Glancing through the newspaper the other day, I came across an ad for a new movie entitled “Like Father, Like Son.” The premise of the movie is that a father and son (Dudley Moore and Kirk Cameron) switch places with each other—literally—in mind and body.

What an interesting concept. Imagine waking up one day to find yourself inside someone else’s body. Imagine that you know what your view on life is but somehow you magically can discern exactly how that other person felt or feels. Imagine further that you can tell the difference.

If “Like Father, Like Son” turns out like any of its predecessors (“Watermelon Man, Freaky Friday” etc.) both dad and kid will have a great new understanding of one another. They will become not only best friends but never ever will have a misunderstanding again.

Isn’t that special?

Let’s imagine that one day this happened at NIU, not to a select few, but to everybody. Let’s imagine that yuppie business majors woke up to find themselves in torn jeans and flannel shirts heading off to anthropology class. Or, how about some super liberals putting on the power suit and dashing off to Wirtz Hall? The list could go on.

There would be one flip-flop I sure wouldn’t want to miss. How about the JLS and the College Republicans trading places for a day? If there there are any two groups on campus polarized, divided, separated and at each others throats, these two are it.

While on the one hand it’s good, essential even, to have political and ideological disagreements, these two have let their differences degenerate into a petty squabble that is hurting everyone involved.

Take last week, for example. The College Republicans put up some fliers. The fliers were defaced. Although there were no actual accusations, the words “radical college liberals” make it clear what members of the CR are thinking about.

Earlier this semester, there was talk of silencing the radical left on campus. Stupid as this is, it set off another round of debate between both groups.

What is happening is that both groups refuse to give in one iota to the other. Although both sides openly have challenged the other to an open debate, neither side has admitted to being invited by the other. So, despite both sides declaring their willingness to discuss the issues, a real debate seems unlikely.

It’s a shame that two groups which are supposed to be open to diverse ideas are both so narrow-minded. It’s disgraceful that differences between liberals and conservatives have degenerated into ignorant misconceptions and name calling.

It’s an even bigger disgrace that instead of actively promoting themselves, both groups merely are pointing out the imperfections shared by everyone. There is no actual positiveness left in either group. Reactionary is a word they both like to use when describing each other. By virtue of their actions the term now applies to both. When was the last time either side did anything—or bothered to write a letter about it—in relation to one another that was not in reaction to the deeds of the other? Both sides have relegated themselves to telling us what dumb things the other stands for and/or has done.

It would be interesting if the CRs and the JLS woke up to find themselves in each other’s places. The CRs have to learn that fliers—everybody’s—get damaged. Furthermore, just because someone does not favor republican policy it does not make them harebrained.

On the other side of the coin, it must be said to the JLS that just because someone wants a strong defense he or she is not necessarily a fascist. Also, someone who calls for aid to the contras is not necessarily a capitalist oppressor.

Both sides should consider trading places for a while. Who knows? It sure would make things interesting.