This is a time in our country when every detail of our government seems to matter. Many are critical of our government’s actions. There are others who support President Bush, to the point they have a lynch-mob mentality toward those who speak against or question Dubya and America.

The most recent infringement of a celebrity’s first amendment right to free speech was Linda Ronstadt in Las Vegas. The 58-year-old singer was wrapping up a show at the Aladdin Hotel when she dedicated an encore of Desperado to Michael Moore. She called him a great patriot and encouraged the audience to go see his movie. Having done the same thing at every single previous show on her tour, she did not expect the reaction she received.

Half of the 4,500 audience members booed as they left the auditorium, throwing drinks and tearing down her posters while many cheered her on. She was then asked to leave the building and was led off the premises to her waiting tour bus.

She was silenced and was not even able to go to her room before she left. Then Bill Timmins, president of the hotel, justified throwing Ronstadt out by saying, “She ruined an otherwise wonderful night.”

We cannot accept the fact that people are being thrown out of buildings for simply saying what they believe in and recommending a movie.

It has become clear this year’s presidential election will be one of the most crucial in U.S. history. We all remember the upset and controversy caused by the last election. This time around many people are trying to do all they can to not let any mistakes be repeated and make sure Dubya is booted from office.

One of the most recent and most notable fights against our not-so-esteemed president is Michael Moore’s film “Fahrenheit 9/11.” The film covers the photo-finish election in 2000 and Bush’s attitude toward national security before and after 9/11, along with the Bush clan’s ties to Saudi royals and the family of Osama Bin Laden.

The movie set box office records in its first weekend in theaters, beating out all other movies that came out that weekend. It made $21.8 million in its first weekend, which is more than his previous film, “Bowling for Columbine,” made in its entire nine-month theatrical run.

Given the thousands of people who flocked to the theatre, the need for information or perhaps an explanation of what has been going on in our country the past few years seems to have become a priority for an overwhelming amount of people in this country.

Another piece of information available is the 9/11 report, which was composed by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, a bi-partisan committee made up of five democrats and five r epublicans. The committee questioned many leaders in government who were involved with making decision during the 9/11 crisis.

The committee found that there was inadequate communication between U.S. intelligence agencies on the morning of 9/11 and gave recommendations for the future on how to protect our country. The panel said that both presidents (Clinton and Bush) should have made anti-terrorism efforts more of a priority.

So what does all this mean in terms of the November election? There is a lot going on in our country that we have no control over and probably a lot more going on that we don’t even know about. That is why i for everyone to vote for a person we feel we can trust and in which makes us feel they will lead and take care of us well.

There is much to consider when going to the polls this November as college students. We are greatly affected by the decisions our government makes, and we need to be part of those decisions.