Laptops a financial burden
I am writing in regards to the “Editor’s View” in last Wednesday’s Reveille.
Your cautious, gentle editorial on the requirements of laptops for freshmen does nothing to reassure those of us who are, or will be, working to put ourselves through school.
I am a re-entering student, fresh with fear from the non-degreed working world. I am working to pay the costs of living, like food, shelter and heat, in addition to tuition and books.
I already have a home computer which works quite well. I fail to see the need for laptops when computers are so pervasive throughout student culture, as well as so accessible in computer labs on campus.
Despite your optimistic outlook, Dell and many other mass manufacturers of laptops are still in business, and business means making profits.
Even “affordable” laptops are still out of reach for many people.
Not to mention that many families are sending multiple children to college. What sort of strain would that put on a family in a shaky economy, that likely already has mounds of credit debt?
For those of us who have to work to put clothes on our backs, food in our mouths, and books in our hands, the laptop requirement is yet another heavy stone around our necks.
Don’t even consider putting another burden on those who are working so hard to improve their lot in life.
Erin Walden
Freshman
Mass Communication, English
Park farther away; help your diet
I am so sick and tired of complaints about LSU parking.
When I read the Reveille, I always see people complaining about not finding parking spots.
In relative to the complaints, I have two suggestions.
The first one is to go to school early. If it takes them twenty minutes to find a parking spot, then go to school twenty minutes early. There are enough parking spots for everyone at LSU.
The complaints are that people cannot find parking spots where they desire. That is why they are complaining, which brings about my second suggestion: don’t minimize your choices of where to park.
Park your vehicle away from other congested parking lots. This way, you may complain about how long you have to walk to class. This brings about another solution to something that many people complain about, dieting!
As we see on television, the media make dieting an important issue in America. Eating the right food and exercise is the best way to be healthy. You don’t have to do vigorous exercise. Walking is good. Start a little walking exercise by parking farther and walk to class. See the benefits?
Instead of complaining, try to find other ways we can solve the problem.
Michelle Tai
Freshman
Chemical Engineering
Jimmy Swaggart not as columnist suggests
I’m writing in reference to Hannah Anderson’s column on Thursday in which she decided to bash a man who has done more to help people than she could ever dream of (Jimmy Swaggart).
She has a right to her opinion, but when she starts to rip a man for having some sense of morals she is way out of bounds. Yes, Jimmy Swaggart has made mistakes. Find someone who hasn’t.
It also takes a strong man to admit the mistake and stand up to preach the truth while many laugh at him. He stood for something, and messed up.
But he still stands for something. Does the fact that someone made mistakes negate the truth that they preach?
That truth was there before Jimmy Swaggart and will be there after him. Millions of people throughout the world have had their lives changed as a result of his ministry.
As for “no one is listening,” Jimmy Swaggart is now on at least 40 radio stations throughout the country and is also on BET every Sunday. There are a lot of people listening.
Jeremy George
Junior
History
Higher Education Act counterproductive
The LSU branch of Students for Sensible Drug Policies is to be commended for raising awareness of the Higher Education Act’s denial of student loans to youth convicted of drug offenses.
Instead of empowering at-risk students with a college degree, HEA limits career opportunities and increases the likelihood that those affected will resort to crime. Speaking of crime, convicted rapists and murders are still eligible for federal student loans.
Most students outgrow their youthful indiscretions involving illicit drugs. An arrest and criminal record, on the other hand, can be life-shattering.
After admitting to smoking pot (but not inhaling), former President Bill Clinton opened himself up to “soft on drugs” criticism. And thousands of Americans have paid the price in the form of shattered lives.
More Americans went to prison or jail during the Clinton administration than during any past administration.
As an admitted former drinker and alleged illicit drug user, President George W. Bush is also vulnerable when it comes to drugs.
While youthful indiscretions didn’t stop Clinton or Bush from assuming leadership positions, an arrest surely would have. The short-term effects of marijuana are inconsequential compared to the long-term effects of criminal records.
Students who want to help end the intergenerational culture war otherwise known as the war on drugs should contact Students for Sensible Drug Policy at www.ssdp.org.
Robert Sharpe, MPA
Policy Analyst
Common Sense for Drug Policy
Recording a CD does not make an artist
After reading Mr. Mann’s letter in Friday’s Reveille, I found myself disgusted by his examples of “artistic music”.      
I grow so tired of hearing entertainment acts referred to as “artists”.
Some music is artistic in nature while other music’s objective is merely to entertain. I don’t understand how you can equate the pre-packaged, superficial, entertainment Puff Daddy, Kid Rock, or Justin Timberlake with the music of true artists such as Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Mozart, or Louis Armstrong.
Simply recording sounds onto a CD does not make one an artist. Art is self indulgent. Real artists do not care if their record sells, because it holds significance for them and is a means for expression. My intent is not to diminish the value of entertainment, but merely to place it in perspective.
     If the entertainers at the Super Bowl are so artistic and talented, why must they rely on gimmicks to sell their records?
Charley Silvio
Freshman
Accounting