Protesting the Protesters

(I seem to using the same post title construction today. What's up with that? Hmm. Oh well.)

The Sac Bee's political columnist Dan Walters - not really my favorite writer as his columns routinely just end, rather than have an ending (you know, like an SNL sketch) - turns his attention to recent protests at the State Capitol by UC students angry about proposed budget cuts that could result in admissions freezes or tuition hikes. Walters main point is that protesters from all interest groups effected by the proposed cuts are kind of shooting blind when they attempt to bitch about cuts - especially when there are some strong indications that his January 10 slasher budget is a bit of a ruse aimed at building him a trap door to increasing taxes. But the paragraph that confused me was this one, on the UC student activists:

It wasn't exactly a throwback to the tie-dyed 1960s; the female students wore high heels and the men coats and ties as they listened to politicians' expressions of support, including a "freeze the fees" plea from Lt. Gov. John Garamendi. But subdued as it may have been, it symbolized the angst that's developing over the state's whopping budget deficit.

What? Are they less sincere? Are only 60s hippie freaks effective activists? I think it's great these students bothered to look like serious people worthy of serious attention. Of course, I recall also seeing something about many wearing rain ponchos because they are "drowning in debt" but ponchos and suits and ties work better than tie-dye for being taken seriously.

Too bad they had to listend to what was, no doubt, an endless Garamendi speech. Man, that guy can go on and on.