Music enthusiast responds to letter
Mrs. Neubauer, while I agree with your disgust with the Super-Bowl half-time show, I still respect the musical talents that were there. You say you listen to songs with a message. Then have you ever picked up a P. Diddy or Kid Rock CD?
I suggest you listen to “Only God Knows Why” by Kid Rock or “I’ll be Missing You” by Puffy Daddy. Those songs have very powerful messages in them; if you ever care to listen. Music is an art-form whether you like it or not.
Those musicians are artists no matter if they sing about the strange girl they were with the night before or if they have the meaning of life in their songs. I never sung before but I was, however, in band and we were artist there; It take a natural ability to sing or to play an instrument.
Music expresses feeling and emotions of the musicians. Sometimes it is the only way for them to get through their trouble. Take P. Diddy, for example, when he was dealing with the death of his best friend on the “No Way Out” CD it is a very emotional cd in which he was expressing his sorrow through his songs.
As for the performance on stage, while disgraceful, it was a good performance. The risque’ dancing and crotch-grabbing is only a way to get the audience’s attention.
I do not know if you know this but mos people leave during the half-time show, and if dancing risque’ or grabbing their crotches is a way to get the audience’s attention then they will do it.
It is a way to let people hear their music, and God forbid sell more CDs.
Marcus Mann
Sophomore
Mathematics
Gays and Lesbians deserve marriage
Before I start my rant, I would like to say that this is solely my opinion and I admit there is a possibility I might be wrong.
In recent days, the Supreme Court of Massachusetts declared that Gay and Lesbian couples have the constitutional right to the full rights of marriage. I am certain that many people will object to this as a moral travesty. I am not one of them.
I believe that Gay and Lesbian couples have the right to marry and I ask anyone to give me a valid reason why they shouldn’t that does not involve religious conviction and that does not cite that the sole purpose of marriage is to reproduce.
In regards to religion, I find it ignorant for a person to attempt to say that they understand the values and meaning of an ancient culture’s sexual dogma and the reasons they developed, moreover apply that to the modern day. Asinine attempts to “speak” for a higher being are pointless because no one knows his mind and no amount of reading will change that.
I find it funny that after a world-altering war that some, not all, people have the “courage” to hide behind an illusion of morality that was lacking when it was actually needed. Also, while reproduction can be one of the motives behind marriage, I feel that companionship is more important.
How can anyone have the gall to say a Gay couple’s love is not as pure as a heterosexual couple? No one does.
I am going to be bold for just a second and say that not only is Gay and Lesbian marriage a good thing but it is a just cause.
Being gay is not some sort a deviant behavior or lifestyle choice. It, like all things natural, simply is natural. I feel that anyone who believes that all people have a right to be free in this nation should support the queer community’s right to marry and live their lives in peace.
In the mean time, those who disagree may try and pass all the constitutional amendments defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman that they see fit. The bottom line is that Gays and Lesbians will have the right to marry in this nation soon.
No one should be forced to live on the fringes of society. Everyone is, of course, entitled to their opinion but that whole equal rights and protection under the law thing might prove a stumbling block to any dissenting opinions.
Then again, I might be wrong. I’ll sit here with my girlfriend and see what develops.
Whatever happened to “to each their own” and ”live and let die?”
Nick Mitchell
Junior
History
Baton Rouge resident addresses drug war
America has been fighting the “drug war” (a war against its own citizens) for over 70 years now.
The drug war has hypocritically terrorized and incarcerated millions of Americans.
Most rich and connected people that use drugs go on without any criminal record.
The poor and disconnected get their lives torn apart and are often times imprisoned.
Drugs are not inherently good or bad. Those who use drugs are certainly not criminals unless they harm others or another’s property.
Our government’s prohibition of certain drugs has created an unregulated black market in which any man, woman or child may participate.
Many adults use these now “illegal” substances and go on to live perfectly normal lives.
Presidents, along with many other politicians and prominent members of our society, have admitted to using some of the very substances that are currently illegal.
So you see, the demand is always going to be there by adults who, for the most part, use them responsibly.
Our criminal law should be reserved for those who sell to minors and for those who use these substances irresponsibly by harming others or others’ property.
But we have no such control over the current market for “illicit” drugs.
Before the 1930s we did have control over these substances.
Then, for political and bigoted reasons, certain substances were criminalized. Then began our disrespect for government and law enforcement.
We tried prohibition in dealing with alcohol. The results of that “noble experiment” were making Al Capone a rich man and corrupting our government, law enforcement and judiciary along the way.
Sound familiar?
So, until we remove the black market aspect from our current illegal market, i.e. legal regulation, we will continue to see the crime, corruption, death and disease associated with prohibition rise.
I urge citizens to contact their representatives and let them know that we demand social and healthcare solutions for those who have problems with drug use and not criminal justice solutions that leave the user and society in an ever digressing disaster.
Scott Russ
Baton Rouge Resident