Include scientific understanding with Biblical study\nQuoting from IDS columnist George Lyle IV (Oct. 1, "Free speech for all ya'll"), we see that in his opinion, "We now must deal with the evangelists...these zealots speaking from their single-minded devotion to their own versions of religious texts...spouting verses from their holy books."\nFurther Lyle says, "Speaking as a journalist, I am glad these preachers have their opportunity to show the world how ignorant they are...speaking as a Christian, I question these preachers."\nWell, I question Lyle and all religionists -- Christian or otherwise. Are you not just as ignorant when you accept your Holy Book and religious dogma on faith only without being willing to shed the light of reason on your beliefs?\nMartin Luther, Catholic priest-turned neo Lutheran, knew what he was talking about if only when he claimed that reason is the greatest enemy of religion.\nA mind involved in bible study without a scientific, intellectual bent to question, "How can this be," is a mind that is closed.\nStudents, access http://www.campusfreethought.org for insight into another approach to interacting with your world.\nEmanuel Klein\nBloomington resident
Headline judgmental, lacked objective view\nAs one able to remember when Ballantine Hall was new, the air conditioning keeping the building as cool as the IMU, it was dismaying to see how it was in July of 2002. Nonetheless, calling it an "eyesore" in the headline (Oct. 1, "Campus eyesore staying put, renovation plans in future") is overly judgmental. The use of the word screams the opinion of the headline writer, thus diluting the comments within the body of the story.\nDon't you think the judgement should be the reader's after finishing the story?\nJim Brantley\nIU Alum
IU needs more safe-sex education\nThe article "Research finds sex education lacking," from Oct. 2 brings up a very important issue. The risks associated with unprotected sex in today's world leave little room for error. Unfortunately, if the cited statistics are accurate, these errors are being made and classes should be offered to create a better-informed student body.\nBut IU can't stop at simple awareness. They must also make condoms accessible to the sexually active in order to complete their role as a safe-sex advocate. Is IU currently doing this? Doubtful, if 42 percent of surveyed students had unprotected sex because they didn't have a condom. Why didn't they have a condom? One reason is that no campus convenience stores carry such items. \nThis raises a new question: Why don't they?\nIt can't be morals. The IU Health Center not only sells birth control; it also gives out condoms free of charge in their gynecology clinic. The Collins convenience store, which has subsequently closed, carried condoms but because of this was forced to give up accepting meal points. It seems the administration is fearful of outraged parents who don't want their child's sex life to be added to their bill. This greatly surprises me, considering IU's usually liberal stance regarding sexual issues.\nIU needs to reevaluate its stance on this issue. First, despite a parent's stance on the matter, it is neglectful and foolish of them to deny their child a condom given the alternative is unprotected sex. Second, the University has a responsibility to make this campus as safe as possible, and if that means providing controversial items, so be it. Third, IU should be catering to the majority, not acquiescing to the minority. This is not to say that the majority is having sex, just that the majority advocates safe sex. More importantly, the vast majority of students and parents would be in the University's debt if, by making such items accessible, it prevented pregnancy, AIDS or any other STD from ruining another life.\nIn brief, if IU has plans to address condom ignorance, they must also supply the materials to back up their teaching.\nCameron Thibos\nFreshman
IUSA execs embarrassment to student body\nPresident Bill Gray and the rest of the Kirkwood administration must resign. Not only did Gray and his cohorts squander thousands of dollars that should have gone to student groups and scholarships, but now we learn that they purchased fake security equipment to guard the student body's pricey investment. Throughout this process, Gray has stood by IUSA's horrendous waste with faulty logic and outright lies. I've had enough. No more bad press. No more misuse of student funds.\nNo more quid pro quo democracy. No more lame excuses. No more! May I also suggest that Gray lock himself in his frat house and never step foot on campus again, for all he has brought to IUSA is shame and reproach. For the sake of the student body at IU, he should resign and show the rest of the country that we are not all idiots like he.\nMatthew Stevenson\nSophomore
Anti-Catholics make astounding accusations\nI would like to thank Robert Oprisko for including Catholic bashing in his column (Oct. 1, "Elves and other myths"). The fact that many would use the priest sex scandal to bring down the Catholic Church is amazing. As the social director for the Newman Club (Catholic student organization) I know that many people who were looking for an excuse to leave the Church have found it. But there are many loyal members who still remain.\nThese priests who do these things to kids have no place in the Church. The sad part is that the good work of so many was sacrificed by the disrespect of a few. There is one other major issue. The arrogance displayed by many evangelists and Protestant preachers in saying that Catholics are not\nChristian is astounding. Just like the preacher that was here last week; hate mongers in the mold of Pat Robertson and Bob Jones think they are the only ones who are right. Well, when they get to the pearly gates, they've got another thing coming.\nEdward John Delp IV\nSophomore
Keep the eyesore; Ballantine an IU staple\nI do understand that Ballantine Hall is somewhat of an eyesore. I attended my share of classes there during my tenure at IU. I hated climbing the stairs. I hated the inclement weather, and it was just too tall. I have to say, though, that Ballantine Hall has been a staple of the IU campus for quite some time. My parents attended classes at Ballantine. I would hate to see such a building simply razed. I can think of nothing better than expanding the campus and adding much needed laboratory and classroom space. I would just hope that it doesn't come at the expense of a time-honored building.\nMichael Adams\nSenior
School colors never red and white; story on target\nI am writing in response to (Oct. 3, "Spirit rooted in tradition,"). For the most part, the editorial was right on target. The Marching Hundred should definitely be able to do their "run-on." And the fact that students have the worst seats in the stadium angers me, especially considering that my student seats have gotten further and further from the 50-yard line during the seven years I have had student tickets (yes, I know, that's a lot of bad football). Having said that, there was something that was a bit off about the staff editorial. \nIU's official school colors have always been cream and crimson, not red and white. This was not some new change implemented by the new athletic administration. In fact, before Cam Cameron came in and changed the football uniforms to red and black, IU football uniforms had been cream and crimson. I should know -- I was here for Bill Mallory's last season. Any "tradition" we have as a football program has been from our cream and crimson years, whereas we went to no bowls in the Cam Cameron era. All in all, I think the change back to the official school colors is not a bad thing. It sets us apart from Wisconsin and OSU (which I think is a good thing). As long as the candy striped basketball warm-ups are not touched, I'll be happy.\nAndrew LeMar\nLaw student
Frat mom's pleas just as pathetic as son's fraternity\nPlease tell me that letter from the frat mother was a joke (Oct. 4, "Mother finds IUPD tactics appalling, a violation of Fourth Amendment rights"). This is almost as pathetic as frat guys whining and saying "It's not fair."\nLet me tell you what's not fair. There are people, about 15 to 20 miles north of this campus, who lost everything. They lost their homes, their cars, their possessions -- you name it, it's gone. At the same time that they are re-building and getting their lives together they have to worry about keeping jobs in an already unstable economy. Yet, the newspaper headlines about them don't have them quoted as saying "It's not fair!"\nYou know what's not fair? That a bunch of frat guys decided to waste $50,000 of student money for a car while people are struggling to find enough money for food in this town.\nHey mom, your son broke a law! It's not fair that officers have to deal with frats in the first place, but that's the way it is. You can be appalled as you want, but, well, we just laugh at you and your son's whining. And quite frankly, it's not fair...wah, wah.\nAdam Neft\nJunior
Firing tennis coach a good move\nGood for the University! I am happy to see that the University is taking a stand against those who abuse alcohol. We have a right in this country that when we turn 21 we can choose, or not choose, to buy and drink alcohol legally. When you're a professional, be it a tennis coach or a tennis player, you have a code of ethics to follow. When you are arrested twice within two months of being hired, that says something about the person. First, he doesn't take his position or job seriously, and second, he has a serious abuse problem. Get some help, Mr. Kiel, and don't come back to this University until you can prove to all of us that you are worthy of teaching in a world class system without having alcohol to "back you up." We have young tennis players from all over the world who want to have a good college experience and having a coach who abuses alcohol (in the public no less) is not a good impression to make on 18-year-old kids. I hope Coach Hydinger finds a new assistant without an alcohol problem to help his great program.\nAmanda Robbins\nGraduate student
RHA thinks IUSA misused money on Corvette\nAs a predominant student government organization on this campus, the Residence Halls Association finds it necessary to express the opinions of the residence halls students regarding the implementation of the IU Student Association's "Vote Hard" initiative. While we realize that it is too late for the IUSA executives to reverse the purchase of the Corvette, we feel that we would be negligent in our duties to the students of the residence halls by not speaking out against this action or holding IUSA accountable.\nAfter speaking to students and floor representatives in each of the residence halls, RHA has found that the majority of these students are concerned and upset over the large amount of money spent on the Corvette. While we agree with the "Vote Hard" initiative on a fundamental level, we feel that spending $50,000 on this project is a gross misuse of funds. RHA agrees that it is absolutely imperative for students to increase their voice in government through voting in the upcoming elections; however, spending such a large consolidation of funds on one initiative is irresponsible.\nRHA's primary concern is that we have not seen an attempt on IUSA's part to consult their constituents' opinions before spending the money. As a student government organization representing every student at IU, it is absolutely necessary for IUSA to represent the best interests of those students. IUSA should be held accountable to the people who elected them to office. We ask in the future that IUSA fulfill its duty to the students by finding out their opinions before spending an enormous amount of money on one initiative. By talking to students on a regular basis, consulting with other student groups on campus, and listening to the members of the IUSA Congress who represent the individual sectors of the student population, IUSA can then truly represent the interests and opinions of the students.\nRHA would like to offer its assistance to the IUSA executives in the future by expressing the views and interests of the 10,000 students whom we represent. We are not trying to attack IUSA for its attempt to increase voter turnout; however we must hold them accountable to the students whom we both represent. RHA would like to express its concern and willingness to help in future endeavors.\nResidence Halls Association\nPresident's Council
