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1 I Page 10 The Blue Banner February 10, 2005 Opinion LCnERS TO THE EDITOR Gaining loyalty requires improvement I was thoroughly befuddled by the Opinion page in the first Blue Banner of this semester. Editor-In- Chief Kristen Ruggeri and UNCA alumnus Stuart Gaines offer elabo rate arguments concerning the paper’s recent criticism and “aban donment” by many in the UNCA community. That’s fair. The Blue Banner staff works very hard and have a right to be miffed about the competition from the Daily Planet. But one needs only to continue reading that page of the Banner in order to understand why readers are dissatisfied. Firstly, Ruggeri, who has previ ously proved herself to be a rea sonable, insightful commentator on political issues (even if I usual ly disagree with her), made the curious decision to use her consid erable skills to criticize Ashlee .Simpson’s “lip-synching ethics” (or something, to be perfectly hon est, I didn’t read the whole thing out of utter indifference). Now, I’m not saying that Ashlee Simpson’s performance on Saturday Night Live isn’t the most compelling piece of news to sur face since the last Blue Banner (that tsunami thing and those elec tions in Iraq were pretty minor), hut it’s moronic to extol your paper’s virtues and then write a fiuff piece about an untalented, bubble-gum pop princess on the siime page. Despite my disdain for her sub ject matter, Ruggeri’s column at least manages to be articulate. The same cannot be said for the coumn by Jonathon Czarny appearing (believe it or not) on the same page. Czarny is apparently upset that over-privileged, white conser vative students on campus are complaining about some things they don’t like about UNCA. Of course, we don’t know exactly what they’re complaining about, because these minor details are never provided. In this column, Czarny offers the bizarre claim that “Grade point average (GPA) has little to do with the ability to think.” Does the author really believe that most of the students on the Dean’s List can’t really think, and are there solely as the result of their ability to “manipulate an obsolete merit system?” For that matter, does Czarny even know what the word “obsolete” means? GPA is the sys tem used to measure academic per formance at nearly every post-sec ondary institution in the United States. It’s not exactly going out of style. In fact, the entire column serves as little more than a vague, ram bling complaint from an obviously liberal perspective. As a full- blooded liberal, I would like to request that Mr. Czarny either stop writing columns or go back to Language 120 and learn how to make a coherent argument, because he’s not helping our cause. Claiming all conservatives on campus have “nothing resem bling reason” is neither construc tive nor demonstrative of the open- mindedness we liberals are sup posed to embrace. The fact that the article is entitled “Take Advantage of the Freedom to Choose” demonstrates that no one on The Blue Banner staff could figure out what the ranting was all about. Obviously, I read the Blue Banner and will continue to do so, because it gives me an opportunity to learn what my fellow students have to say about the world and their university. I know many of the members of The Blue Banner staff, and I am sure that they have more significant and coherent insights than the columns I just mentioned. Td really like to read some of them. That’s how you increase interest in your paper. 32 years of slaughtering children? I pray that it will not. How can we continue to sleep at night with 4,(XX) children dying every day? Many say that abortion is no longer a relevant issue. Abortion is a new tragedy today because the babies who die today never died before. faster by walking straight from your dorm? I have only two more things to say: Thomas Messe, M.D. Online Reader Grolon, CT Joseph Telegen senior creative voriting student Abortion anniversary is nothing to celebrate Jan. 22 marked the 32nd anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision. Many in our country do not even know what that decision was about. Many live their lives each day ambivalent about the slaughter of the innocent in our nation’s abortion mills. What can we say about 32 years of abortion on demand? Is there any regret for the 45 million abort ed children? How many potential scientists, doctors, and leaders were aborted? I want our leaders to know that legalized abortion is unacceptable to a nation founded on certain inalienable rights: LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. For those who have never spoken out against abortion, I ask that they begin to attend pro-life events and support pro-life groups. All it takes for evil to succeed is for the good to say nothing. Will our nation endure another Are freshmen seriously complaining? I had hoped when I first read your article that I was sorely mis taken. But today’s reading only confirms my initial thoughts. Specifically, and I quote, “Too many times I have walked in two- inch heels, in the cold, up the steps and through the woods. All of this, just to get to my room. After a long day of classes and homework, all I want is just to relax.” Did I read that right? Let me get this straight. You walked from South Ridge or West Ridge in the morning to your car, drove it from the West Ridge parking deck all the way around and back on cam pus, where, presumably, you parked in a residential parking spot. If my memory serves me right, these spots are on the upper level of a parking deck near Zaiger Hall, behind the Dining Hall, and around Founders Hall in addition to the West Ridge parking deck. You then walked from your car to your classes, and, after classes, walked back to your car, drove back to West Ridge parking deck and back to your dorm? Am I the only one who thinks you’d get to and from your classes 1. The parking deck is closed to freshmen. According to your arti cle, you’re a freshman. Do you really want Campus Pplice check ing the cars in the parking deck more closely? 2. I don’t suppose you could be convinced to save the cost of two tanks of gas to buy a comfortable pair of walking/running shoes to make it a little easier to get up and down that hill. Might I suggest UNC-Wilmington, College of Charleston or University of Florida? Hint: they’re short on hills. I respectfully hope I have entire ly misinterpreted your article and welcome an opportunity to clear this issue up. “Since 'when is col- lege exclusively about academics?” Jason Crawford undeclared junior Jason Crawford undeclared junior In response to Czarny’s last column... Jonathon Czarny, in his opinion column for last week’s Banner, makes very good comments regarding those who criticize the university and the need to address bigotry. However, I must respect fully disagree with his coimnents regarding the role of sporting events and school spirit in the grand scheme of college academ ics. Since when is college exclu sively about academics? Did I miss a bulletin from the adminis tration while I was on winter vaca tion? “Notice: from here on out, UNCA students will not be allowed to have fun in any way, shape or form. You are here to learn, not play. For the next ij- weeks, your professors are to have? your undivided attention.” I gnp«' I did miss this. 1 My firm belief, shared by many! others, from students, professon' and alumni, is that college is abouii life. Those of us who go to college; straight out of high school are! legally adults at 18 years old, but it! is in college that we leam the skills necessary to survive on out; own. We come here boys and girls and! leave mature men and women (ail least in theory). In my opinioi, one of the most critical life skills we leam, or should leam, is thatofj time management. Hand-in-glove! with this skill is the ability to have! fun. I’m not advocating that Czarny, and others of like mind, necessarily have to go to athletic events in order to find their bit of fun. Nevertheless, I strongly sus pect they have their own avenues for pleasure, and they’re more tl welcome to them. Why knock those of us who like going to athletic events t proudly wear UNCA logos t colors? We’re just having our and being well-rounded college students, too. Jason Crawford undeclared junior Meet the Banner staff: The Banner^s newest additions, Maribeth Kiser and Sean Robinson share all What kind of music do you like? Maribeth: / like every kind of music... well, everything but Christian music. Sean: / listen to everything from Al DiMeola to Radiohead and everything in between. Country Western and Contemporary Christian are gross excep tions. mm Sean: / once hustled pool for three months straight to pay my rent. I didn’t even have a day job. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Maribeth Kiser News Editor Sean Robinson Campus Editor Where are you from? Maribeth: I like mozzarella salad from Circle in the Square Maribeth: Lincointon Sean: Winston-Salem, but don’t tell nobody. Sean: Sushi. More specifi cally, rare tuna sashimi with lots of wasabi. Maribeth: A personal shop per, if there is such a thing. Sean: You mean besides being president or an assassin? How about a professional food taster. Maribeth: To be myself. Sean: It’s from my grandfa- . then He always says, “Son, there are two things in life that are extremely overrat ed: a ton of money and a strange piece of ass.” What’s your favorite TV show? What are your post UNCA plans? If you got a tattoo today, ■what would it be and where? If you could go back in time, when and where would you go? Maribeth: “CSTand “Sex in the City. ” Sean: Pretty much any thing on Comedy Central, especially Chapelle's Show. What’s the best class you ever took at UNCA? Maribeth: I’ll probably get a job at a newspaper. Sean: To be president of the United States of America. Or, maybe, an assassin. They’re pretty similar occupations. Maribeth: / like my public- affairs class, which I’m in now. Sean: Mass Communicaton Politics with Mark West. He hates Bush just as much as I do. What’s the last book you read? Maribeth: / wouldn’t get a tattoo because I change too much, and I’d probably want to change it immedi ately. Sean: It would be across my lower back and it would say, ‘The kingdom of God is inside you” in Aramaic. Maribeth: Well, I wouldn’t go back too far because I enjoy indoor plumbing. Sean: / would go back and meet Leonardo DaVinci. If you could be any car toon character, who would you be? Maribeth: ‘The Devil Wears Prada,” by Lauren Weisberger. Sean: ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being,” by Milan Kundera. What’s something not a lot of people know about you? What’s your favorite food? What’s your dream job? Maribeth: / like to watch Entertainment News...I don’t think anybody really knows that. Maribeth: This guy in high- school used to call me Patti Mayonnaise, so I guess that’s me. Sean: Td be Donald Duck, so that I could insult anyone, and no one would be able to understand me. Or Td be Voltron, so I could take myself apart and be in five places at once. The College Republicans gain large following on a traditionally liberal campus] by Jeremy Abee Columnut You have probably heard that those dam ol’ Republicans have started a club right here at UNCA. With all the election events, reemitment signs and television blurbs, you would have had to be in one heck of a dmg-induced stu por to have not recog- m nized that the conserva tives crashed the party. But what could a club like this be doing here at UNCA? I mean, don’t they screen these club registration forms to make sure that things like this don’t hap pen? Well, it’s tme folks. The College Republicans (CRs) are here to stay. My best estimates on member ship would have been 10 to 15 when this club came into being. But, by the end of last semester, the CRs have a membership of 46 people, and the plans for the spring semester lead me to beheve that we will break 50 in the near future. With numerous conventions and conferences that we will be attend ing, the chance to leam more about the political structure of our gov ernment will be readily available. There is also the National and State Conferences of the College Republicans, where students can meet with and share insight with their peers from around the coun try or those in their own backyard. Here on the home front, the CRs will become more involved with the school and our fellow class mates. We plan on having a speaker and demonstration on gun s^ety. friends. Don’t you want to t Please Recycle The Blue Banner Get Publisheii! The Blue Banner seeks political cartoons for its opinion pages. Mail to: The Blue Banner Highsmith University Union 251, One University Heights, CPO #1256, Asheville, NG 28804. Or, you can just lea've work in the folder outside of the ofEce door. The Banner accepts letters and columns from any student or community member Start submitting!!' full tud And, we would like to sponsoril day where interested students cail come out to the -shooting rangtj with us and see who has the “bull’sl eye” among the school. We also plan on having a ski| retreat, where we hook up other CRs from Western Carolina,| ASU, Mars Hill and Montreat CollegeJ to have some fun in the snow fellowship with 1 there? I can’t say that I have seeij another club on campus that call fairly compare, but I would bt| willing to bet that the CRs havtl them all beat in terms of brother-1 hood, responsibility and friend-f ship. I have had the pleasure of niecl-J ing some really terrific young nicj| and women through this club, anr I am eternally thankful for th®® , Without their hard work, I would j have dyed my hair blue, gotten 1 tattoo of John Kerry on my rearil and been hauled off to the loonej j farm for trying to brand mysea with a hot-iron “W.” To my fellow CRs, thank y® j for all the hard work and times. We survived season number ont I and I think we are stronger no*| than we were before. We have much to be proud 1 but let that show you what can K j accomplished, even in the worst j situations, when we all pull togetfr j er as a team. Thank you for entrusting with the leadership of this orS^I zation, and for the chance to sh j with you the joys of winning-
University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper
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