time you did too. Extremists like this hide behind mantras and causes to try to disguise their true selves and it's just plain shameful.

Since I've got some extra space this week, I thought I'd take the opportunity to put a little blurb about the Campus Center. After a few weeks of the new facility being open, I've come to see both the pros and cons it has brought. Of course, as we all know, there's the biggest gain of them all: the ice cream machine. That lovely marvel of technology is, without a doubt, the greatest addition to this campus in years, and everyone involved in the purchase should be commended. Congrats must also go out to those who picked the pool tables.

Unfortunately, though, not everything is sunshine and rainbows in WPI-land. Wednesday evening I placed a call to Gompei's as I always do during test weeks so I could get a pizza for tonight's study session. I was rather surprised that the person on the phone was acting like I was downright insane. When I arrived to pick up my order and told the worker my name, she stared at me as if I had just grown eight heads. In a rather interrogating tone, she asked me, "Where did you get that number?" as if it was the greatest secret known to mankind. Given my new knowledge that it apparently is, I simply told her, "From a friend." That's when this person told me never to call the number again as they no longer take orders over the phone.

Now, maybe it's me, but I fail to see how the fact that our one pizza place on campus now no longer taking orders over the phone is an "upgrade" to the campus. Maybe it's just me, but this kind of removes the main purpose of having it there. Oh well, I guess Dominos will be getting more money next year.