Dear Editors:
Life, being as it is, often demands that we focus our attention upon every-day survival.
Challenging the status quo, moving the end zone marker or simply raising your voice to be
counted upon for the less-than-desirable assignment are often not the norm. We are, after all,
more than busy in our day-to-day minutia. Yet, railing against the norm appears to be exactly
what you and your staff have done. I write of your wonderful achievement in giving The Capital
Times the life it so richly deserves.
I remember this publication when it was as commonplace as a sheet of paper. Lackluster appear
ance, boorish topics, predictable rantings, the student publication was merely an instrument.
Exactly for what or for whom at that time I imagine we could argue until the beer truck runs dry.
You have changed it all.
The clean typeface, the crisp layout, the overall quality ... as the saying goes, “It’s all good.”
Yet, I must take note that this vast improvement did not come easily. I know you worked
extremely hard to refine this publication. I saw your effort first-hand. I listened to your frustra
tions and witnessed the circles under your eyes on more than one occasion. Still, you braved the
torrent of apathy and continued ever forward.
Your stories have focused on student concerns and, when needed, opened the political vein of
this campus in order to show the true color of the collective’s blood. You have championed the
causes, cajoled the fools and brutishly waived the red cloth in the face of more than one bull.
Through it all, you never lost sight of your mission or your sense of humor.
Through it all,you have maintained a sense of dignity, compassion and common sense. Through
it all, it also seems you never received the accolade you so richly deserve.
Before you leave us, know, however, that you do not go silently into that good night. While you
may pursue your dreams elsewhere, you leave this campus with the cressendo of your orchestra
tion. I may not speak for students or faculty, but I—for one—am proud of what you have made
of this publication.
It’s not much of an accolade, but I offer what is in my power to give.
THANK YOU.
Sincerely,
J. Michael Sheldon
Will the war with Iraq be a moral war? The answer is no. There is no morality involved.
The war we fight with Iraq will be due to a simple collision of interests. We do not want
Iraq to have nuclear weapons because that will mean we have to negotiate with Iraq on
equal terms.
We are not going to Iraq to save i’s people. If the people of Iraq were of primary con
cern we would have ended the sanctions many years ago. The sanctions on Iraq have only
hurt the civilians. The sanctions have also hurt the United States. We pride ourselves as
champions of the people, trying to do more good than harm. But the continued sanctioning
has not had the desired effect. They should have ended a long time ago and an alternate
course of action should have been planned.
We are not going to Iraq to defend democracy. We, in fact, often do not defend democra
cy, or the will of the people. In Iran, we upheld the Shah’s rule, which was a brutal dicta
torship. In Afghanistan, we aided the Taliban against the Russians. The point? We aid the
regimes that better serve our purposes first, whatever that regime may be.
The only principles of Life, Liberty, and Property we are defending are our own. But pos
sibly, this is how it should be. I want the United States government to look out for my well
being, and the well being of my friends and family. But let us not hide behind false convic
tions.
If we want to champion democracy, then we must champion democracy. Even if a
democracy is less favorable to our interests than another regime we must support it.
Continued on page 4
" capital times
r— — ~ - ----
Issue No.I, Volu
Monday, September
CONT
Features—
Tuition Rises
by Rachel Sheperd
PSU Football
by Pete SfreHa
Welcome Weeken
by Stacy De Angelo
Drinking Party Shut
by Stacy De Angelo
New Housing
by Robert Trishman
Around C<
SO A
by Stacy De Angelo
The Instigator
by Capital Times Staff Member
Speak Out
by Amy Shur
Police Report
by Stacy De Angelo
Calendar
by Sarah Elkalban
Entertai
UUU Rocks Us Us Us
by Stacy De Angelo
CD Review
by John N. Hemsley
Please tell our adv*
saw It 111 th
Cover design- Stacy De Angelo