VOL. XVII, NO. 11
APRIL 19, 1976
My Turn
Persecution Steps on Us
Persecution Steps on Us
By THOM O'DONNELL
American persecution did not end in 1954 when the Senate censured Joe McCarthy. Persecution is still walking the streets, and it is stepping on every one of us.
Last week in the Elk Grove Village Circuit Court, an 18‑year‑old man was charged with driving 83 mph in a 40 mph zone. He was fined $105. This in itself is not surprising; but less than an hour later, the same judge fined a middle‑aged man $25 for doing over 60 in a 20 mph school speed zone.
American persecution did not end in 1954 when the Senate censured Joe McCarthy. Persecution is still walking the streets, and it is stepping on every one of us.
Last week in the Elk Grove Village Circuit Court, an 18‑year‑old man was charged with driving 83 mph in a 40 mph zone. He was fined $105. This in itself is not surprising; but less than an hour later, the same judge fined a middle‑aged man $25 for doing over 60 in a 20 mph school speed zone.
Incidents of this nature are not uncommon. For as long as I can remember, the thoughts, ideas, and even the works of American youth have been overlooked or pushed aside. How many people realize that the Statue of Liberty would not stand in New York Harbor if American school children had not raised money for its foundation?
When MW students graduate and stroll out into "the real world," they had all better be ready because plenty of "protected suburbanites" will be stunned to find that the rest of the world does not treat them the same as Mother and Dad did.
An exhorbitant traffic fine is one way to realize how younger Americans are persecuted, but there are plenty of other ways, too, many of which are a great deal more disheartening than a traffic ticket.
When MW students graduate and stroll out into "the real world," they had all better be ready because plenty of "protected suburbanites" will be stunned to find that the rest of the world does not treat them the same as Mother and Dad did.
An exhorbitant traffic fine is one way to realize how younger Americans are persecuted, but there are plenty of other ways, too, many of which are a great deal more disheartening than a traffic ticket.