How can an idea so progressive, so sophisticated as that of radicalism be associated with our sweet, innocent youth? Easily. First of all, my friend and fellow forum editor Dennis Sweeney would agree with me that kids have it the right way: When asmall child is not happy, theythrow an absolute temper tantrum! In his column, “Get Radical” (Student Life, Oct. 8), Dennis seems to recommend this type of reversion in our current and perhaps stereotypical “activist” political environment. He neglects, however, to consider where that radical, temper tantrum-throwing child is left: kicking, screaming and stuck in the corner with only tears and frustration.

There is a certain danger in taking Dennis’s advice to the extreme. While he claims we are “burnt out on rah-rah-burn-thingsdown,” I think people are still adopting that rhetoric in place of the more necessary one, to which Dennis is also opposed: compromise.

I understand that Dennis probably wrote against “compromise” in the sense of tolerating what is unjust for the purpose of keeping the peace, but I think in such a stratified society, compromise is the only means to solution. Sure, Bon Appétit probably made a compromise in sacrificing calories for a time when they decided to keep that fried chicken. Under a compromise, however, perhaps they could use oil lower in trans fat or chicken fingers that are more substantial in nutrition. There is always the speedy option of soup or a pre-packaged salad, and Bear Mart is abundant in choices. I may have abused Dennis’s example, but, given Bon Appétit’s firmly established monopoly of our meal plans, activism and not radicalism is the necessary approach. Fill out the comment cards; e-mail dining services, and take incessant action.

I don’t mean to single out or attack Dennis here, but I am going to branch off of his examples to assert that our political system is indeed stuck in the rut he mentions. There are those screaming for radical change without actually doing anything about it, but I fear that they crave radicalism for the sake of being radical! Radicalism is cool, hip and appealing (just like Dennis) but lacks the substance necessary to solve problems.

“Radical” mindsets are what have so harshly stratified the party-oriented leadership of our nation into two different worldviews, and the majority of Americans do not perfectly fit just one of them. Imagine if, just like the old days, the president and vice president were from different parties. John McCain and Barack Obama in office together would start out as something of a disaster. They wouldn’t agree on much, but once they admitted that there are some serious problems to address, they would stop attacking each other to enhance their own glory and start compromising to fix these problems. McCain would agree to set a finite plan to leave Iraq while Obama cut down on some of his huge spending initiatives. They both feel strongly on the environment and would devote time and attention to clean energy initiatives. As for some of the more controversial issues such as gay marriage and abortion rights? Leave them up to the states. Why have we settled for polarized factions? America is about so much more than red vs. blue. However strange it may sound, I stand strongly in favor of a purple America.

Those of you who feel very strongly that extreme change in the form of liberal reform is the only option are likely disagreeing with me right now. Please, though, remember that there are other people out there who are just as frustrated as you are but have different ideas about how to change things. Don’t be that child left kicking and screaming in the corner, but instead be the one that wipes away his tears and announces that he is ready to have a “big kid” conversation.