Duke's presence destroys debates

David Duke is a piranha of society. It was expected that his appearance at Cal State Northridge Wednesday was going to cause some kind of disturbance. The day before the debate was to take place, there was a bomb sweep conducted in CSUN's student union. Obviously, they were prepared for the worst.

CSUN president Vladimir Cerna put people's lives in danger when he made his decision to invite Duke to debate with civil rights leader Joe Hicks about Proposition 209.

Inside the student union, there was a debate complete with polite gestures and decorum. Outside, students were battling against police. Demonstrators were throwing fists while police were hurling tear gas.

One protester was clubbed in the head, although he and his fellows were rightfully irate about the fact that someone so racist was actually invited to spew his hateful rhetoric.

But all of this could have been prevented if Duke was not invited.

Cerna was criticized by the students who pointed out that the money paid to Duke to appear could have been put to a far greater use.

The decision to have Duke be the spokesperson for Prop. 209 was careless and an obvious attempt by opponents of the ballot measure to discredit it.

Placing his name in association with an ideology is a disgrace and totally inappropriate.

Cerna seemed to want to demonstrate that Prop. 209 is something that no one should support. He wants to let students and faculty know that this proposition has racist undertones. But by displaying Duke as the poster boy for this cause, it shines more light on his irresponsibility that Duke's or the measure's worthlessness.

Even students who support the measure were outraged at the fact that something they are working hard for is maligned in such a way.

A more effective way to have handled these debates is obvious. Let the College Republican club choose someone they would like to meet and speak about the issue. Then let the Young Democrats choose someone. Have the debate and include students on either side of the issue to speak also. Allow the real leaders at CSUN to discuss it. Use the money to plan rallies for both sides.

While the idea of having two representatives of either side of the measure debate its validity, it would have been a wiser decision to have two respectable speakers than make a mockery of it.

To give students, faculty and the community of CSUN the chance to hear two nationally known politicians debate on their campus about such a controversial topic is an honor.

Having the ex-grand dragon of the Ku Klux Klan appear as a representative for proponents of Prop. 209 is not only a slap in the face to them, but does a disservice to those who want to know the issue.