In response to R.H. Aly’s column, entitled “Racism sells at Cheney speech,” I would like to say that her comments are inappropriate and off-base. It is reasonable to assume that Cheney supports these slogans, stickers, and their message if the podium at which he were speaking were adorned with them, or possibly if his own vehicle were decorated in this insignia.
However, it is quite a stretch to assume that Cheney holds beliefs with those who sell this insignia in his presence.
It is a person’s duty as an observer to think critically about a situation and determine reasonably what message is being presented. I believe any American should be ashamed to make the assumption that Cheney supports these messages merely by giving a speech in their presence.
He has neither the responsibility to make decisions about the locations of his speeches based on the asinine inferences of his viewing public. Nor does he have the responsibility to make surroundings (out of his control) politically correct or in accordance with his own beliefs and platform. Aly needs to focus more on the substance and content of Cheney’s speech and less on the location.
Jason Karns freshman in computer science & engineering
