Media can”t force American opinions
I am appalled at the apparent bias of the “liberal” media in this country. I recently learned an interesting fact about one of the Democratic presidential candidates, a fact that is making me take a closer look at my choices. Dennis Kucinich, whom the press has dismissed as unable to win, has, based on data from the Center for Responsive Research, received the second largest amount of donations from small donors. Small donations are defined as amounting to less than $200 per individual.
Although that may seem like an insignificant fact, it is not. To be the top recipient of the most small donations, aside from Dean, is a big deal. This fact shows that there is a large number of supporters for this candidate.
Why is the press not reporting this?
Another interesting and unfortunately well known but ignored fact: One caucus and one primary seem to have decided the top candidates.
There are 48 more states that still must weigh-in with their opinions. Yet the media has taken these top candidates and focused entirely on them because of two pre-elections, pre-elections held in states that are not demographically or otherwise representative of the entire nation.
I find it interesting that the press has such complete control over our choices as citizens and decides on its own who to support. I discovered the above facts on Tuesday, January 27, and have not heard a peep about it from any media outlet.
This has caused me to feel a little more disillusioned with our “free information” society and democracy.
It’s disconcerting to believe that a few media conglomerates can pick and choose who will be the “likely leaders” of our nation. I would hope that our “fourth branch of government’ would be more vigilant and cautious in this all-important matter of citizenship.
Misti Schmidt
Alumna
Philosophy & English
Students: learn to catch the bus
Hey people with the parking problems: learn to catch the bus! Now I know that not everyone lives on the bus route, but for those who do — like everyone in Tigerland, should ride the bus.
Yeah, it may take an extra ten minutes to stand and wait for it, but think about it. If you compare the ten minutes you wait for the bus plus the 10 minute drive to school [20 minutes total] to the ten minute drive to school in your car (plus cost of gas), 15 minute drive around the parking lot looking for a spot (more gas) and the 10 minute walk to class [30 minutes total, plus cost of gas and aggravation], you should realize that the bus is more efficient as far as time and money goes.
You already pay a bus fee each semester anyway. I challenge all you complaining about the parking problem that live on the bus line to just try the bus a couple of times. I”m telling you, when I lived in Tigerland, I rode it every single day that I could. My car sat in my driveway nearly every day during the week because I never had to drive it to school.
I saved tons of time and gas money, not to mention the aggravation of the parking problem at LSU.
Now, I’m not a University employee with a plan to magically solve the parking problem, I”m just a regular student who goes to class every day just like most students, but I think that if those people who could ride the bus, did just that, then there would be enough parking for those people who actually need the spots on a daily basis.
Lauren Dorgant
Senior
Dietetics
Jackson, P. Diddy not ‘musicians’
Amen to J. Colin Trisler! The problem with the halftime show this year was not merely Janet Jackson flashing the world. The problem was the entire collection of misnamed “musicians” that performed.
I’m ashamed to be a part of a generation who can make Nelly, Justin Timberlake, or “P. Diddy” a best selling “artist.”
Let me first get a few misnomers corrected. Nelly and P. Diddy are not “artists.” They are rappers. And no one on that stage was a “musician.”
The last time I checked, grabbing your crotch was not a musical talent, nor was groping a fellow performer.
I grew up listening to music that had messages or principles and a certain amount of respect for other people. I don’t consider music with the lyrics “I’ll have you naked” and require an extravagant stage act to be art.
It’s lacking the principles that Trisler correctly pointed out to be necessary.
And while some people may not like every artist with principles, ideals, (or even just the common sense not to pull such a ridiculous publicity stunt) you can at least respect them.
The people who performed at the Super Bowl deserve no respect. Especially for “Ms. Jackson,” Justin, and Kid Rock (who felt the need to slice a flag and wear as a tunic).
Jennifer Neubauer
Sophomore
Mass Communication
BET show not reinforcing stereotype
I am writing in response to comments in the article concerning the reactions of students about BET’s “College Hill.’
I’m an African American, and I don’t think that the show is a direct attack on the black community.
For one, people already have preconceived notions that African Americans are hot-headed. I think that “College Hill” is no different than MTV’s Real World.
They both are showing the most outrageous footage that they know will keep viewer’s attention.
I agree with Expose’s comment that “College Hill” is a low budget production, but I think that’s the only difference between “Real World” and ” College Hill”.
Secondly, I don’t believe the show adds to the negative stereotype of blacks as dramatic, promiscuous and having bad attitudes.
If you look at “Real World”, each season the show premiers its always the caucasians on the first night jumping in the hot tub, getting sexual, and boozed up. Do we comment that their actions are promiscuous or add to stereotypes of whites as drunks and nymphomaniacs?
I think both “The Real World” and “College Hill” are trying to display the preconceptions that today”s young people in general are sex crazed and lack morals.
Erlanger Turner
Senior
Psychology
Laptops not essential to education
I am concerned about the resolution to require LSU students to purchase laptops.
First of all I do not really see the necessity of the proposal.
There has only been one class I have taken in my 4 years at LSU, in which we needed to use computers in the classroom. For this purpose we are using a classroom outfitted with computers.
None of my other classes required or would have even benefitted from this technology. I admit that on occasion I have enviously stared at the students with laptops playing solitaire and minesweeper during lectures and wished that I too possessed such capabilities.
I already have a personal computer, which I use for the purposes of writing papers and relaying e-mail. Even if I owned a laptop I would still prefer to write my notes on paper.
I can understand that certain classes might benefit from this, but I don’t see what real benefits the student body as a whole will receive from being forced to purchase these instruments. All I see is instead of a classroom full of students taking notes in a notebook; there will be a classroom full of students taking notes on a computer.
My point is that like Priceline commercials there is no real difference, except that one is paying more. If they can actually come up with a way to supply the entire student population with laptops at extremely low prices, then it becomes more appealing.
I only hope that whatever deal the administration makes with these “large companies” to ensure low prices is better than the one made with the campus bookstore.
Margaret Marie Guidry
Senior
Political Science
President Bush”s January 20th State of the Union Address did not create an accurate sense of our humanitarian achievements in Afghanistan.
He applauded Afghans for their newly ratified constitution. According to the White House website (www.whitehouse.org), the constitution ‘provides equal status for men and women,’ and ‘encourages tolerance.’
However, the term ‘citizen’ is not adequately defined in the document. Many human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, fear that this vagueness may allow for discrimination against women.
Our own country struggled with the concept of citizenship including all men and women, not just white, male property owners.
For a country haunted by continued oppression and intolerance, a clear definition of citizenship is necessary for a truly free and equal society.
ÊÊÊÊÊBush argues that there will be ‘full participation of women,’ but this is simply untrue under current conditions. Many women are restricted by their husbands or male relatives from participating in community activities.
Domestic violence is not criminalized, and is epidemic throughout the country. In November of 2003, a dormant 1970s law prohibiting married women from attending school was revived. President Bush also mentioned ‘the boys and girls of Afghanistan are back in school.’
He did not elaborate they were in separate, gender-segregated schools. How do any of these facts support President Bush”s four sentence diagnosis of the ailing country?
President Bush closed his brief summary of our status in Afghanistan by saying, ‘the men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free, and proud, and fighting terror — and America is honored to be their friend.’
As friends, we should assess our relationship with Afghanistan accurately and honestly. We should continue to provide the support necessary to rehabilitate Afghanistan fully, so that every person in its borders will know freedom.
Lynn Stevens
Freshman
English
Still work to be done in Afghanistan
President Bush”s January 20th State of the Union Address did not create an accurate sense of our humanitarian achievements in Afghanistan.
He applauded Afghans for their newly ratified constitution. According to the White House website (www.whitehouse.org), the constitution ‘provides equal status for men and women,’ and ‘encourages tolerance.’
However, the term ‘citizen’ is not adequately defined in the document. Many human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, fear that this vagueness may allow for discrimination against women.
Our own country struggled with the concept of citizenship including all men and women, not just white, male property owners.
For a country haunted by continued oppression and intolerance, a clear definition of citizenship is necessary for a truly free and equal society.
ÊÊÊÊÊBush argues that there will be ‘full participation of women,’ but this is simply untrue under current conditions. Many women are restricted by their husbands or male relatives from participating in community activities.
Domestic violence is not criminalized, and is epidemic throughout the country. In November of 2003, a dormant 1970s law prohibiting married women from attending school was revived. President Bush also mentioned ‘the boys and girls of Afghanistan are back in school.’
He did not elaborate they were in separate, gender-segregated schools. How do any of these facts support President Bush”s four sentence diagnosis of the ailing country?
President Bush closed his brief summary of our status in Afghanistan by saying, ‘the men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free, and proud, and fighting terror — and America is honored to be their friend.’
As friends, we should assess our relationship with Afghanistan accurately and honestly. We should continue to provide the support necessary to rehabilitate Afghanistan fully, so that every person in its borders will know freedom.
Lynn Stevens
Freshman
English