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| Relationship article nice change in paper |
To the Editor:
This is in response to Ms. Stewart and Ms. Burch’s
letter to the editor (Nov. 4) concerning the piece titled
“The Ups and Downs of Relationships.” I wanted
to offer a different point of view. I enjoyed this piece
and I commend Mr. DeLury and Ms. Nordstrand for their writing
of this piece. It was humorous and light-hearted. Oh, and
if I’m “bitter” simply because I related
with some of the opinions in the article, or because I do
not have a significant other, then so be it. Bitter or not,
it was definitely a nice change for The Appalachian.
Erin L. Bradley (single AND happy)
Junior, Major
eb48401@appstate.edu
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| Do not attack other people's opinions |
To the Editor:
So telling the other side of the story is now warping minds,
at least this is the attitude your “reporter”
took in opposition to Mr. Barrick’s visit in Thursday’s
paper. Republicans have been denied an opportunity to speak
by the university many times while they gladly pay thousands
of dollars for speeches by socialist party officials like
Barbara Ehrenreich.
Your “Left side of the page” called her book
a must read, and said she must be listened to. When somebody
finally provided (at no cost) another point of view, we’re
urged by you to not believe them, please. It’s amazing
to compare them, and look at the blatant hypocrisy. You talk
about diversity, but when somebody has an opinion that doesn’t
fit the desired worldview. They’re called an evil mind
warping fiend like some comic book supervillian.
Students could wait for the university administration to
present both sides. But can our minds survive this obvious
bias that long? I know that eliminating this bias is a big
job, but we should make this university a place where differences
of opinion are accepted, not attacked.
Justin Moore
Junior, Political Science
jm48766@appstate.edu
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| Rasimas made assumption in column |
To the Editor:
I attended the meeting Leslie Rasimas spoke of in her latest
excuse for an op-ed piece (Barrick warps minds of College
Republicans. Nov. 6). For the record, I actually consider
myself an Independent who tends to lean conservative on most
issues and liberal on a few. However, I do attend the occasional
College Republicans meeting.
Ms. Rasimas’ latest editorial is flawed in the same
way as most of her previous ones also are: her great ability
to make flat-out assumptions.
I sat across the room from a friend during Mr. Barrick’s
presentation and we exchanged disappointed and frustrated
expressions the entire time.
I had never heard his agenda before this meeting and don’t
consider him an ideal representation of the Republican party.
In layman’s terms: I don’t endorse Mr. Barrick.
However, Ms. Rasima’s article left me with the same
sour taste in my mouth. Her most blatant assumptions? Suggesting
that Barrick administer’s tests until a D+ grade is
receieved, suggesting his book to be inappropriate and “politically
correct” (uh oh ! the PC police at it again),that he
wants “religion-packed” school systems, and that
he “seduced” his listeners (an attempt to smear
the CRs as sheep, yes?). I don’t believe Barrick to
be suave enough to “seduce” a rock, so let’s
get real: You’ve produced yet another half-truth of
an opinion article. I agreed with a few of his ideas and
you make a couple of good points in your article, but blatantly
taking many of Mr. Barrick’s comments out of context
was equally as misleading as his presentation was.
I think you two would get along great. Pot meet kettle.
Ryan Richards
Sophomore, Journalism
Jr55399@appstate.edu
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| First Amendment not a right to destroy
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To the Editor:
In response to Eric Mathis’ letter of propaganda to
the editor I have a few points to make in return. First of
all, the lovely First Amendment has its limitations. And
yes, I know you didn’t mention it or quote it, but
I can see you doing so. It does not grant you the right to
violate, deface, and destroy whatever you want all in the
name of free speech. Our campus has set up areas of free
speech and any kind of spray painting, chalk work, inking,
etc. found outside of these areas is vandalism, plain and
simple. Do you have a car Mr. Mathis? Would I simply be performing
some sort of “civil disobedience” if I spray
painted a political slogan across the hood? How about your
parents’ house? Can I go chalk up their driveway or
paint on their front door? After all, that would just be
a valid form of revolution, according to you. And on a side
note, just as you’re opinions are protected, so are
Mr. Byrd’s.
And in closing, I love the way that anyone who has any respect
for laws, people’s property, or order is labled accused
of capitalist enslavery. But of course, I’ve noticed
another trend; those who speak out the most in support of
“free speech” and “First Ammendment Rights”
are also those who get the most angry when anything is written,
said, or published that challenges them. Ironic.
Jonathan Ogilvie
Senior, Creative Writing
Jo51340@appstate.edu
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| Choice more important than drinking |
To the Editor:
As a student at Appalachian and a resident of Boone for nearly
four years I want to respond to the naive statements of Corwyn
Sergent and others who have commented on ABC 2004, the mixed
beverage referendum in Boone.
Here are some facts. Beer and wine contain as much alcohol
as liquor in standard servings. Police Departments in Huntersville,
Tarboro, Maggie Valley, Kernersville, and Dunn have experienced
no increase in DWI offenses since the Mixed Beverage referendum
was passed in their communities.
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This referendum is not just about students being able to
get “liquored up” as Sergent’s self-centered
views point out. It is about giving adults (21 and older)
the choice that constitutionally should be theirs and controlling
the abuse of liquor consumption that can result from today’s
brown bagging permits.
Furthermore, it will provide an economic boost in a community
highly reliant on the tourist industry and visitors to the
university. It is unfair for unknowing adult visitors not
to have a choice of a cocktail in addition to beer and wine
while on vacation. Local restaurants are required to buy
their liquor from the ABC store and the subsequent liquor
taxes then go back into our community. Boone will further
profit from the business that will stay in Boone to dine
and lodge.
So open your mind, this referendum is not about drinking,
it’s about having a choice. And Corwyn for those of
us already 21 and older, vodka and Kool-Aid just doesn’t
cut it anymore.
Kristin Bunch
PO Box 22130
Senior, Business Management
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| Take time to enjoy the NC public art |
To the Editor:
As the peak of leaf season is coming to a close, the thousands
of tourists who flooded the mountains of Western North Carolina
are returning home.
The aesthetic beauty of nature was breathtaking this year,
and those appreciating this season were in no shortage.
What was in shortage, however, were the tourists coming to
our area to appreciate Western North Carolina as a community
instead of just an environment.
Yes, the many fall festivals in the area attracted newcomers;
however, the arts, the very breath of Western North Carolina,
to some extent, have been ignored.
As a college student at Appalachian State University, I saw
much of the public art being ignored within the county.
Even locals showed some disinterest as they ignored the events
that featured authors of excellent books about the history
of Western North Carolina and the multitudes of galleries
showcasing some exquisite art from around the area.
Agencies, such as the Watauga Arts Council in Watauga County
and MACA in McDowell County, offer several opportunities
for the public to appreciate some of the public art from
around the area and to learn a bit about the unique culture
of Western North Carolina.
The aesthetic beauty of Western North Carolina is indeed
breathtaking, but next year when you go out to gaze at the
scenery, take the time to enjoy some of the public art within
those areas as well.
Christina Kapely
Class, Major
Ck51317@appstate.edu
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| Columnist's opinion on TV on the money |
To the Editor:
I have to agree with Dusty Teng‚s message in the October
30 opinion article, “TV junkies miss out on life outside
the box.” Television (and media in general) is a huge
factor in the increasing laziness of Americans (and, as Teng
says, a factor in the increasing weight of Americans). It‚s
hard to believe that up until the last 40 years, human entertained
themselves in ways that didn‚t include staring at a
glowing box that displays the images of people that we will,
in all likeliness, never meet. Even today there are billions
of people in the world who do not have access to a television.
How do they spend their time? What would we as a nation do
if we had no TV? Instead of watching TV for the „averaging
seven hours of television viewing per day, we could be doing
something more worthwhile with our time. We could learn to
play an instrument or hang out with friends. We could do
volunteer work or go for a nature walk. We could learn about
problems in our community and spend time doing something
about them instead of just whining about it. Our campus and
surrounding community provides many opportunities for activism
and service. We don‚t have to wait for others to tell
us what to do, and we don‚t have to live our lives
through the screen of a TV. For more information, see http://www.turnoffyourtv.com
or the ACT office to find out how you can get involved.
Andrea Kelsey
Senior
AK43356@appstate.edu
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