I see a lot of people around the world protesting the policies of George W. Bush, and in fact, I see some of that protest here on the UVM campus. This excercise of our 1st amendment right is healthy and important to American democracy. Unfortunately, much of this protest -especially on our campus – is unstructured, uninformed and often ignorant (ie certain individuals’ behavior at last month’s Adelman speech) and this detracts from its intent and effectiveness.One way UVM students can more effectively protest (or support) his holiness King George’s seemingly misguided policies is by either registering to vote in Vermont or by requesting and returning the absentee ballot just waiting for you back at home. While the court jester who would be king campaigns for his Republican brethren these coming weeks – an “unprecedented” 14 straight days (Headline News, 10/15/02), having already eclipsed Clinton’s 1994 midterm election money machine by a factor of three, UVM students could be voting for their states’ governors, legislatures, and all important federal Congressional seats. Election 2002 is highly contentious, the US House is controlled by a Republican margin of 6 seats, and the Senate favors the Dems by a 50-49-1 alignment (Thank you Jim!) On the heels of the 2000 census, districts have been redrawn, incumbents can be challenged, and many must go thanks to term limits…every student, whether a local Vermonter or not, should register to vote and make an informed decision. Instead of whining about the government, excercise your American right and vote your conscience. People who don’t vote lose the right to complain about the people everyone else voted for.