Last spring I read a letter to the editor by a JLS member that implied that anyone who criticized the JLS has no right to do so unless he or she first attended one of the group’s meetings. Therefore I decided to accept this invitation by attending their Oct. 1 meeting.

I waited almost 2 hours for a chance to speak. When finally given the chance to announce my name and the fact that I was a member of the College Republicans, I was rudely interrupted by the JLS faculty advisor. Mr. Anderson stated that I had very poor ethics in that I did not immediately announce I had this affiliation. I suddenly felt as if I were attending a “Conservatives Anoymous” meeting and had to announce, “I’m Jeff, and I’m a Republican.”

After enduring the abuse, I had to question whether the group was sincere in inviting all students to attend their meetings. We have allowed (JLS members) to speak freely without forcing them to identify themselves as belonging to any other group. If their faculty advisor does not feel all students should be allowed to attend their meetings without having to announce other groups they belong to, then he should inform his members not to make these open invitations. So for those of you who wish to attend a meeting of the JLS before you criticize them, be sure to wear a sign on your forehead.

Jeff Steenwyk

senior

accountancy/computer science