4 I The Behrend Beacon Congress shall make no law respecting on establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the Press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - The First Arnmendrnent to the U.S. Constitution The only Bolton worse than Michael Bolton To start, I heartily give my applause to Chris Brown for not even mentioning Human Rights Day, which was December 10 (applicable to the December 8 issue of The Behrend Beacon). When glorifying John Bolton, the United States' Interim representative to the United Nations (UN), in his article, "Bolton the bully?" he praises Bolton's tireless work ethic, bullying manner and sadly typical, controlling American personality. Bolton's bullying efforts have fortified the domineering American presence in international affairs. The U.S. has an air ahout it as the biggest, the best, and the most powerful, a style that Bolton exemplifies, regrettably. Brown further omits how the U.S. is the world's dictating leader in economic, political, and military operations-strong clues of a unilateral mentality. The UN is not unilateral; hence, bullying is unfair and only extends the circle of being unwelcome as an American into other parts of the world. The UN is designed to be a multilateral governmental body whereby each country is deemed as equal. According to Brown, "He ! Bolton ] looked out for America's interests in an organization that time and again turns its head away from its largest benefactor, the United States. - In 1994, Bolton is quoted as saying "There is no such thing as the United Nations. There is only the international communi ty, which can only be led by the only remaining superpower, which is the United States." Unfortunately, Brown's article only further proves Bolton to emphasize being a unilateralist who is not what is desired or required by the UN. Another significant drawback to Bolton's short term appointment has been his severe lack of cooperation. The most important was dis approving the approval of visas to the Iranian parliament's speaker and group of officials in part of a mandatory world conference for UN members. Visa approvals are not questioned, regardless of war, rela tions, etc. But, because of Iran's "non-democratic" government, approval was not given as needed and no visas were sent on time. This was not the first time that a denial of mandatory visas has happened; the last time was with Yassar Arafat. Reports have also documented Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, This is in regard to not only the articles concerning Jon Demerecz, but also the letters to the editor. It is apparent that the arrest of Jon Demerecz has the entire campus up in arms, but what a lot of students don't realize is that he deserves the same rights as any other American. As citizens of this country, we have a judicial system that keeps us in check, and that judicial system says that every American is innocent until proven guilty. I am not defending Jon Demerecz. I am defending his right as an American, because I know I appreciate the rights given me by this country and its constitution. I cannot know for sure whether or not Jon is guilty. I will leave that decision to the elected officials given that responsibility. Until then, Jon Demerecz is innocent. David Exler Mechanical Engineering Technology 'O9 The Behrend Beacon published „cc. the students ()I „in, st„e Behr. nil 1311110 NI) Beacon News Editor Christopher LaFuria Assistant News Editor Ashley Bressler Assistant Sports Editor Daniel Mitchell Penn State Erie, The Behrend College First Floor, The J. Elmer Reed Union Building Station Road, Erie, PA 16563 Contact the Beacon at: Telephone: (814) 898-6488 Fax: (814) 898-6019 Submission Guidelines The Beacon welcomes readers to share their views on this page. Lettere and commentary pieces can be submitted by email to klksoos.tpecedu'Or directly to the Beacon office, located in the Reed Building. Letters should be limited to 350 words and commentaries should be lint*. ited to 700 words. The more concise the submission, the less we wilt ISO forced to edit it for space concerns and the more likely we are to tlin-the submission All submissions must include the writer's y' as The Beacon does not publish anonymous mission is 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon for• ificli submissions are considered, but because of sr be published. The Behrend Beacon retterVOS the publication. By Stephen Oyler contributing 11 lit e r Jennifer Haight, Editor in Chief Patrick Webster, Managing Editor Lindsay Snyder, Advertising Manager Sports Editor Jordan Gilmore Opinion Editor Kate Kelecseny Humor Editor Ben Raymond Student Life Editor Sean Mihlo Head Copy Editor Rachael Conway Copy Editors Chris Brown Miranda Krause Janet Niedenberger Photography Editor Mike Sharkey Calendar Page Editor Jerry Pohl that Bolton has illegally (by contract and oath) withheld information from both Colin Powell and Dr. Condoleezza Rice, more than once. In an article by Kathy Gill, a professor at the University of Washington and former governmental worker both at that state level (in Pennsylvania) and at the federal level, she quotes Bolton as having "tunnel vision, a lack of diplomacy and borderline xenophobia." Later she goes on to state that Bolton will "dangerously fray the United States' already eroding relations with the rest of the world." Other comments about Bolton, by a spokesperson from North Korea, include him as being "human scum" and a "bloodsucker [who] is not entitled to take part in the talks [about peace]." Bolton had little support ly a legiti mate ambas- Dec. 31 2001 sador to the United Dec. 31 2002 Dec. 31 2003 Nations. He lacked, and Dec. 31 2004 current Dec. 31 2005 lacks, support Senate American citizens, and other global leaders and was inadequately rec ommended by President Bush, who, in my circumstances, represents the U.S. just as defectively. In researching information for this rebut tal, I came across a non-partisan webpage showing sections on criti cism and praise. To show the pros and cons in comparison, the site has a mere six lines of praise, and twenty-seven lines of criticism. If the U.S. is the largest benefactor of the UN, then one would think that the U.S. would pay their bills to the UN. Listed in the chart above proves the U.S. in their capitalistic mentality whereby they pay less, and get more (from the UN). Bolton's aggressive attitude certainly fell short in paying the bills, yet somehow the U.S. still has the loudest voice (unfair). Dear Editor, I understand your need to keep the Behrend populace up on the legal issues of Mr. Jonathan Demerecz, as the case is big news in Erie, but I for one would appreciate if you would tone down the sensationalist angle. When he was first arrested, you printed an immensely unflattering photograph of him and his address on the front page. Now you have put wildly inflammatory information on the front page, claiming that "multiple images of minors engaged in oral and anal inter course" were found on his computer and printing an article suggesting a strong correlation between viewing child porn and an inclination towards sexual violence. Additionally, a letter to the editor was , printed stating that "[Demerecz] is a sexual offender]" and "this guys a freak." Essentially, it seems to me that the Beacon has already tried and convicted Mr. Demerecz, despite the fact that a jury of his peers has yet to do so. Why? An article ran beneath his this past week reporting that a Behrend student was caught in the act of stealing painkillers, with the intent (admitted by the criminal) of getting high on some and selling the rest, yet no photos of the perpetrator accompanied it. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • - Specials at Jimmy Z's - Ski season - Caffeine - End of the semester! - Graduating! • •••••••••••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • r um mil Om ism mil INN Elm um— mu ism mini NM— INN m Have a Thumbs Up Thumbs Down? •••6 'Submit it to the "Thumbs up-Thumbs Down" box at the RUB I U.S. debt to the United Nations, from 2001 to 2005 Y ear Beacon Thumbs Up Beacon Thumbs Down • 44 \ ular Bud $165 million $l9O million $268 million $241 million $607 million (check a box) A few brief examples of UN inequalities in favor of the U.S. First, "The UN Peacekeeping budget is lower than the budget for the New York City police department, and the UN regular budget is less than the smallest US state budgets-Wyoming and South Dakota." Secondly, the current annual Peacekeeping budget has been approved at $5.03 billion (representing 0.5 percent of global military spending). The fis cal year budget for the United States (2004-2005) military expendi tures was $370.7 billion (more than 73 times the UN Peacekeeping budget). It is simply an oxymoron to pay mere pennies for peacekeep ing and hundreds of billions of dollars into military operations which fight wars that are the opposite of peace. Peacekee $691 million $536 million $482 million $722 million $607 million Bolton, as a representative of the United States, may in fact have been "one of the best representatives the U.S. has had in years." He epitomizes the bullheaded American viewpoint; a lack of financial responsibility, a social conscience, or a heart, as Brown evidently writes. His countless problems and bullying personality disappoint ingly represent a helpful, effective; international collaborator in which today's more pressing issues can be safely solved. I do not think that many people want to be represented by him and this bully's resigna tion is a welcome site to anyone who has a heart and the realization that others need the UN's help more than the U.S. Mr. Timothy Blackhurst held up a local family-run business at gunpoint to steal drugs. Mr. Demerecz already suffered the ignominy of the front page once; what is so special about him that he needs to be shamed again at the expense of warning the Behrend community about a man who is addicted to drugs and armed? I'd also be interested to know how many Behrend students have been pulled over for drunk driving or have multiple moving violations, with accompanying shots of the drivers and their license-plate numbers; students need to be aware when they cross Jordan Road of classmates who operate motor vehicles with utterly careless abandon. I have numerous friends who are attractive women, two of whom are rape victims; I understand fully the need for Behrend to be aware of predators. I would merely ask that your coverage of the potentially dangerous be fair rather than sensationalistic. Thank you very much for your time Sincerely, Kyle Zaffino, MIS 'OB - Rude shoppers - Backpacks on wheels - Newspapers not consistently restocked - Inconsiderate cell phone users - Saying goodbye to friends for break Friday, December 15, 2006 $B7l million $738 million $762 million $975 million $1.246 billion Total STEPHEN OYLER •• • • 4.0 10 '• desk.
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