Groups have right to express beliefs

I write in response Norman Baumgartner's Exponent letter "Groups Shouldn't Impose Beliefs," published Tuesday, April 10. Mr. Baumgartner wrote a non-coherent diatribe describing his opinions on birth control and respecting others' beliefs. He even goes so far as to say that "no group or people [sic] have the right to impose their idea of morality on other people." He then uses the U.S. Constitution as "support" for his arguments.

Well, Norm, I have news for you. The very Constitution that you attempted to use for "support" shoots down your own arguments. There's a little thing called the Bill of Rights (that's the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, Norm, since you obviously aren't clued in) that gives American citizens freedom of religion, press, expression, and the right "peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Norm, did the crosses on the Memorial Mall jump out and physically harm you? Do you have tell-tale "cross wounds?" Did they start a riot or contribute to civil unrest in any way? Last time I checked, a cross was an inanimate object. No, my good Norm, you are wrong. The group that offended you so greatly had every right to express their beliefs just as much as you had the right to make a fool of yourself by writing to the Exponent and complaining about something that would be best left alone.

Rob Benner

Senior, Schools of Engineering

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