Fairness trumps all
In response to Jacob Johnston's "Campus conservatives underrepresented" (Sept. 7): Perhaps the reason you don't see a lot of "respect" for Christianity in the Indiana Daily Student is because the IDS must be fair to all faiths. While someone could write in the editorial section, "I, a Christian, believe..." the IDS itself cannot write anything discriminatory against any single group. Like, by saying "Homosexuality is wrong."\nWhile Jacob's four points may be valid in HIS idea of Christianity, they are not valid in mine. I am much more of an open-minded person. I don't believe homosexuality is a sin; I am open to the idea that other religions may be closer to the right idea than mine, and I don't see God as angry or vengeful. Also, I've never seen Bible verses in such plain words. I thought the Bible was written that way on purpose so as to allow people to interpret the message to fit the scenario they were in.\nMy best advice to Jacob: If you want to read something that is all pro-Christian and strokes your dogma the right way, read the "700 Club" newsletter. Christians during the Roman times were tortured, beaten and fed to lions; I think you, and your conservative Christian buddies, can deal with a college newspaper not giving you the respect you feel your beliefs deserve. I find it funny that you overlook the fact that Jesus won the hearts and minds of the people by caring for those the temple didn't. He walked amongst the poor, the sick, the unclean, even the harlots. Yet, his modern followers are excluding people for the way they live their lives (homosexuals, namely). I feel it's wrong to hate someone you don't know anything about. I usually get to know someone, then hate them for the jerk they are.
Terrence Dellinger\nJunior
\nPlaylists are personal
This morning, as I picked up my copy of the Indiana Daily Student, I was unpleasantly surprised while reading Matt Peyton's article titled "I may be a preteen girl" (Sept. 9). While originally strangely and somewhat uncomfortably enticed by the title of the article, I read on only to discover that my personal iTunes music collection was referenced by Mr. Peyton in his column. It was my "Study Music" playlist that was mentioned as containing the "Jurassic Park" soundtrack. I thought Mr. Peyton should know that the "Jurassic Park" soundtrack is not actually a collection of soundbytes of children being mauled by velociraptors. For the record, it is inappropriate, disrespectful and a variety of other angry adjectives for a person to reveal the contents of another iTunes user's playlist. Should I decide to listen to Will Smith, so be it. I do not need it revealed to the entire student body that Robbie Calderon listens to Will Smith (Gettin' Jiggy Wit It, in particular). Who cares if Will Smith is the most popular artist in Foster-Martin, Room 210? What good does it do for everyone to know that I, Robbie Calderon, listen to massive amounts of Will Smith?
Robbie Calderon \nFreshman
\nWater isn't inflammable
To the genius who wrote the recent editorial "A Student's right to furnish" (Sept. 9): You might be interested in looking up the meaning to the word "inflammable". I believe that you will find that it means the same as flammable; rather than "non-flamable." You might want to consider educating yourself before preaching on the flammable properties of water.
Joel Lanie\nSenior
\nReconsider position
On Jan. 15, 2002, you endorsed the proposed Interstate 69 extension through Bloomington/Monroe County connecting Indianapolis to Evansville. As a big IU fan and one who thoroughly enjoys downtown Bloomington, I am asking you to reconsider your stand of two years ago. New costs for the project have arisen, as have new data regarding the fact that existing interstates between Canada and Mexico actually constitute a shorter route than that of the proposed I-69 (part of the rationale for building I-69). The issue requires revisiting -- and in the meantime, existing infrastructure in many of Indiana's cities and counties goes without attention. Taking care of the roads and streets we have makes sense, and it's frequently not happening.\nDowntown Bloomington -- one of the most charming, attractive and vital downtowns in the Midwest, is already being upstaged by new sprawl developments on the east and west sides of Bloomington, featuring lots and lots of national chains. At what point will the character of downtown Bloomington be devastated? I-69 will make things worse. Interstates do pull business from downtowns -- look around the country and ask local small businesspeople. Do the students, faculty and staff of IU really want to be connected to a downtown that is dead? (Think about the fact that downtown Lafayette and West Lafayette are enjoying renewed life and are giving the Purdue campus more atmosphere.) \nTime to re-think. \nThanks for reading! Go IU!
Gary M. Davis\nIndianapolis
\nIt's (not) my party
Nov. 2 is my birthday, and nobody cares. It's a sad state of affairs. In two months, I will finally turn 20, and nobody wants to share my cake -- all anyone wants to do is stay home glued to their "CNN" to watch boring news anchors pointing to colorful maps and blabbing on about two ugly old men who hate each other. Maybe my inner child (who doesn't get enough attention on her birthday) is the reason I've always hated political extremists -- the little girl that still cries, "It's my birthday, and all you care about is clean air and gun control?"\nNow, let it not be said that I won't vote. While I'm not yet mature enough to resist resenting politicians for stealing my birthday thunder, I am still enough of an adult to realize that good citizens trek to the polls in November and punch their ballots. I, too, will go dutifully forth and vote -- but for who, I am not yet sure.\nI am a fierce moderate. I refuse to step away from the middle of the road. I often feel lonely -- raging Republicans duel with Democrats on voting booth lawns, but nobody cares about us moderates. I've always wondered if there are others out there like me -- people who won't wear fur but will eat meat. I think there are, but I sure don't see them on the IU campus.\nAs election season nears, I want to holler at all you moderates -- throw your hands in the air! Have a conversation that isn't about politics, for once, and spread the word that neither having Bush nor Kerry in the White House will spell certain doom for our beloved country. By all means, vote, but please don't let the relentless pursuit of politics take over you life. After all -- it is my birthday.
Jamie Brazel\nSophomore
\nLetters missed point
This is in response to a letter from Jacob Johnston published Sept. 7 ("Campus conservatives underrepresented). Jacob, I, as an out and proud gay man, have some major issues with your letter. \n1. You claim that "Jesus is the only way to God" and "stating Christian doctrine such as this does not automatically make a Christian arrogant or disrespectful." Yes, in fact, it does. It shows your lack of respect in acknowledging others' religious beliefs. \n2. You claim that "being a Christian means that one is limited as to what can be deemed acceptable behavior." If you read your Bible more carefully, you will also find the belief of judge not lest ye be judged.\n3. You claim that "Christians have to believe that homosexuality is a sin." You refer to both the Romans and Leviticus sections of the Bible. In case you have forgotten, Christ's teachings are in the New Testament. If you follow the Old Testament, then you are a fundamentalist and not merely a Christian. After reading the section of Romans you referred to, one can come to many conclusions as to whom it is referencing. I question it as a reference to strictly homosexuals. I am glad you feel that "God has the power to create a new and sinless me," and I might add that when He does create a new you that you ask that this time around He also give you an open mind and a non-judgmental attitude.
John E. Bogeman II \nIU staff
\nHappy Hoosier campers
Wow, I bet you are happy campers! Just to let you know there are lots of people in Oregon that are also happy (although I can only speak for myself). I graduated from the other Oregon school -- Oregon State University. My two favorite teams are the Beavers and whoever the Duckies are playing. So you made me proud.\nAnd my favorite coach of all time is Bobby Knight -- always has been and always will be. You may not agree with this, but then it is just my opinion.\nI wish you continued good fortunes in football. Go Hoosiers!
Stan Hagen\nAlbany, Oregon
\nA happy surprise
When I picked up my copy of the Indiana Daily Student Sept. 10, I turned to the opinion page expecting the same left-leaning Bush-bashing columns that are the regular fare. However, I was delighted to see the IDS might be trying its hand at being balanced for once. The column, "The NEW Vietnam Conflict" by Edward Delp, was very good. His analysis of Kerry's struggling campaign was spot on. I hope letters like mine, and others from the right side of the political spectrum will make this paper realize that there are talented conservative writers out there and there are quite a few people who like to read them. Once again I think Mr. Delp should be commended, and maybe you guys should think about moving his future columns to a day other than Fridays.
Brent Smith\nJunior
\nFinding time to care
I used to be far too busy to follow politics. However, after finding myself stranded in Panama on 9-11, I vowed to do serious "citizen homework." When President George W. Bush proceeded to invade Iraq, he revealed an inability to grapple with complex issues, reach informed conclusions and take appropriate actions. Was the president aware of hostile divisions between Sunnis, Shi'ites and Kurds? The U.S. commander in chief should have known that governing a conquered country through torture and fear has not worked well in the past.\nInternational human rights groups claim the torture of "suspected" terrorists being held in Guantanamo, Afghanistan and Baghdad was systematic. According to Pentagon figures, "at least 37 prisoners have died in custody in Iraq and Afghanistan since August 2002." Angry Iraqi resistance, fighters having learned about the abuses at Abu Ghraib, are even more determined to drive invaders from their homeland. The author of "Imperial Hubris," notes "we have left Afghanistan and Iraq seething with anti-U.S. sentiment, fertile grounds for the expansion of \nAl Qaeda and kindred groups."\nAlthough President Bush poses as a "national hero," the "Fahrenheit 9/11" film shows him soon after the 9-11 attacks seated in a second grade classroom, holding a story book. Is this the macho leader who can protect poor, weak, little me from the big, bad terrorists? Another image taken later on 9-11, shows this "national hero" seated in a recliner aboard Air Force One while jetting toward safety. Eventually, he found security in a really good hideout -- an SAC bunker in Nebraska. \nUnlike our "sitting" president, John Kerry actually served in the military! The Democratic candidate, who clearly put himself at risk in Vietnam, earned the highest ratings in moral courage, judgment and decisiveness. As a seasoned U.S. senator, John Kerry understands the complexities of foreign relations, the value of strong alliances, the need to use American power in positive ways. Only with fresh leadership can the American government regain the respect of other nations ... and citizens like me.
Sally Brown McKinney\nBloomington resident
\nIs a union necessary?
Graduate student employees having dental insurance is a fine idea ("Graduate Students Fight for Insurance," Sept. 10), but I question whether forming a labor union of graduate student employees at IU is the way to accomplish the goal. I'll take a few words here to claim that I am, in fact, a very liberal fellow and a supporter of collective benefits, and (to paraphrase Billy Bragg) keeping the bosses' lackeys from cheating the workers. Ironically enough, I argue that is why we should not have a GSE labor union. \nI've been at IU as a graduate student long enough to realize a few simple facts about life here: \n1. Our work as graduate students is transitory; \n2. Our work here at IU is secondary to our primary goal of getting an education; \n3. IU will adopt a singular focus upon a graduate student labor union as the entity representing us; \n4. Collective action does not require us to build a labor union.\nIf we make a labor union for GSEs, there will be a new bureaucratic entity on campus whose purported goal is the welfare of GSEs. As a transient population focused mainly on their educations, GSEs would ultimately have little influence over the operation of the union. IU would wield undue influence on the union's leadership, who, as busy transients, would be nave about local labor issues and laws.\nA union's power comes from the threat of collective action, but you don't need a union to do that. Do you want some better pay or benefits for your work? Are you angry? Fine. The long-term well-being of the graduate student employees is better served by an angry acephalous or cellular mob, one that reacts on an issue-by-issue basis. There is more than enough capability to organize a few thousand people on this campus without adding a level of bureaucracy with a dubious agenda.
Joshua J. Wells\nGraduate student
\nLending support
I would like to take a moment to publicly show my support for Jacob Johnston ("Campus conservatives underrepresented," Sept. 7). I'm glad that you took a stand for your faith, and I will continue to support you throughout any backlash your letter receives. \nGod Bless,
Cody Craig\nSenior
\nNo such thing as a free iPod
I read with interest your comments on Duke iPods (Sept. 7). I have no idea whether this is a good idea or not. On reflection I suspect you are correct in that DU is underwriting downloading music.\nYou did, however, make one serious error. As the parent of two Dukies, I can assure you that nothing at Duke is free. There may be no direct charge for the iPods, but they are not free.
Jim Alexander\nBirmingham, Ala.
\nBusywork doesn't mean results
I have to hand it to IU-Bloomington Interim Chancellor Ken Gros Louis for labeling the PeopleSoft implementation fiasco as not "... a problem with the software, but rather a problem with the complexity of the new modules in the PeopleSoft system." That's quite a slippery sound byte. This bold optimism is exactly the type of media-savvy courage IU needs to make up for the revenue shortfall the PeopleSoft implementation has helped exaggerate. \nRegardless of his nuance on exactly what the problem was, what I particularly enjoy is the Chancellor believes, "It's nobody's fault. In fact many people worked seven days a week and 10 hours a day to get everything done." No, really? Did they get blisters, too? 'Cause blisters really deliver results. \nChancellor Gros Louis makes a fundamental error in thinking that by flailing around and looking busy, something valuable was accomplished. Having spent time in IT, I know that when I was working late nights on a project, it wasn't because I was trying to understand the "complexity of a new module." It was because the project was not properly funded, planned or executed. It's that simple. \nThe IT world continues to believe that it exists in a new, dynamic industry paradigm that transcends all business lessons from the last 2,000 years of human history. The truth is that projects fail in IT for the exact same reasons they fail in other industries; lack of realistic planning, poor development execution and unrealistic timelines. The fact that the PeopleSoft upgrade went 'live' one week before orientation shows the inherent negligence of the implementation plan. \nSo let's stop being "aw-shucks" soft on ourselves and insisting that we worked real hard and were just unlucky. IU failed to adequately grasp the scale and complexity of the upgrade, and it's costing the University millions. If IU really cared about rolling out a solution on time, they would have just asked the other Universities that implemented this exact same PeopleSoft application for guidance. I'm sure Chancellor Gros Louis would hardly be surprised to find their results were just as bad as ours.
Michael R. Frew\nGraduate student
\nCouches a threat
Your staff editorial of Thursday, Sept. 9 ("A student's 'right to furnish'"), is completely wide of the mark on a number of issues related to the safety of upholstered furniture outdoors.\n"We wonder how much more flammable a sofa becomes once students move it out of the living room and onto the porch."\nThe couch becomes no more combustible itself, but it represents a far greater fire hazard because the conditions have changed. There is less air movement indoors than out, and it does not take much wind to fan a small fire into a large one. This means that if a fire were to get started, it is likely to quickly grow large enough to endanger the entire house instead of one or two rooms. Further, if the fire gets large on your porch, at least one exit from the house is blocked immediately. The fire risk from outdoor furniture is higher because it's more likely that an ignition source (whether from the owner or a passerby) will end up on, in or under the furniture.\n"Besides, having sofas outdoors exposes them to the elements, like rain. Rain is made of water, and, last we checked, water is fairly inflammable." \nWater is not inflammable. At any rate, many porches are protected by a roof. But leave that aside and assume the furniture is damp most of the time. This will indeed cut down the fire risk. However this furniture is now a big mold factory, a haven for all kinds of pests, and potentially both a public nuisance and a health hazard. \nClaiming that restricting upholstered furniture use outdoors is about controlling students betrays a lack of thought for the situation. It's far more likely that this person is simply trying to address a significant safety hazard and, quite incidentally, to save the lives of these very same students. Fires used to be far more common than they are now. It is thanks in part to people like Inspector Warsinski that they are not so common, and the ones that occur are less deadly than they once were.
John A. Johnson\nGraduate student
\nPractice what you preachL
In response to Jacob Johnston's letter "Campus conservatives underrepresented," (Sept. 7), I would like to say that while I completely understand and respect his desire for equal representation, I, as a Christian, am appalled by his numbered definition of Christianity. To define a religion which is as broad and complex as Christianity through four blunt, narrow and simple bullet points approaches a certain level of absurdity. I most certainly have attended a Christian Presbyterian church since age three, and not only do I believe that there may be other ways to reach a higher power than through Jesus Christ, I also come from a Christian faith that embraces diversity of race, origin and gender and have never once been told that because of my religion, I should view homosexuality as a sin. Quite the opposite: I have been told to use Jesus as an example -- someone who challenged the status quo (ate with the outcasts, the beggars, forgave the sinners) -- and to be accepting and supportive of all. As a Christian and as a student, I am offended by Johnston's substitution of his personal beliefs for "accurately represented Christianity." I do hope that Johnston may consider the audacity, arrogance and narrow-mindedness with which he has chosen to address the subject and may take the viewpoints of others into consideration before the next time he decides to preach.
Rachel Wilson\nFreshman
