Overreactions hurt democracy

[tabatha]

"The right of the people peaceably to assemble, and petition the Government for a redress of grievances" was clearly defined in the First Amendment to the Constitution in 1791.

We are proud of our two high-achieving college-student granddaughters. Both were honor students in high school with many scholastic and extra-curricular honors. The older is a pre-medicine student at Harvard. Her younger sister is a veterinary medicine student at UC Davis.

The financial burden on the parents of two college students taking expensive courses is high -- but worth every penny to their parents and grandparents. The end result of this happily accepted financial burden will be two contributing members of society -- a medical doctor and a veterinarian, who have set lofty goals of public service in their future practices.

The younger woman has devoted her vacations and holidays to volunteering at free animal clinics. She worked every summer through high school to accumulate funds for her education. She is not political; she is a sweet, loving, kind young woman.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111125/OPINION02/711259985

So much for dirty, unemployed hippies.

[Zorra]

1. They sure do. As can non-reaction.

It is usually wise to seriously consider ethics and consequences before taking action, or not taking action.

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

From the Declaration of Independence