Tammi's World

Pony Up!

I've mentioned several times I attended a Mennonite college. Now, I've also mentioned that the Mennonite religion is one of pacifism.

Yeah, I stuck out like a sore thumb, why do you ask?

Anyway- I have one very vivid memory from my time there. Well, one that I'm willing to talk about right now anyway.

It was a sunny day and I was in my Business Management class. We were about half way through for the day when all of a sudden a group of men in suits showed up. They walked en-mass to the front of the class and stopped in front of our prof.

They then proceeded to inform him that he was under arrest for NOT PAYING HIS TAXES. As they were escorting him out of the room he announced that as long as one dime of his taxes went towards the military he refused to pay.

In true liberal fashion, the school was scandalized. Shocked. Outraged.

So was I.

However, that is where the similarities end. I couldn't believe, even at that age surrounded by all that propaganda, I couldn't believe that someone thought they had the right to live in this country with all of our freedoms and opportunities and NOT support the military that kept that all possible.

Now remember, this was the early 80's. The Reagan Era.

What did the majority of the student body and teachers do? They staged a mass protest (of course they did). On the steps of the local courthouse/jail. They held signs in support of this Prof. He was heralded a hero.

He and they made me sick.

Yes, they made me sick. And the memory itself still has that effect.

So I see today that this is not an uncommon practice. Huh.

Well I say this - you don't like it.....LEAVE. You want the rights, priveldges and opportunities? Well, ya gotta pay to play folks.

And yes, I do feel VERY strongly about this. I paid some heavy cost 25 years ago, and continue to do so today because I feel so strongly about this. And you know what? It's another price I'm willing to pay.

Posted by Tammi at April 13, 2007 10:07 AM | TrackBack