It is probably too much to expect people who just started doing their own laundry to lose sleep over an impending vote of the UN Security Council, but still, the lack of political activism on this campus has got me, though a devoted conservative, itching to burn Bush in effigy or throw some tomatoes at the College Repub-licans, all in the name of national security.

The United States is about to take action that could lead to world war, and the issue that has got this campus writhing in existential agony is what class is entitled to what parking garage.

Much can be said about this perverse imbalance, but one should not say it is shocking.

Forget, for a moment, about students. For a country devoted to self-government, it is remarkable how many of its citizens, of all ages, are political morons. People can list the reasons Rachael chose Joey over Ross (or was it Ross over Joey?) but ask them to explain the reasons that our President is proposing to invade Iraq and you might as well ask them to sunbathe in traffic. Perplexity abounds.

Now, let’s get one thing straight. I’m not asserting that at midnight you should not be watching “eliminiDate.” Indeed, any conception of the good life must take into account the categorical imperative of watching that show and assessing the success of the insults exchanged by the women. However, the problem is that students are too much “eliminiDate” and not enough “Hardball.” Too much “Will she sleep with him?” and not enough “Do we need an international coalition?”

While rebuking the masses for fleeing from serious matters, the accuser must concede that a lot of political issues are about as exciting as drywall. Even the most politically devout–those, say, who know who Brian Lamb is (if you don’t know, you’ll survive)–have to acknowledge the total absence of anything remotely flavorful in discussions about campaign finance reform or the efficacy of term limits or the selection of federal judges. And as The Columnist (aka George Will) says, “A healthy, happy nation should not, at least for long, resemble a seminar. Only in unhappy nations are the most fundamental questions constantly debated.”

The Columnist, as usual, is correct, but note the qualification at least for long. The implication is that even in healthy, happy nations it is necessary from time to time for citizens to educate themselves more fully about the actions contemplated by their government. For the United States, now is such a time.

President Bush’s decision to invade Iraq, if the invasion happens, will be the most perilous decision of any President since John Kennedy ordered a naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis. If the United States invades Iraq, kills Saddam Hussein and then fails to set up a decent government, or if the United States finds more resistance than forecasted, Bush’s decision might soon become the worst decision of any President, ever.

In the spirit of a Russian revolutionary, you might ask, What is to be done? Or, What does he mean? Here’s what:

Regarding this activism, I’m not talking about a “sit-in” or some feeble protest or prayer service. I’m talking downright activism. I want to see massive protests like the ones from the ’60s, with their chanting and placards.

Nevermind.

For the sake of you, your country and shallow contestants appearing on laughable dating shows, stop reading and go buy some tomatoes.

Matt Emerson is a junior studying political science.