Henson is just as guilty

First, I want to applaud Kevin Lavelle for mustering the gumption to write a responding article to George Henson in Thursday’s Daily Campus. Lavelle made some very passionate but well-founded statements that have contributed to the campus discussion of this issue, and I hope no one will label him a “bigot” for speaking his mind; I certainly will not. Actually, I would like to augment Lavelle’s comments with a few of my own observations about Henson.

Like Lavelle, I too am saddened to hear of the vandalism that occurred to Henson’s office. Obviously, whoever is responsible for the crude and uncouth crime should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law – such acts only further inflame already heated issues. However, I too find it appalling that Mr. Henson would even speculate as to the political orientation of the perpetrator. For all we know, Mr. Henson could have written “faggot” on his own door to gain publicity for his statements. I am not suggesting that he did, but merely highlighting the fact that neither the police nor Mr. Henson have any idea of the identity of the criminal, let alone his or her political ideology. Yet, Mr. Henson was very eager to blame “Bush supporters” for the crime, but on what foundation?

I will be one of the first people to admit Bush has screwed up. Yes, the Iraq war is a mess; yes, our obliterated international reputation will have dire future consequences; and yes, the country is more polarized now than it was before his presidency. However, President Bush is exactly that – my president, and I find it incredibly counterproductive and irritating when people like Mr. Henson are relentless in their criticism. Should the president’s actions be debated? Undoubtedly, yes. Should we willfully accept anything or everything that the president does? Absolutely not. Yet, what good does is it to criticize an administration with every breath that he takes? Does Mr. Henson not realize that he too is contributing to the polarity of the country by making bigoted comments like every Bush supporter is a homophobe?

Obviously, the crime against George Henson should be admonished by all, but in my opinion, Mr. Henson’s reaction is just as culpable. How are we ever going to compromise and reunite the American politic if people like Mr. Henson are unwilling to open their mind just ever so slightly to objectively view the Bush administration? It saddens me that there are really two “casualties” of this crime: Mr. Henson, but also America.

Todd Baty is a sophomore history and music major. He can be reached at [email protected].