Alicia,
Students for Social Justice and instructor Mary Berquist accomplished a very positive step in bringing Richard Becker to the Merced College theater on Tuesday. For those who weren't there, Mr. Becker is a full time activist and lecturer against war. He spoke to an audience of about 80 students which is a pretty good turnout. He was able to field a few questions from the audience. I feel there needed to be more time allotted to questions. Maybe next time. The subject of his talk centered around the situation unfolding in the middle east and touched on some of the history behind how the United States has been involved in the situation as it exists. It would be great to have a speaker a month at the college theater. Interestingly, there was some pressure by college administration to postpone Richard Becker's appearance until after the election. My guess is there were fears that any controversy he might arouse would have a negative effect on the outcome of the bond measure the college is supposedly depending on to fund future construction at the college. I believe the measure passed by the way.