Jordan River Forum

Patriotism means embracing country While Cherry Blattert's central theme regarding the administration's inconsistency in upholding University code is noted, her tone is troublesome ("An Open Letter to Dean McKaig," April 23). There is nothing anti-American or even radical about ambivalence toward the so-called war on terrorism. Those who disagree with President Bush's policies are not your enemies; they are your compatriots. To dismiss them as "embarrassing hippies" seems decidedly simple-minded. Why are you embarrassed? And what has a hippie ever done to you? Being a true patriot means embracing this wonderful country, with all its wrinkles and blemishes and loving every last dram of its dysfunctional madness. It does not mean castigating people for their beliefs or lifestyles, as Blattert has done. Jon Altshul
Graduate student Israel will protect its citizens and students I was interested to read your article on the two IU students who are studying in Israel ("Students remaining in Israel," April 17). I happen to be the mother of one of those students. It is difficult to have a son studying in a part of the world that is so unstable. There are constant reports of terror and danger. What isn't as widely reported is the strong sense of community and the knowledge that Israel will do what is needed to protect its citizens. Being a democratic country, there are a variety of opinions on what course that should take. We had the opportunity to visit Hebrew University in Jerusalem over the winter break. We were impressed by the security at the University and the normalcy of life on campus. They are doing everything within their power to insure the student's well being while encouraging educational development. As parents, Joe's father and I admire his commitment and sense of purpose. We thank IU for its concern and support and for giving the students the ultimate choice on whether to stay in Israel or return to Bloomington. And, yes, we worry all the time and are aging in dog years. Liz Osgood
Wheaton, Ill. Standardized tests set children for failure In response to Brock Levin's column ("Money wasted on education," April 10). Children learn and process information in a variety of ways -- Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences suggests that there are eight (with a ninth recently added) different areas of intelligence in which a person can be considered to have explicit strengths or weaknesses. Only two of these nine intelligences, linguistic and logical-mathematical, apply to standardized tests. Gardner's theory suggests that a student can excel in two or three areas and lack skills in other areas. Consider a student who excels in areas such as spatial, musical or interpersonal intelligence, but lacks skills in linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence. How could this student display his knowledge when confined to an outlet that is specifically tailored to a particular style of learning in which he does not excel? And what about the 5 percent of all students and 50 percent of students in special education who have learning disabilities? Children with learning disabilities process information in different ways and cannot be limited to a standardized test when asked to exhibit what knowledge they have gained. It is the same principle as the multiple intelligence theory -- how can one expect a student to perform well on a test when his brain is wired differently and does not process information in the way the test demands? Life is not a standardized test; there is no specific set of answers arrived at using one uniform format, so why do we insist that our children to conform to this style of learning? Why set a child up for failure this way? One day, if you should happen to have a child with a learning disability who is expected to take a standardized test to prove what he knows, I hope you will remember what you have written and realize that this is the so-called reform of the education system for which you have called. Ashley Olinger
Sophomore Sex is for marriage only "Is it consensual? Is it fun? Is it pleasurable?" Professor Elizabeth Armstrong asks concerning "hooking up" in "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" (April 24). These are not the proper questions to ask about this issue. Instead, we should ask, "Is it honorable? Is it commendable? Is it pure?" These are questions that address the whole of a person's life rather than fleeting moments of passion. The desire for marriage expressed by 91 percent of the women surveyed by the Institute for American Values is a natural, God-given desire. Human beings were made to glorify God and enjoy Him forever and one of the ways we can do this is by honoring Him through a commitment to life-long heterosexual marriage. This is the kind of sexual relationship we were made for and if we embrace sex in this context alone, it will be beautiful, not causing the feelings of awkwardness and emptiness that so many women reported feeling after "hooking up." Many of us have engaged in sex outside marriage. There is forgiveness for this sin through Jesus Christ and there is help from the Holy Spirit to conduct our sexual lives in a way that is honorable, commendable and pure. I implore college men and women to accept this truth and live by it. This will bring glory to God and deep joy to you. Annie Walker
Senior Letter writer needs to grow a heart I have just one question for Karen S. Johnston concerning her letter ("Support Death Penalty to Save Money," April 23). What would your stance be on capital punishment if perhaps your son, daughter or husband were one of the "uncivilized killers" whom you described in your letter? Your response -- Ahh, Screw 'em. If we're going to keep the U.S. "civilized," we've got to get rid of 'em. Have you ever given any thought to those who were falsely convicted? I assume not since in your letter you strongly stated, "Nobody's inalienable rights are taken from him as long as he is a law abiding citizen." What about those who are mentally ill? Your response -- Ah, Screw 'em. They knew what they were getting themselves in to. It is true that our tax dollars go to the prisons, but they also go toward rehabilitation programs to help these people. Tax dollars also go toward the cost of equipment for the killing of these inmates. I can really feel my pockets emptying now! Johnston, please for my sake and for this country's, please grow a heart. Peter Hinnefeld
Freshman Parking violators should pay more Erin White's column ("Little 500 towing unnecessary," April 25) surprised me. While I personally think that parking is an issue on this campus, the column seemed to imply that illegally parking should be okay if it's only for a few minutes or if there is an event on campus. Probably the line that encapsulates my personal frustration was, "I don't understand how it is legal to charge $30 for parking in the 'A' zone for five minutes." My response is that it shouldn't be a $30 fine…it should be a $100 fine. Maybe then you'd learn its wrong to park there instead of complaining. Or $500. Some of us pay a substantial amount of money for our "A" parking stickers and yet, almost every day, it is a struggle to find one. Now, I don't have any special position at IU, I only teach, so I guess that if some undergrad visting a friend or dropping something off wants to take the last spot, I guess I should just drive around for 30 minutes to find a spot. Of course, this was my intention all along, and that's why I paid over $200 for an "A" parking permit. Maybe instead I should just not bother coming in to work. My job must not be important to White. I'm only an instructor teaching in the School of Education. Oh, wait, last time I checked, isn't the point of the university for education? I think before you write an opinion column, you might want to consider whether it's pointing out something useful about an issue or, as in this case, just three columns of whining. Tell your visitor friends to find visitor parking or park on the street or park at the stadium on the weekend. And if you are a student, I know this is a radical idea, but maybe you ought to walk or take the bus to run your errand. Whatever you do, stay out of a spot that you haven't paid for. I suggest maybe you should re-evaluate your own priorities before writing crap like this in the future. Richard Stein
Associate Instructor, School of Education