 Senator Kelly Defends Humankind
by Brad Cook Earlier this week, Mania published a discussion between Prof Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr in which they debated the place of mutants in our society. [Click here to read that article--Editor]. In response to that earlier feature, Senator Kelly sent us the following letter in which he offers his own opinion on whether humans and mutants can live together peacefully. Dear Editor: It was with great displeasure that I read today's editorial page. Why was so much space given to Mr. Xavier and Mr. Lehnsherr's views on the role of mutants in today's society when in reality they are presenting slightly different opinions which both lie on the same side of the fence? Why was no invitation extended to me for an opportunity to rebut their editorials? Since I was left out of the debate, I can only hope you print this letter. While your publication has been decidedly pro-mutant ever since this issue became a hot button topic in the media, I ask that you print the views of someone who has an entirely different take on this matter. As you and your readers know, we live in a very different world than the one in which our forefathers and we grew up. Much like the dinosaurs must have felt when viewing the first mammals, many average citizens are frightened that a new species has come to usurp their rightful claim as the dominant lifeform on the planet. This new species even has a new name for their kind: homo superior. Doesn't that tell you anything? Mr. Lehnsherr insists on using it the way some people insist on terms such as "Native American," and yet the reality is that its usage connotes genetic superiority, whereas "Native American" merely asks for recognition of one's ethnic heritage. And we all know that Mr. Lehnsherr's actions in the guise of his alter ego Magneto spell out his plans for world domination. He is not fighting fire with fire; he is fighting fire with a nuclear arsenal. On the other hand, Mr. Xavier prefers the term "mutant," as if he's asking for pity for him and his "students." What goes on behind closed doors at that "school" of his? Why have my representatives been denied even a tour of the campus grounds? Would any legitimate academy close itself off from the outside world in this manner? And in a time when institutions such as the Citadel have been forced to open their admissions to women, why does Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters continue to openly discriminate against all homo sapiens and get away with it? Now, some say that my proposed Mutant Registration Act, which Congress will vote on this month, is discriminatory, but those who are not blinded by emotional rhetoric know that this claim is far from the truth. Unlike the plight of Jews or African Americans, the situation with mutants is that they are, technically speaking, not human. And since they are not human, we have every right to be wary of their existence and seek some degree of control over them, at least until we understand why they are here. Between their use of the term homo superior and biological analyses of their DNA which show how radically different their genetic make-up is, I think it is obvious that we are dealing with a new species. This is a species that cuts across racial and religious lines and divides an entire segment of society from everyone who does not have mutated genes. If they were aliens from another world, would we still treat them with kid gloves? Of course not.
In my experience speaking with people about this issue and reading and hearing reports about it in the media, I have found that the former attitude tends to be driven more by emotion than logic. Comparisons to the Holocaust or women's suffrage are ridiculous when one looks at the issue through the clear lens of rational thought. Quite simply, this is about survival of the human species. While Mr. Xavier has never made the kind of hostile threats which Mr. Lehnsherr has engaged in, how do we know what goes on behind closed doors at his "school"? How do we know that he isn't playing us all for dupes? Perhaps he and Mr. Lehnsherr are in cahoots, with Mr. Lehnsherr (or Magneto, if you prefer) drawing our attention away while Mr. Xavier readies himself to deal the killing blow to our species. Until we know who and what we are dealing with, the Mutant Registration Act is the only sensible course of action. We can compile a registry of every mutant in this country and work with other governments around the globe to compare data and work out a suitable course of action. Once this act passes, I will ask the United Nations to roll out a worldwide strategy for handling this situation. It will do us no good if we control the mutant threat in our country but watch it escalate out of control in others. In closing, I only ask that everyone look at this situation with open minds and logical hearts. Please don't let emotions override your sensible thinking. The human race is counting on you. Thank you.
Senator Kelly
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