Tech students debate (some) politics
By Christian Trejbal
Last week, Virginia Tech student Republicans, Libertarians and Democrats debated on campus. About 100 people showed up for the event in Haymarket Theatre. Perhaps more planned to attend, but a raucous casino night under way in the ballroom next door might have diverted a few people more interested in blackjack than politics.
The sad truth is politics is an afterthought for many college students. Young voter apathy and the tendency of candidates to focus on other demographic groups create a feedback loop that reinforces itself and thrives.
For the half-dozen students on stage, however, politics is alive, vibrant and important. It shined in their eyes and lent strength to their voices.
Trejbal is a Roanoke Times editorial writer. He is based in the New River Valley. Follow him on Twitter at @ctrejbal.
October 28, 2012 - 7:50 AM
I read the Current on Students debate (some) Politics put the paper down went back to the Baseball game on TV, but something was bothering me in the back of my mind. The students were told by the RNC not to debate social issues, so now our parties tell us what to do and not do, worse Virginia Tech Students agreed. Voters tell the partys what to do, not the other way around. Time for that famous line from the movie V for Vendetta changed a bit – Government Should listen to its people, not the people listen to their Government.