The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

            The key word missing, in some of the recent protests on the grounds of several colleges and universities, is "peaceably." Not all, but enough to shed serious concern from many who watch the once peaceful protests turn into communal gatherings on private property, and violence.

            Many people share the concerns of the protestors over the war in the Middle East. When those protests turn to violence, the perpetrators of the mayhem risk losing the support of those who backed them yesterday.

            As we view and read about the campus incidents we are met with some of the same questions that college officials and law enforcement have: Who is a terrorist and who isn't? Who is a peaceful protester? Who is ready to do harm to those with different points of view?

            Sadly, they must be prepared for actual violence from those who currently advocate violence.

            To those who continue to peacefully protest, you continue to earn the respect of those who acknowledge your right to do so. To the others, a college campus cannot be endlessly interrupted by protesters who violate the rules and the law.

             The recent break-in and takeover of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University in New York was an example of what not to do if you're trying to bring more supporters onto your side.

            After more than a week in a "tent city" set up on the campus in protest of the war in the Middle East and questioning the university's involvement in any funding of Israel related concerns, some mask-wearing students, faculty, and others broke into Hamilton Hall and barricaded themselves inside.

            A few hours after the building's takeover, one protestor demanded that the school help get "basic humanitarian aid" such as food and water to the anti-Israel rioters illegally occupying the building.

            To us outsiders watching or reading the news, it seemed like a challenge to authorities. After demands to disperse from the tent city–because it violated rules and laws–deadlines were given to move out. Deadlines came and went, getting extended each time the protestors didn't move.

            To us outsiders watching or reading the news, it seemed that since the protestors weren't moving and the deadlines to do so kept extending, it was time for them to do something even worse to provoke some kind of response.

            Well, they got it. At the request of University Administrators, law enforcement officers from the New York Police Department entered a second-floor window using a special vehicle equipped with a ramp, cleared the building and arrested over 100 people.