Making change in the small sandbox\nI finally realized why I hate Tim Robbins. Don't get me wrong, I think that Robbins is a great actor. But as I watched "Real Time with Bill Maher" this evening, I realized why I get mad every time I see a celebrity spouting off about his or her political views. It isn't because I disagree with them (although most of the time I do). It isn't because I believe celebrities are idiots and shouldn't have the right to speak on political issues (although I think that until Tim Robbins mows his own grass or cleans his toilet, he shouldn't try to relate to the pain of the common man/woman). The truth is that I don't hate them; it's that I am jealous. I'm jealous that they get to go on TV shows and say what they believe in, what they think is wrong with this country and what they would do to fix things. Hey! I have ideas! I have opinions! Why am I not on "Larry King Live"?\nCelebrities have a much bigger sandbox where they can throw large amounts of sand in the air to get attention. I, on the other hand, play in a small sandbox that has very little sand and smells funny. Robbins and other celebrity activists like him have the opportunity to be activists. I have papers to write, grass to mow, friends to see, relatives to care about, jobs to do, money to make, take care of this, go do that, and if I have anytime left over I will try to help the local Girl Scouts by buying some cookies. The point is that our little deeds can seem small compared to Susan Sarandon flashing the peace sign at the Oscars or Sean Penn flying over to Iraq or Bono talking to every politician who will listen to him, even though they don't know who he is. So what? Just because our actions aren't broadcast on the news, doesn't make them any less meaningful. Small things count and they add up. \nOne of my instructors took attendance the other day by asking, "What cause do you support?" to everyone in the class. Most, if not all, had a tough time responding. Answers were the general, important sounding themes, like, "the environment" or "health care." Causes don't have to be big and important; start small. I've picked mine and it is the "Be nice to others" cause. I am going to try to shoot a smile at someone I don't know, spare some change, offer encouragement, etc. Let Tim Robbins worry about the big things that I don't have a lot interest in or time for; I'm going to make difference in the little space that I occupy. Can you imagine if we all did that? \nGabriel Huddleston\nGraduate student
A big bravo to Anna's 'quiet heroism'\nBravo to Anna Dittmer for a beautifully written, sensitive column ("The Power of Quiet Heroism," IDS, Monday). She has drawn parallels between the death of Gov. O'Bannon and the death of her grandfather, who passed away on the same day, and reminds us that each person's life and death are of consequence, whether famous or not. What a blessing that Anna has lovely memories of her grandfather. I'm sure he shared her delight in their time spent together. In a society where hurtful words are so easily said, her column is a reminder to us all to get in touch with someone you care about and tell them you care. Don't let an opportunity go by to express your gratitude for their "quiet heroism." Thanks, Anna, for reminding us that we all matter! \nCarole Allen\nRecords Services representative\nCollege of Arts & Sciences
