Letter: Protester was rude, brash toward symposium panel

Editor,

The hypocrisy and incompetence displayed by Robert Anderson at a weapons symposium Friday was astounding. His actions were simply a publicity stunt, and their consequences are now being twisted by people like Elaine Cimino in her letter in Monday's Daily Lobo to deceive people.

The weapons symposium was a purely informational meeting. Professionals of the field came to UNM to inform people about their roles in the design of nuclear weapons. This was never referred to as a debate about nuclear weapon policy, and none of the speakers were policymakers. These people were the designers, and they simply wanted to inform the public of their work.

People like Anderson did not understand this concept. Anderson acted extremely rude and brash toward the speakers by continually yelling out and interrupting them. He continued these immature actions even when asked to stop by the presenters and UNM security. He even harangued the speakers while police were telling him to go outside or be arrested.

Imagine if this sort of antic were attempted in a classroom by a student who didn't like the lecture. The professor would not stand for it, because it would not be the time or place for that behavior. People are entitled to their own opinions and should voice them, but not in the manner of a 3-year-old. There are forums for discussion and debate at UNM. The symposium was an informational presentation designed to inform the public. It was not a debate. If anything, Anderson should have listened politely to what his opponents said, so he could hold his own debate or presentation on the topic.

I am not a proponent of nuclear weapons, and I feel very strongly about disarmament. However, I would rather be an informed citizen than be kept in the dark about what the designers of nuclear weapons are doing. People like Anderson obviously don't want the public to be informed. It seems he would rather push his own agenda and stop people from becoming educated on important topics. I am very disappointed by his actions.

When people come to UNM, they expect a place where they can voice their opinions and not be silenced by dissenters, as Cimino stated. Yet, this is exactly what Anderson did.

Brian Nease

UNM student