LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Over the past nine and half years on this campus, I have worked with numerous student groups each excellent in their own way. But Friday night
the bar of excellence was raised when I had the honor and privilege of
watching you orchestrate an event that brought laughter and tears to all
those in attendance. You did it not for accolades, not for your parent’s
approval, not for a grade, but you did it because you believed in a cause.
Cancer affects us all in some way directly or indirectly and as a group you
sent a message that you care. Please know that you proved that college
students are responsible and dependable.
My wish was that the administration could have seen you in action at 3:30 a.m. having an enjoyable evening and morning without the crutch of alcohol and drugs. You all will succeed in life because of the type of person you each are. Your families can be extremely proud of the commitment you have made to be an example of what college life can and should be about.
I was only an observer, nothing else, yet I left that Saturday morning with pride and admiration for the group as a whole. For that event took a team effort with great leadership. Trey and Matt you could lead a country into battle. Sarah, you will be the first woman president. And Jonathan, you
will probably be Sarah’s vice-president! And to Flynn, and Marcy and Brad
and Meredith my love and admiration for finding your role and doing it
without complaints and doing it perfectly. I know I haven’t named you all,
but never doubt how much I appreciate you all and what you did to make this
event one that this University should stand proud and say “This Is LSU.”
My love to you all.
Wanda Hargroder
Advisor — Up ’til Dawn
I was just browsing through the “Daily Activity Listing” for the Union, what I failed to see was an entry phrased, “Rabid ‘Christian’ Preachers threatening students with Bibles today and every day in Free Speech Alley.” Lately, I have found that such a statement would be an apt description of the activities taking place. Where does the line between harassment and free speech lie?
While threatening students with eternal damnation for being followers of such religions as Islam, Catholicism and Mormonism, these zealots share their extensive knowledge of fornication and other such perverse subjects with the student population. But I have never once passed the Muslim Student Association in the Union and had one of their male members bring up fornication in my presence. I find it interesting that these persons, whom I would assume were against sex education in public schools, have become so dedicated to the cause, as to take it upon themselves to educate the public. And I must admit that they seem to know more about and are more concerned with fornicating than many of the students I have spoken with. I also think that the students themselves might be in a better position to know whether or not any fornication is taking place, which might or might not effect their future lodgings. I think that a great part of the problem is the fact that students are paying them any attention at all. I see throngs of students arguing with these people every day, and I think the fact that they do so only encourages such crude behavior. I for one will follow my roommate’s advice and if they ask me whether I have Jesus in my life I will simply reply, “No, I gave that up for Lent.”
Margaret M. Guidry
Sophomore — English
I watched with keen interest as the story unfolded detailing the events that have been taking place in free speech alley. Fellow students, you’re playing the game all wrong. The people preaching and passing out literature believe that confronted in the manner in which they have been is “suffering for Jesus”, Philippians 1:29 “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but to also suffer for His sake;” They arrive on campus with the preconceived notion that all students are doomed to hell for their lifestyle. Arguing with them is what they expect. Instead of arguing, when you pass by try this:1) instead of a clinched, angry fist, wave and smile. 2) Accept their literature, or better still say, “I’m a believer”. In saying this you aren’t agreeing with their preaching just saying you believe in something. They don’t know what that something is but assume its what they are saying. Psalm 15:1 “ A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.”
Patricia Borskey
Senior — Horticulture
In last Friday’s Reveille there was a letter to the editor by Geoffrey Plauche’ regarding clarifying AHA. I agree that the Reveille ought to get the facts straight when they present organizations on campus, and I believe that they are doing that. However, what concerned me was a comment by Mr. Plauche’. He stated that “A dogma is a set of beliefs accepted on faith; in other words, without rational justification or against rational evidence. I know this does not apply to my own stance as an atheist, which is based upon knowledge of this world acquired by applying logic to experience.”
First Mr. Plauche, the correct definition of Atheism is “Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God”. In other words, you do believe, just not what a person who believes in God does. As far as this evidence, I know
that there are people out there who will say exactly what you did except that from their experience, logic and rational evidence they believe God is out there. You have all the right in the world to have your opinion, that
was a gift of the God you don’t believe in. However, for you to say that you don’t have faith is ignorant, you can’t prove that God doesn’t exist just like I can’t prove without a shadow of a doubt that God does exist.
The difference is that I’m not scared to say that I have faith in the existence of God, but you appear to be afraid to have faith in what that you don’t believe in. Atheism is just as much a jump of faith as any religion and to think otherwise is to kind one’s self. If man could prove and comprehend the existence of God, then he wouldn’t be much of a God would he. So to close, I would challenge everyone to be more careful. We
don’t know the truth of what’s out there but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look, and when we don’t find an absolute answer faith isn’t the bad thing that Mr. Plauche’ portrayed it to be.
Michael Tipton
Freshman – Political Science & History
The other day, I was walking through campus behind two people talking about a column in the Reveille about the increase of tuition. They were upset about the $75 technology fee. I believe that an extra 75 dollars towards bettering this school is worth it. Even if the money doesn’t go towards something that will benefit me directly, it is still well worth it.
For example, my roommate and I are both lucky enough to own a computer. Some students, and even teachers, are not as lucky. If people do not have their own computer, they can easily access one in the library, the Union, and in every dorm on campus. This makes me comfortable to go to this school. If my computer ever crashes, or my printer ever breaks down, I know I have somewhere else to go the night before a five page, double-spaced, typed essay is due. We should keep this technology fee for
all students and teachers to have access to campus computers, and also, for all to be comfortable.
Jessica Conrad
Freshman — Mass Communication