War coverage disappoints student
I am writing in response to the coverage that has been given by The Reveille to events in Iraq. Whether people are for or against the war, each day that passes directly or indirectly impacts everyone’s life. I was very disappointed to pick up The Reveille this morning and see that not one story had been done on the events that occurred yesterday.
Yesterday morning I sat in the Union with many others and watched as some of the Iraqi people with the help of our Marines pulled down the statue of Saddam Hussein. This event, as well as many others, is one that will be of great historical significance in the future. As United States citizens we should be somewhat concerned about events that our fellow Americans are taking part in. I know discussions of this war can cause a conflict of opinions, and I am not implying that war news should be on the front page every day (it hardly ever is). I just would like to see a little more than a small excerpt on the second page submitted by the Associated Press.
Leanna Becnel
Freshman — Agriculture Education
The Reveille’s bias hits all-time high
This morning (4/10/03) when I catatonically grabbed the Reveille after my 7:30 a.m. class, I opened it and read the headlines: stories about the Student Government elections, the forensic lab and a forum on slavery reparations. Forget the fact on the other half of the globe our peers are celebrating the end the dictatorship of a man who will be recorded in history with the likes of Ceausescu and Pol Pot, but slavery reparations is a front page story. Given the Reveille’s coverage of the war and now this, an issue that less than 10 percent of the country thinks is a good idea: It makes me wonder if your staff is even trying for equitable coverage of both sides.
Dealing with the reparations story specifically, I did not go to the forum but I do not think that I would have been welcomed given my views on the subject anyway. In the article, not one anti-reparations viewpoint was quoted. That might be because the African American Cultural Center did not bother to find one or the Reveille did not bother to report one; either is possible. A newspaper that is the primary source of print news information for thousands of students should at least have the decency to either get information from the anti-reparations panelist or, if there was none, to point that out.
I realize a liberal bias is expected on a college campus and especially in its newspaper. That is understood, and I don’t expect anything more. However, I do expect an attempt to highlight both sides of the issue, even if it is done feebly.
Andrew Whitley
Sophomore — Philosophy
Lack of war focus ‘flat out stinks’
Your coverage of the war in Iraq just flat out stinks. You are a newspaper. You need to report on what’s important whether it’s local or a world event. Yesterday, one of the biggest symbolic events happened in the bringing down of the Saddam statue in the middle of Baghdad. What do you print? A stupid student election that means nothing to 90 percent of the campus. People from our campus are fighting to free people at the very moment I am writing this letter, but you would rather reassure the campus that Empower has won. Way to drop the ball. I have no respect for you as an editor. Ever since the war has started the front page has been full of things that don’t mean a thing to people on this campus. Have some respect for those fighting for the rights of people and report on their actions. We have friends and family members over there right now. I can’t see how this is not important to you as a paper that informs LSU students. I am ashamed that my money goes to support such a paper. It makes me sick.
Chris Pearson
Senior — Chemical Engineering
Online voting would improve SG
On April 9, runoff elections for Student Government were held. A week ago in the general election, most of the voting locations were crowded. Our new computerized system required much more time for one person to vote. Waits were as long as 45 minutes in some places. Something had to be changed.
The Office of Computing Services allowed us to use an additional 40 computers Wednesday to help the problem. Most of the day Wednesday was cold. There were not very many people outdoors, and there were barely any lines the entire day. Poll workers were bored by the end of the day. At no point in time were we busy. We were of the opinion that our voter turnout would be barely more than 1,500 people. As it turned out … more than 2,700 people voted during the day. That number was 600 more than the week before and almost 100 more than the 2002 Spring Election.
Last year, with voting machines, election day needed well more than 50 volunteers for the entire day. Wednesday we did the job with 10. Our numbers went up 600 votes with 40 extra computers. How much higher could they go if we added a few thousand more? How many of you reading this who didn’t vote would vote if you could do it from your home computer?
Your Senate will be voting on a bill to change our Student Government elections to online from any location. On Wednesday, 2,700 people voted, just more than eight percent of the student body. Student Government cannot call itself an organization that represents the entire LSU population when so few are selecting them. This new system would give more students the opportunity to choose their leaders.
If you believe, as we do, that this would change the election process for the better, we urge you to write to your senators, write to The Reveille and voice your opinion at the next Senate meeting after Spring Break. We want this to be a final way we as members of Student Government can improve student life at LSU before we graduate. Thank You.
Zachary Howser — Commissioner of Elections
Guy Pyrzak — Director of Information Technologies
Melody Wells — Arts and Sciences Senator
Media should not censor reality
In response to the two women who oppose the media’s graphic content:
The media’s job is to report the facts, not to sugarcoat the gruesome realities of the world in order to make us feel better. Why should we, as Americans, not be exposed to these pictures? The citizens of Iraq do not have such a privilege. This war is being fought in their own country, in front of their eyes and the eyes of their children.
When we pick up a newspaper or turn on the news, we expect to read and see the truth — and with the exception of a few unethical or biased journalists and photographers, we do. The media cannot be blamed for the graphic content that makes up this world, but rather should be lauded for responsibly relaying that information to the public.
Christine Hagius
Freshman — Psychology
Don’t blame fears on the University
I am a resident of West Laville hall writing in response to the girl who was complaining about the 15 parking spots that are being used to clean and paint Acadian Hall.
Though you may feel that these 15 spots make a difference in your safety, they really don’t. On a regular day, most of these spots would be taken up by people who rarely move their cars. As someone who attempts to park in that exact lot almost every night, I can tell you it is impossible to get a spot there after 7 p.m. I am almost always forced to park across from the lake. So does it matter that the renovating crews take up these spots instead of the cars that would normally be stuck there?
Yes, I know a lot of girls may read this and think, “Oh my, I can’t believe he is saying this?!” But they would be wrong. I won’t even let my girlfriend cross the street without me, or someone I can trust. I would walk her home every night if I had to. But it is irrational to blame your concerns on the University. Yes, the work could have been done during Spring Break, but maybe it couldn’t have been scheduled then? And even then the work would drag on for weeks after the break.
But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe these spots should be available for our young ladies. In fact, why don’t we give every girl in a dorm a reserved spot in front? Why don’t we let girls schedule classes weeks before the guys so they have less of a chance of taking night courses?
Hundreds of girls who live in West Laville and Acadian have to walk long distances from their cars to their dorms each night, and there is nothing that can be done about it. All you can do is take it take it upon yourself to be safe. Don’t pass the blame to others.
Jonathan Loubiere
Freshman — Chemical Engineering