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Dear George, Perhaps protests are supposed to be annoying. Understandably, a protest could generate anger in someone who is unaware or unsympathetic to the cause of the ruckus; in this case, perhaps enough money for people who do the actual work to live on. However, I am somewhat amused at the use of the word "terrorist" to describe the people or actions occurring in front of the Marriott every Friday. I try to picture the faces of those participating concerned citizens, students and local officials on the post office wall with Tim McVeigh and Osama Bin Laddin and I can't quite make that stretch of imagination. Nor can I make the stretch of imagination that the bulk of the work in Mr. Campbell's office occurs in those waning hours of Friday afternoon [when the protests occur]. It would seem an innovative manager would have gotten around the small hurdle that brief, scheduled, demonstration presents. As an individual, or as a representative of the University, Mr. Campbell has the perfect right we all have to express his opinions publicly and privately. However, I also note that Mr. Campbell is Vice Chairman of the Board of Social Services and on the Virginia Advisory Council on Adult Education and Literacy. As a citizen and taxpayer, I would certainly like to see someone who serves the people and the State of Virginia express themselves with more maturity and concern for social issues, freedom of speech and assembly. As for the anger Mr. Campbell feels and "is not proud of", the University does offer help in the areas of stress management. As someone who is "not unaware or unsympathetic to the plight of the working poor", I hope Mr. Campbell is a generous tipper for maid service when he visits Marriott, else he may find the noise of that small protest amplified through his conscience. Eight dollars an hour: it's something we can live with. Sincerely, Wilson McIvor (electronic mail, May 29, 2001).
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