Jordan River Forum

Both parties fuel disappointment\nThe article entitled "Clerk hopeful criticizes party" (IDS, Oct. 23) really should have read "Clerk hopeful criticizes both parties." Though I certainly criticized my own party for playing petty politics, I am also deeply troubled by the threats of litigation from the Democratic Party. Does either party realize how much they are turning students (and non-students for that matter!) away from politics? I don't think so. They've lost sight of that. My campaign has not. A mistake was made. Call it as it is and move on to the real issues. I want all registered students to vote; I want all those votes to be counted. I am proud to be a Republican and proud to run as such. We have a great team of candidates this year; each one has much to offer the City of Bloomington. All are good men. I encourage you to find a candidate who shares your views and support them on Nov. 4.\nPush for truth in ballot debacle\nI was disappointed to read the staff editorial in Wednesday's IDS ("Get over it: let them vote," Oct.22). It argued the county should honor the absentee ballot requests from more than 250 students even though "their reasons for requiring an absentee ballot might not be honest." The editorial's rationale was that the law provides no enforcement mechanism for requiring the truth.\nGiven that most newspapers strive for truth, accuracy and fairness, it strikes me as odd that the IDS would take a position condoning lying as long as no law exists to prevent it. Frankly, I expected better from the IDS. \nThe editorial laments the apathy among college-age voters and pins the blame on the "bickering" between the two major political parties. I would suggest a more fundamental concern. It is difficult to get excited about politics when so many of our candidates feel free to lie, distort the truth and hide essential information to get elected or re-elected. But many candidates have found lies and distortions are effective tools in an environment in which behavior that "might not be honest" is dismissed as unimportant.\nIf we want to instill integrity in our political process, then shrugging off dishonest actions seems like the wrong approach. I would like to see us demand honesty throughout the process, from the statements of our candidates to the requests for absentee ballots.\nThe IDS could play an important role in that effort, calling attention to any statements or behaviors that threaten to weaken the integrity of the political system.\nI hope that the opinion stated in your editorial will not keep you from tackling that challenge.\nAI system lacks communication\nI think a key element was left out in the article, "Students, professors differ on quality of associate instructor program" (IDS, Oct. 20): the discussion of communication. My biggest problem as a freshman is when taking a large class that requires lecture, lab and discussion sections, the AIs do not communicate with each other or the professor. So it feels as if I am truly taking three different classes that are completely unrelated. \nAlso, when having AIs for a class, their grading systems and work load seem to vary enormously from AI to AI. So having one AI for a particular part of the class might essentially "make or break" the grade. Switching discussion or lab times because the AI cannot communicate with the class because of lack of English skills or lack of knowledge of what to do should not be as common as it is. \nI do believe that it is a positive experience for the AIs and I do believe it is an essential part of the University, but communication still reigns as the largest problem, be it language or with the professor.