Leadership edition neglected ROTC
In Wednesday’s issue of The Reveille, there was a special about leadership in different areas of the campus. But sadly, The Reveille’s staff overlooked a group of some of the best, if not the best, leaders on campus — Army and Air Force ROTC. Sure, cadets aren’t as obvious since they don’t affect campus life as much as, say, Student Government, but if you want to talk about leadership in and of itself, it doesn’t get much better than ROTC. After all, how else can one get the soon-to-be-approved (word has it) minor known as “Professional Leadership”?
If any student in an organization is feeling down because of a lack of leadership, just stop by the Military Science-Aerospace Studies Building — especially those who are not part of the 25 elite students who are selected every year for the Leadership LSU program. I haven’t gone through Leadership LSU, but I’d bet good money that one semester of ROTC would put these weekend retreats to shame. But why stop there when you can take up to four semesters and not owe any service time to the military?
To lead people in an office environment is one thing, but to lead people well enough to where they still will look to you for guidance while in battle takes something special. Don’t get me wrong; I’m sure there are plenty of good leaders elsewhere. But for The Reveille to leave out the organizations, one whose seal reads “LEADERSHIP – EXCELLENCE,” is a gross misrepresentation.
Joseph Morel
Junior — Political Science and International Studies
Fact: Landrieu a better candidate
Republicans say there is something about Mary Landrieu.
“She lives in Washington, D.C.,” they say. They are correct; she does live in Washington because that is where she needs to be to represent the people of Louisiana.
So why are the Republicans so upset about this? That is a very good question. So what is a Senator supposed to do? She is supposed to represent her state and help to secure a better now and a better future for her state. Mary Landrieu has and is doing this. Her record stands as the truth. Pay attention to television ads and letters to the editor that criticize Mary Landrieu and ask yourself if the criticisms are valid and PERTINENT.
I hope people will pay attention to facts and not fiction about Mary Landrieu.
Fact: Mary Landrieu has stood up for the state of Louisiana.
Fact: Mary Landrieu has secured millions of dollars for the state of Louisiana.
Fact: If re-elected, Mary will continue to stand up for Louisiana.
The rest “about Mary” is fiction.
Benjamin Crawford
Freshman — English
Spread kindness in student’s memory
Friday, Nov. 29, the LSU community lost another student when Lizette Matens Sullivan died of cancer. I was privileged to be her friend and experience her caring nature. Lizette had a genuine concern for making the lives of others better through her tireless volunteer efforts. She enrolled as a graduate student in the School of Social Work, despite the low chance of surviving her type of liver cancer, because she still had the ability and drive to help others less fortunate than herself.
I struggle to understand why someone so optimistic and giving of herself must die so young but will do my best to share her legacy of kindness and compassion. I ask everyone who reads this letter to purposefully be courteous to others around campus and in the wider community starting today. Hold open a door, drive calmly, keep your phone conversation low as you walk the Quad; then tomorrow take a gift to the Giving Tree or put money in the Salvation Army kettle. Next week promise to volunteer one hour a week for a cause you believe in; next month make it two hours a week.
Lizette no longer can take up the slack for those of us who don’t do our share. Please honor her memory and that of Christine Moore’s, another grad student in the School of Social Work whose life ended far too soon, by helping those around you.
Denise Porter
Senior — Economics
Let’s stay positive, despite finals
I would like to thank Jeff Kurtz for writing the column “Lucky to be alive this dead week.”
I have been pulling the hair out of my “goatee” this week worrying about my first ever week of finals. It seems I have wasted a week of my life by letting myself have such a bad week. I ruined my boyfriend’s birthday Sunday by being a grumpy old hag on the only day in his life that he will ever turn 20 years old.
But I will not sulk because my week was so horrible. I simply will make the rest of my week a success by taking the time to learn something from my finals.
It’s also wonderful to see that in this world, despite all of the bad things, there is beauty that will always last.
Thank you, Jeff.
Ginger Zeringue
Freshman — Mass Communication
From the editor
Thank you to everyone who wrote letters to the editor this semester. Remember — today is the last day to submit letters to the editor for the fall semester. (So if you want to get it off your chest, do it now.) E-mail letters to [email protected]. They should be 350 words or less.