Student wrong on PATRIOT act
In his letter to the editor yesterday, freshman Matt Norney seems to echo the frustrations of many a right-wing conservative freedom-loving patriot. Although I patently disagree with his assertions regarding military service and feel that most of his letter was mindless drivel (a level to which I cannot lower myself to respond), I refuse to allow him to disregard the truth. About the USA PATRIOT Act, Norney claims, “the truth is that act is only enforced on suspected terrorist (sic).” In reality, the act has been used to dig up information about U.S. political candidates (Las Vegas Sun, 11/4/03); persecute artists (New York Times 6/7/2004); and infiltrate local anti-war groups (Los Angeles Times 6/23/2004). All the while, militant white supremacists are all but ignored, our borders have become more porous, and our civil rights have been systematically threatened.
The USA PATRIOT Act is a piece of legislation enacted by an out-of-control Congress as a reactionary move to the heinous events of 9/11. In truth, even the strict provisions of the act may not have prevented those attacks. While it is commendable that the act has provided for greater collaboration between government agencies, much of it is offensive and parts of it have even been found unconstitutional.
Mr. Norney, I agree with you; freedom does indeed come at a price. Our Founding Fathers would disagree with you and say that as humans, we do deserve freedom, criticism notwithstanding. I’m thankful that people like your brother fight in our volunteer army, but that does not strip me of the right to voice my disagreement with our nation’s policies. Indeed, it is the only thing that guarantees that right.
 
Scott McKenzie Keen
Senior
Music Education
Remembering those who fight
The war in Iraq wasn’t as close to home for me as it became Tuesday. This is when I learned that my cousin, Marine Lance Cpl. Jeremiah Kinchen, was killed. I haven’t seen Jeremiah in years, but this fact doesn’t lessen the sadness I feel for his family.
In this time of pain and sorrow, I simply want to thank all the soldiers and their families for the sacrifices they are making. I cannot begin to imagine what they go through on a daily basis. I would like to encourage every American to take at least one moment each day to remember those fighting for our freedom.
To all our serving in the armed forces, thank you, and I pray that God will continually guide and protect you.
 
Kari Vicknair
Senior
Kinesiology
Disabled students overlooked
I am a disabled student with mobility problems. The reason I have stopped filling out accomadation letters is that they seem to be a waste of time. My physician tells me these letters explaining that I have not grown a new spine annoy him and waste his time. I prefer to remain on good terms with my physcian.
In my freshman year, I found myself in a class with nothing but ancient wooden desks that placed pressure on the crushed vertabrea in my spine. I went to Johnston Hall and told them of the problem. I was told that their office would try to provide me with adequate seating. I was also told this was a difficult request, and if a suitable desk actually showed up in the classroom, it would probably be stolen. After three attempts to get the chair, it was placed in the room and it was promptly stolen. However, there is now a pile of broken furniture in the front of most classrooms here. This is the handicapped seating. At least that is what the tattered xerox taped to the tables says.
In another case, I asked for access to the foreign-language lab. It is on the second floor of a building without an elevator. I was given access to a small room on the first floor. By “access” I mean that I could use this room if I made an appointment the day before, if I owned a cell phone to communicate with the student workers upstairs, if I knew the name and number of every piece of material available to my class and if the student with the keys was on campus that day.
What I do now is use my priority registration to select buildings that are already acessable and have adequate seating. This usually works. I have a problem now because I have a class in the basement of Lockett and I did not save and study all the e-mail Johnston Hall sent out last year. This is my fault.
I do not believe there is any incompetence or lack of concern on the part of the Office of Disability Services or anyone who works there. I just believe they are powerless and ignored, as are the disabled students.
 
Edgar Adams
Senior
Creative Writing
Students seek equal access
This is in response to the article published on April 7 entitled “Opinions vary on Disability Access. “My name is Amanda Turner, and as a student with a disability attending this University, I would like to try to clear up some misconceptions that people have made evident by this article. First, we as a society should be careful when we draw conclusions about people who are “different” than us without getting to know them. Just because someone looks “fine” does not mean they do not struggle. Also, it is hard to hear people, who may or may not have a disability, say this campus is accessible enough.
I never make judgments about people until I have first tried on their shoes. Some people may to realize is that people with disabilities who live in residence halls cannot live on any floor other than the first because they cannot use the elevators in a fire. I would ask you to please at least try to be sensitive, ask questions and learn. There is nothing wrong with asking questions. In saying this, I am not trying to speak for everyone with a disability.
I would like to take this chance to say thank you to those who are actively supporting students with disabilities: The Reveille, Student Government, Office of Disabilities Services and students in general
 
Amanda Turner
Senior
Psychology
Student mourns lack of free food
Before I was a student at LSU, I knew that there was something special about the week of Spring Testing. It was a chance to experience the freedoms of college life away from the prying eyes of parents. After becoming a student, Spring Testing took on new meaning. It began a time when I, an independent and a desperate mooch, could rely on various student organizations to provide my nourishment for three entire days. Two meals a day were provided during this period by various campus organizations. For an all-too-short three days during the relentless pressures of the spring semester, I could open my door, smell the sweetness of the earth and honestly say, “Life is good!”
Unfortunately, my friends, such is no longer the case. I have been met with opposition at every corner, denied of any opportunity to sate my unending hunger. As many of you know, a jambalaya lunch is provided by several religious organizations each year at Spring Testing. My friends and I look forward to this event with great anticipation as an occasion for lightheartedness and casual tomfoolery.
My plans were dashed, however, when I was asked to provide a “ticket” to enjoy the festivities. When I inquired about the nature of this “ticket,” I was told that it was a part of my Spring Testing packet, which, of course, I had not, and would not, receive. I informed the ticket-taker that I had always been allowed to enjoy the festivities and food, only to be denied. Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are you who hunger.” Blessed am I, indeed!
Now, I’m not too keen on conspiracy theories, but, to be honest, there is too much evidence to ignore. A new chancellor, a new football coach, the movement of “Groovin’ on the Grounds” to another week, a convenient name change from “Spring Testing” to “Spring Invitational.” Something fishy is going on here.
You can laugh at me all you wish, but don’t come crying to me when you don’t get “invited” to your own graduation, because all I will do is lean back, sigh, and say, “I told you so.”
 
Roy Bergeron Jr.
Junior
Religious Studies
Freedom belongs to us all
This letter is in response to Matt Nomey’s letter, “Freedom Comes with a Price.” Specifically, I would like to address his uniformed and outlandish comments regarding liberal thought.
Mr. Nomey states that “people need to stop complaining,” but if an idea or an act is not strong enough to endure the scrutiny and questioning of arguments against it, then clearly the idea or act in question is weak. Mr. Nomey expressed a common fear that if society thinks too much, or continues to point out obvious problems, then something might change. Personally, I welcome change.
In addition, Mr. Nomey clearly does not understand the idea of a check on the power of law enforcement.
Liberals do not believe that criminals should be running madly down the street free to rape and pillage. Nobody is chanting “Free Saddam.”
I simply believe that law enforcement should acknowledge and respect privacy. What is the point of social protection as oppressive as the terrorists it claims to protect against?
Mr. Nomey says not to worry about the PATRIOT Act because it “is only being enforced on suspected terrorists.” I care about the rights of all
people. The blind racism against anyone who looks remotely Middle Eastern is sickening. An attack on any of my fellow humans’ liberty is an attack on my liberty.
I have never taken my “freedom for granted by complaining about it.”
Social and political criticism is the highest form of expression and appreciation for one’s own freedom.
I write this letter with the intent to better society by urging people consider all sides of the issue and support freedom and liberty. This is the mindset that feeds true, liberal thought.
There is one final difference between my views and those of Mr. Nomey. He claims that the liberals who complain “sure as hell don’t” deserve freedom. But even with your misguided political opinions, I still believe that you are just as deserving of liberty as anyone else.
 
Adam Maillet
Sophomore
English Literature