Matt Bulger does not understand why the undergraduate senators opposed a bill to defy the ROTC program at AU, and the answer is quite simple: Bulger's voice is heard because former ROTC cadets defend it. Moreover, we should be reminded that part of the sacrifice that the Army and Air Force cadets give while being students at AU includes their obligation to refrain from expressing their opinion in uniform, while allowing other students to freely speak.
Being AU, it should be apparent that we support U.S. forces. It's bad enough that not every flag is lit at night, but to remove privileges that ROTC cadets deserve is highly un-American. The cadets have gone too many years without meeting spaces, AUTO vans and minimum publicity at AU. They have abided by the Career Center's policy of "one recruiting visit per year" and no mention of ROTC is made on the AU Web site. If Bulger wishes to comprehend further, I would suggest he thank men and women like Lt. Ryan Rooks, a 2005 AU graduate who flies for the D.C. National Guard, or Jonny McGuire, a 2007 AU graduate who is deployed in Iraq. What about Stephanie Burns, a 2007 AU graduate who flies medical missions in Afghanistan?
Surely we cannot forgo the mission to save lives for the dissent of a few. On the battlefield, there is no straight or gay, nor is there the presence or absence of amendments. It's only a matter of life or death, and I am glad that the undergraduate senate prefers our alumni to have the privilege of saving more lives and defending the voices of free speech at AU.
Jacob Choi Senior, College of Arts and Sciences
