Yesterday on my campus, the Marines came a-recruitin', as they do because federal money allows them to. I suppose I don't get to object, because I go to a public university, and I'm not opposed to people voluntarily joining the military.

My campus's anti-war groups got together and began marching and protesting directly in front of the recruiter's table. It was certainly an effective move, no one wanted to be there long with this weirdo old guy screaming at them through a bullhorn. Not that I think the guy was a weirdo, he's quite nice, I've spoken with him once or twice.

I was conflicted. For all that I oppose this war (and most wars), I don't oppose national security. And for all that I don't oppose national security, I don't like the idea of the Marines being there to recruit because my campus would lose federal funding otherwise.

But most of all I am opposed to the propaganda both sides used. So I couldn't in good conscience pick up a sign and start protesting against the recruiters, and I couldn't in good conscience support the recruiters presence on my campus. All I wanted to do was stand in the middle with my "Peace On Earth" t-shirt and flash the peace sign at all who passed. "Make love, not war, unless you have to."

Myanmar Monks protesting

I've been watching the monks protesting in Myanmar this whole week or so... It's so interesting and beautiful and terrifying all at once. So much more interesting than mostly everything that happens in American politics lately - American politics look like a clown car exploded inside government offices.

Of course, monks protesting in Asia is reminiscent of what famous image from the 1960's?

I guess I'm starved for something really important and memorable. Maybe my generation looks at the Sixties and sees, "Wow, it looks like they actually accomplished something then! We need to do that too!" What we forget is, regardless, history happens. We have to make the choice to be an active part of it or not, but we also have to remember that the world is so different from the 1960's. That's hard to remember ... Mass student revolts against multiple social injustices aren't possible now because they've already happened in the past. But we try: 10,000 people go to Jena, Louisiana to protest an injustice that gained serious popularity in the media. Thousands of people turn out in the streets of New York City to protest Ahmadinejad's presence here (waste of a protest, if you ask me). We want to do something "huge," something "important."

So, what do we do? Where is our big Berkeley-Columbia-SDS movement? Where is our Chicago Seven? Not those things specifically, of course, but what is our big movement? Who are our leaders? Where do we get to fight our battles?

I guess that is yet to be seen.

"They are painting him as Public Enemy Number One."
"But he is, Fawaz! He is!" - CNN Reporter.

Please stop representing the American people as idiots. Thanks.

I am watching history happen right now.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is speaking.

One, two, three Columbias.