You ever feel that the world is full of people who let their emotions get the best of them? I don’t expect people to hold hands and sing “Kumbaya,” but it would be nice if people acted with common sense, respect and decency.

However, after last week, I realized that many people just aren’t open-minded enough to let their heads rule rather than their emotions.

Some UTM students showed me how rashly they can act and how little they care about how their words and actions are affect everyone else.

I attended the “Celebration of the Constitution” panel discussion last Thursday, hoping that I could participate in an intelligent discussion about arguments surrounding America’s basic rights. Yes, I seriously thought that. Don’t laugh.

Instead, at one point, I thought that fights were going to break out in the Watkins Auditorium when the topic of religion was discussed.

Some people got angry and walked out because others had different views. Some people yelled comments across Watkins that I thought were highly inappropriate. Some people asked questions with the purpose of embarrassing others and being mean. This left me thinking “What the hell?” and by the looks of the people witnessing students walk out, they were thinking the same thing.

Don’t get me wrong. I applaud people who stand by their convictions so strongly, but people can learn a lot from someone who doesn’t believe in the same things or feel the same way.

My real problem with the discussion was the people who, for whatever reason, started walking out of the forum. Walking out was not only rude to the people who took time out of their day to be a part of the panel, but it was also rude to the people in attendance.

Dr. Dan McDonough even said something when people started walking out, but that didn’t seem to help.

I am friends with people who are of a different religion, sexuality, or political party. Just because I don’t agree with what they feel or practice doesn’t mean that I’m so ignorant as to not accept their views and maybe even learn something from them.

Students don’t walk out when guests come to speak at UTM; we’re not allowed to hurl insults and inappropriate questions or comments across the room in class. So why can’t we be respectful of the faculty and students at UTM?

Before walking into a discussion of heated topics, ask yourself if you’re open-minded and respectful enough to attend and rationally participate.

If not, don’t go there.

All through life we will hear views and opinions that will be opposite of ours. People should be intelligent enough to hear these views without flying into a rage and storming out of the room.Not only does it come across as being rude, but it also comes across as being childish.