page 4
The Fourth Wall
Dear Big Mamma and
Dauther:
Going to college was a
liberating experience for me.
I’m 19 and finally able to be
an adult and not have to
answer to my parents. I intend
to explore every aspect of the
college life; I've gotten a pretty
good start this semester. Since
I’ve been here, I’ve changed a
lot. I'm not the same naive
innocent that left home in
August.
I have not been home since
the semester started and I dread
the inevitable “be responsible,
don’t drink, keep your grades
up, put your nose to the
grindstone” speech that is sure
to be repeated daily over winter
break. How can I get my
parents to realize my
independence and back off?
Sincerely,
Miss Independent
Miss Independent,
Wow, it sounds to me that
you have learned a lot and have
a new perspective on a lot of
things. If you are dreading the
speech that you think your
parents are going to give you
when you return home, let me
reassure you that you are not
alone. Parents are parents and
they will always want to know
how you are doing, if you are
happy, and about your
academic success. It’s just some
unwritten law or something.
Maybe they won't bore you to
death with the speech if you are
Dear Miss Independent,
Keep in mind that while
college is a liberating
experience for most young
people, it is a period of loss for
their parents. When children go
off to college, the umbilical
cord gets stretched tight and
eventually snaps. That can be
painful for parents who have
invested a great deal of their last
eighteen or so years worrying
about their children.
Sometimes, they ladle on the
advice when we visit them, but
that has as much to do with
what they are going through as
it does with what you are
going through. Mostly, they
want to feel as if they are still
an important part of their
children’s lives.
Try this trick: When you go
home, don’t wait for them to
start digging into your new life;
sit them down first thing and
share your college experiences
with them (well, maybe not a//
your college experiences).
Make them feel as if they are
still an important part of your
life and that you value their
advice. They'll probably be so
happy that they won't give you
any more grief the entire time
you're home.
Martina Pfeuffer
I
Just
read a
six page
U.S
the display of a nativity and
menorah in a public square
and I've come to the
conclusion that Americans
have nothing better to do than
complain about their religious
freedom and independence. It
seems we are never sated. We
have many privileges and
freedoms to be thankful for in
America.
Americanism and
nationalism go hand in hand,
gathering together as a country,
not an individual, not
certain ethnic groups, but
everyone. The few times we see
nationalism are either when
our country is threatened by
foreign powers or when a
holiday surfaces. Well, I’ve
seen plenty of car ribbon
magnets for a life time. And
isn’t it ironic how the people
who display such “patriotism”
and “nationalism” are the
same people who won't stop for
pedestrians or allow a car in
front of them on a congested
high way ramp? I guess
nationalism excludes general
civility towards other fellow
Americans?
The thought of
Christmas almost makes my
stomach turn. Americans, will
spend $160-$200 BILLION
dollars on Christmas presents
this year. That’s an estimated
$600-$800 per person (more
than two-thirds of our Defense
Budget). Many of these
presents say “Made in China”
on the label.
So what’s America
coming to? We are a nation
that spends enough in one
month to uplift a small country
from its third world standing.
We avoid civility towards
others in order to satisfy our
wants. The time we spend
slipping a few dollars into a
Salvation Army bucket is more
than enough for the entire year
and we walk away without a
thought to those who actually
will never know the meaning
of family, of kindness. It’s so
easy to turn away from the
troubles of the world. It’s so
easy to get wrapped up in
secular commercialized.
from Radio page 1
students in the evenings and
overnight; the Radio Club will
need to be able to broadcast 24/
7. Police Services is moving to
the white house next to the
chapel. This was good news for
Minich who requested this space
to set up the radio station. He is
now awaiting a decision from
Amy Cotner-Klinger and
Andrea Christopher. If the
Radio Club is denied this space,
they are guaranteed a place on
the second floor of Wiestling.
Minich hopes that the student
center will become the
communication center for Mont
Alto campus.
The radio station is not only
beneficial for students interested
in communications, but for all
students on campus interested in
music. This is an opportunity to
share different musical interests
and tastes, and to be exposed
to music you may not
otherwise have heard. So far,
thirty students have shown an
interest in the radio station.
Proposed ideas for
programming in addition to
regular news, weather, and
sports include a parody of
Howard Stern, Good
Morning Mont Alto,
Loveline, parody of Delilah,
and Metal after Midnight.
Minich hopes that students
will consider team
programming as well.
Any student interested in
the radio station can contact
Minich at bsm183@psu.edu.
The Radio Club is having a
social on Frid. Dec. 10 from
7-11 in WSC to give students
an opportunity to show their
skills.
TLEY I CUNET
CLEAR RAIFS
8
Ferman |