Time for a new mentality toward\nIU football\nThe firing of Gerry DiNardo doesn't shock or disappoint me at all. What I am shocked, disappointed and downright appalled at is the disgusting sense of apathy and defeatism exhibited towards our football program as manifested by the three opinion pieces reacting to the Athletic Department's decision. If there is a better example of Monday morning quarterbacking from the bench, I've never seen it. \nFor those of you who decided to stay home on Saturdays over the past few years, let's look at the stats that really matter. Judging by the emptiness of the stands at home games, that's probably a majority of readers. DiNardo's record vs. rivals: 0-9, average margin of defeat in those games: 21 points. Our attendance is also the worst it has been in decades.\nLet's not forget that DiNardo's stubborn conservatism with regard to playcalling cost us four games this year. That includes a loss to Illinois after being up 19-0, followed by the Penn State debacle, when we failed to get into the end zone having 1st and goal from the 1-yard line with two minutes left. As if that wasn't bad enough, we put forth the worst defensive performance in the history of the Big Ten against our chief rival. \nObviously, the guest columnist has no clue what he's talking about in regards recruiting. According to www.rivals.com, our 2005 class is currently ranked 64th, with commitments from 13 players. Illinois is currently ranked 46th with only nine commitments and a coach who everybody knew was going to be fired. That doesn't seem like progress to me.\nI find it unacceptable that so many students, alumni and other so-called "supporters" of IU are so resigned to our football program's mediocrity. It's a joke that we get our backsides handed to us every year by the Boilerfakers, and nobody cares. I applaud Mr. Greenspan for giving us all a much-needed wake-up call. It's time for the entire University community to give this program the support that it deserves. Until then, we can only blame ourselves when the football coach is shown the door.\nJohn J. Bava III\nGraduate student
First, fill the stands\nMr. Greenspan,\nMy name is Alan Jancovech. I am an IUB graduate. Since, you just made the move to fire the head football coach, I thought this would be a good time to offer my opinion about the empty football seats. Give all students who want to attend the games FREE seats. Of course you want paying customers, but until you have the product, at least fill the stands. Make it fun for the students to attend the games, lose the plain clothed-policemen looking to bust someone. I attended this year's Bucket game and the atmosphere was electric up there. Nothing looks worse than to have a TV crew scan the IU stands and they are empty. What high school football star wants to come to a campus where no one is supporting them?\nLastly, please read the Indianapolis Business Journal, Vol. 25 No. 36, Nov. 15-21, 2004, issue written by IUB graduate Mr. Bill Benner. "Boilermakers putting sorry Hoosiers to Shame."
Regards, \nGO IU
Al Jancovech\nAlumnus
Catch up on constitutional law\nUpon reading George Lyle IV's column "I'm committing treason" (Dec. 2), I found myself pondering the exact definition of "disenfranchisement." The "Merriam-Webster Dictionary" defines it as the following: "to deprive of a franchise, a legal right, or a privilege." After some deep soul-searching, I decided that this definition does not apply to those who have the right to vote, but choose not to exercise it. Since the election, I've heard complaints that the Bush administration will "overturn Roe v. Wade" and pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Many of these complaints come from students who opted out of voting. If this applies to you, I say this: Do a little catching up on constitutional law, my friends. The president does NOT have the power to implement such policies. \nFirst of all, a decision handed down by the Supreme Court can only be "overturned" by another decision by the Court (this is extremely rare). While I agree that Bush will probably be appointing justices to the Supreme Court, his appointments must be approved by the Senate -- the representatives for whom you did not vote on election day. Secondly, Article V of the Constitution says that passing an amendment requires 2/3 approval by Congress. After that happens, it must be approved by 3/4 of the states (which is determined by your state legislature, for whom you also failed to vote). So I say to you, "disenfranchised" citizens, if you chose not to vote on Nov. 2 because you didn't think your vote would matter, you were sorely mistaken. It is your state representatives and congressmen who will determine the future of abortion and gay marriage, NOT President Bush. And to those of you contemplating fleeing to Canada or some remote tropical location, do you think that you will have the right to vote as a foreigner? Do you really believe that Canada, Fiji or the destination of your choice will offer you as much sovereignty as the "Land of the Free?" You may want to consider this before packing your bags.\nMegan Mueller\nSophomore
If you have to go-go\nIn the article "Students look at moving abroad in light of election" (Hina Alam, Nov. 29), one interviewee said that people who want to leave the country because of Bush "... should be tried for treason and shot." Another interviewee said that "Bush'll be glad to get rid of dissenters. He has no interest in hearing other people's opinions." These people should be embarrassed by their ignorant and disturbing comments. Wanting to move to a country that shares your politics is a very logical desire, and one that is not deserving of being shot! Let's hope for everyone's sake that Bush does not want to "get rid of dissenters". Thomas Jefferson once said, "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." I certainly hope that these "dissenters" stay in the US and work to change bad policy, but if they do leave I certainly understand their reasons for doing so.\nChris Koester\nPart-time student
Column the summit of hypocrisy\nThere are so many inaccuracies contained in Jonathan Blanks' "Defeat of elitism," (Nov. 8) that one must wonder if there was an editorial oversight in allowing it to be published.\nFirst it should be pointed out to Blanks that the liberal party has not been dealt a "devastating" blow. The presidential race was close at the end, and ultimately the president won by one state (140,000 votes), assisted by a conservative and oppressive amendment. But Blanks wants readers to ignore the more than 40 million voters who supported the Democratic Party by voting for Kerry, making his condemnation of "baseless propaganda" the summit of hypocrisy.\nFrom the election results it is evident that this country is evenly divided. There is no requirement for Democrats to abandon any left wing (all latitudes included) but rather a necessity to broaden the range of their message so it is not subject to distorted versions like those expounded by the aforementioned columnist.\nBlanks believes that this victory for the Republican Party represents a "defeat of elitism." Yet, it was Bush who commented that the elite are his "base," and whose tax cuts benefited the wealthy. Furthermore, Blanks omits that the northern Midwest and west also supported Kerry. Perhaps it is because those regions are not associated with elitism undermining his point.\nFinally Blanks is truly deluded if he believes that Democrats exclusively used "messages of fear and hate." It was Dick Cheney who insinuated that the United States would be victim to another terrorist attack should the populace elect Kerry. And it was the Republican backed-Swift Boat Veterans for (distorted) Truth who channeled their hatred of Kerry into "baseless propaganda." These false charges even drew criticism from Republican Senator John McCain, who also experienced his Vietnam record falsely smeared during his run against another Karl Rove directed Bush campaign.\nBlanks' column is so swamped with spin that it is as if he is trying to turn the Opinion page into his personal merry-go-round. Shouldn't the Indiana Daily Student hire credible journalists so that this continued distortion of the truth is not perpetuated further?\nThomas Brassell\nJunior
What has Crimson done?\nAfter reading a recent letter to the editor (Calling Out Crimson, Nov. 29), I decided to talk to a few friends involved with the IU Student Association. In talking to a few current senators on IUSA, I have gained knowledge that the current administration, the elected executives, have done nothing to help speed up any of their campaign promises. Why is this? Because they ran on a platform of things that cannot be accomplished. I invite everyone to go to Crimson's Web site (yes it is still running), at www.votecrimson.com. By clicking on the "Learn More About Us" link, you are directed to student body President Tyson Chastain's homepage, where you can see how he is touting what his platform was last February. Upon looking at these "initiatives," which obviously are without any real "initiative" from the Crimson Administration, you must ask yourself, what has Crimson done for me, the average student? The only answer you can come up with is, NOTHING.\nTyler Wallace\nJunior
