In response to Cole Milliard's letter to the editor, the first thing I want to say is this. The attacks on Sept. 11, the senseless death in Iraq, and perhaps, the Holocaust are more deplorable, reprehensible and "as far from the traditions of this University," then the removal of crosses from South Quad. Cole, they were little white symbols ... calm down and think about what you are saying. And Dave Daley, are you really comparing the removal of little white crosses from South Quad to scaling the Dome and tearing down Mary? Do you think that might be a bit of an overstatement?
"Regardless of how you feel about abortion, every single man and woman on this campus should condemn this act," Milliard writes. Milliard is not living in reality. As far as I am concerned, one display of the freedom of speech deserves another. Both Daley and Milliard said that the act of tearing down the crosses was a suppression of free speech. Wrong. If the University had stopped this protest - as they have done with almost every pro-homosexual event and was suggested in these very columns last week - that would have been your first amendment rights being stepped on. Another student removing the signs is another act of free speech. By creating such a presentation, there must be an understanding that others may decide to "speak" out against it. But then again, your first amendment rights probably supersede theirs.
To diverge, take this example: a 16-year-old girl is raped by her father. Her sexual organs are so damaged, and so much blood is lost that it is determined that she cannot sustain her own life if she attempts to keep her unborn child alive. She decides to have the abortion, and then years later she arrives at Notre Dame with her family for the Notre Dame vs. Stanford game where she is met with your graveyard. What is she supposed to think? It should be me in the graveyard instead of my unborn child?
Just remember in your rhetoric that this is unfortunately not as black and white as some may have you think. Sometimes being delicate with a delicate issue will lead your opponents to do the same. Should some presume to condemn others, they should expect condemnation in return. While I did not commit this act, I do not and will not condemn those responsible.
Charlie Ebersol
senior
off-campus
Oct. 11
