The Daily Collegian Poor discretion Banning all nonacademic clubs increases animosity toward gays Last week, the Salt Lake City Board of Education banned all nonacademic clubs in its schoolg, a move they believed would ensure the community's safety from the formation of a gay stu dent club. Roughly 70 percent of the con stituents in the area are Mor mons, whose church condemns homosexuality. Opposed to letting gay students have their own club, community leaders opted to cur tail the freedom of all students. School board members argued that they were in a bind. They had to choose between two methods of defense. Permit all extracurricu lar clubs allowing gay students to run amok or eliminate them all. In a 4-3 vote, the school board members decided to go with the latter. As a result, no student in the school district would be able to participate in his or her special interest, hobby, activity, ideology and so forth, within the confines of their educational system unless that activity is school-relat ed. And federal law provides that they had every right to go the route they did, according to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the board cited in their decision. But while they legitimately The opinions page is an open forum for discussion for the entire Penn State community. Diverse viewpoints in columns, reader forums and letters to the editor are encouraged to promote an ongoing intellectual dialogue on issues important to our readers. dn;Collegian Wednesday, Feb. 28, 1996 ©1996 Collegian Inc. Editor in Chief Courtney Caims Business Manager Randy Abrams The Daily Collegian's editorial opinion is deter mined by its Board of Opinion, with the editor holding final responsibility. Opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not nec essarily those of The Daily Collegian, Colle gian Inc. or The Pennsylvania State University. Collegian Inc., publishers of The Daily Colle gian and related publications, is a separate corporate institution from Penn State. Complaints: News and editorial complaints should be presented to the editor. Business and advertising complaints should be presented to the business manager. If a complaint is not satisfactorily resolved, some grievances may be filed with the Accuracy and Fair Play Committee of Collegian Inc. Beware Bubba's scapegoat in January 1993, William Jeffer son Clinton arrived in Washing ton to the melodies of Fleet wood Mac, claiming the first 43 percent "mandate" in U.S. history. "Don't...stop...thinking about tomor...row." Clinton was to be the next John F. Kennedy. He would bring an end to a Republican era and to their alleged oppression of the American people. His campaign was brilliant, manipulating a vague economic picture, aggravating class envy to new levels of resentment and yet promising a renewed "camelot." Moderate and disaffected voters had elected Bill Clinton. Most Republicans didn't believe the "Clintonese" and to us, remem bering the ultimate futility of the Bush campaign and recalling the Clinton inauguration are still pro foundly painful. Mickey Mouse '96 remains more attractive than Clin ton '96. But to moderates, election deci sions are less clear-cut, perhaps simply because "fence-sitting" defines a more objective viewpoint than that of the die-hard Republi can or lifelong Democrat. On one hand, the next John F. Kennedy is now a sad hybrid of used the proper channels of Unit ed States law, their judgment is questionable. Banning all nonacademic stu dent groups is regressive. It does not simply silence the gay com munity in an attempt to conform to community standards. It stirs animosity among students, which many will direct toward the gay students whom they will regard as the cause of their suffering. This move will not improve community relations or enhance the social environment. Rather, it deprives all students of their free dom of expression a right that is just as inalienable as the board's right to disband organiza tions. Most high school clubs are productive, stimulating supple ments to the regular curriculum, and nobody has the right to take away what they judge to be too unwholesome. The board showed poor discre tion by eliminating each and every aspect of its students' extracurricular lives based on the fact that they disapprove of a small fraction of them. If you would like to comment on this issue, please write to: Salt Lake Tribune; Attn. Reader's Forum; 143 S. Main St.; Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Information on filing grievances is available from Gerry Lynn Hamilton, executive secretary, Collegian Inc. Letters Policy: The Daily Collegian encourages com ments on news coverage, editorial policy and Univer sity affairs. Letters must be typewritten, double spaced and no longer than two pages. Forums must also be typewritten, double-spaced and no longer than three pages. Students' letters should include semester standing, major and campus of the writer. Letters from alumni should include the major and year of graduation of the writer. All writers should provide their address and phone number for verification of the letter. Let ters should be signed by no more than two people. Names may be withheld on request. The Collegian reserves the right to edit letters for length and to reject letters if they are libelous or do not conform to standards of good taste. Because of the number of letters received, the Collegian cannot guarantee publication of all the letters it receives. Let ters may also be selected for publication in The Weekly Collegian. All letters received become the property of Collegian Inc. Any letters or forums may be submitted via electron ic mail at: jtaloB@psuvm.psu.edu Letters and forums from University Park and State College: Please deliver any submissions in person at the office of The Daily Collegian; 123 S. Burrowes St. All authors must be present with picture identification. My opinion tip Bill Lalor Teddy Kennedy and Lyndon John son; he has elevated the political flip-flop to an art form, and his trial balloons leave us all wonder ing if he has any values beyond those of his domineering, pseudo- Presidential wife. Camelot has become a poor Mel Brooks slap stick. But then he's so darn energetic and charismatic. And he really has n't screwed up in a while. And Republicans are hard to predict. And Dole is so old. And Clinton can "feel the pain" because he's on MTV, just like we wanted. And... Watch out. Bubba's 1996 cam paign is once again aimed at you, the "fence-sitters." They know what you're thinking. Their strate- 1.1(i) • • • iitor ‘,- Mutual understanding Since when are we in a contest to see who has the "best" culture? What is so threatening about learning that there is more than one way to live a life or view the world? Multiculturalism is not a political platform, it is a fact. We live in a Multicul tural society, even out here in Central Pennsylvania. The University believes that students should spend a few weeks study ing other ways of living to help prepare themselves to live in a multicultural world. Such requirements have long been consid ered an important element of the broad education that is a tradition in the United States. Actually, here at Penn State, this requirement pre-dates the term "multicul tural:" when I studied here as an under graduate in the late seventies, these six credits were known as the "other cultures" requirement "others" being understood as "non-Western." Is anyone asking you to convert to any of these cultures? Is anyone trying to con vince you that these "other" cultures are superior to your own? They ought not to be. However, it may be pointed out in the courses that mainstream America has made and continues to make some mistakes. You may learn that other cul tures have found solutions to problems that plague mainstream America. You may even learn that ranking cultures serves no constructive purpose. For all your emphasis on the individual, don't forget that you and 220 million other individuals make up a nation that never has been and never will be homogeneous. The survival and prosperity of this nation depends on the willingness of individuals to maintain a sense of mutual understand ing of different perspectives. We don't necessarily have to agree with those other perspectives, but we need to be informed in order to be able to respect each other as individuals and work together. You asked for it You asked for it Miss Blynn! You dan gled the bait out with that "Friends" bash ing article and didn't realize you opened a can of whoop-ass in the process. Unlike gy? Create a bleak picture of Americana, blame the Republicans, and tell us how they'll fix the "problems," both real and con trived. It worked for Team Bubba in 1992, and it might just work again. They're baaack. Step one is already in progress. The America that you see hides the symptoms of its "problems." The state of the nation is as such despite the liberal President(s), not because of him (them). In 1992, some faced economic hardship, a pre-supposed inadequate health care system, and widespread inner city violence. And the Clinton cam paign convinced you that these were suddenly "epidemics" and "crises." Again in 1996, you'll see afflicted children and hear sound bytes of truly sad stories of unemployed fathers or of the apparently falter ing American dream. They will be sad and touching to all of us. But are these anecdotes a legiti mate basis for effective national policy? They certainly make us feel bad. Clinton wants you to suc cumb to your emotion and to sign on to a rehash of Jimmy Carter's "national malaise." 4 ""'"" E - MAIL rvi revr,v ,vaers' /0 0 0 t'Stl. EN, Lynn Palermo graduate-French campaign for 'fence-sitters' His government is his solution. If you're convinced, you'll look for a scapegoat. Republicans abandon those chil dren, Team Bubba will say. The Contract With America will soon replace "the 80's" as the overused liberal icon for Republican "greed." Three years ago, Bill Clin ton convinced us that Republicans were to blame and assured us all that twelve years of a conservative executive branch was at fault. Now, he'll blame the Republican legislature. "Don't...stop...thinking about tomor...row." Finally, Team Bubba will try to convince you that the "party of the people" will solve all these real and contrived problems. Clintonese suggests that life in America is a continuous episode of the A-Team. Remember? The face less and nameless extras on the set (the American public) helplessly watched the righteous SWAT (Democrats) slug it out with the evil, fiendish thugs (Republicans). The SWAT's leader (Bill Clinton) is aloof and without direction, and yet is charismatic enough to disguise his own incompetence. And now that elections are here there are 7 7 1 7 A e . that jumble of words you tried to pass off as an opinions column, this response serves to call you more than just a "moron." First of all, my confused freshman writer, if I may quote the great George Carlin here for a moment: "There are two knobs on the television. One of them turns it on and off. And the other one changes the station." Imagine that, you can actually change the station! Its part of freedom of choice and it was one of the principles this coun try was founded on." Now, I'll admit I watch "Friends" on Thursday nights. And, I'm not ashamed to do so. But I don't understand why those of you that don't (or did and stopped) are downing everyone else who does? I'm sorry if reruns of NOVA or Body Piercing Digest don't hold my attention. After a tough week of hitting the books and sleep ing in class, I need a good laugh (and not just from re-reading your column). And as far as "Only the strong" resisting the appeal of "Friends," I have a few questions on strength for Miss Blynn the Historian: First of all, you quote Bob Marley (a great man and one hell of a musician), now let me return the favor. The Great Marley also said "Stand up for your rights." So I am. Second (sticking with the music quotes) Tom Petty said "You don't know how it feels to be me." Who gave you the right to play FCC and exert dictatorial power over student viewing? It takes a stronger per son to suggest alternatives than to simply point the finger and complain. I realize that by that logic I, too, am guilty, but screw it. I won't cry myself to sleep tonight over it. Are you strong enough to say that? Third, "Friends" is not the only show were women all want to be on it and the men drool and dream of performing illicit sexual acts on the female cast members. This has been a phenomenon that dates back to when you were in diapers just a few short years ago. The recent return of "The Dukes of Hazzard" jogged my memo ry on how I used to crawl into the family car through the window and wish I could take Daisy for a little spin in the General Lee. And I ask you what's wrong with that?? The purpose of television is to entertain and inform its audience. Did you more players on both sides like that special A-Team episode when Mr. T brought along his body-build ing pals. Oh, and yes, the SWAT and their fearless leader are them selves convicts. The similarities are striking. Republicans surely are not per fect. Dole lacks charisma and for that matter a recognized platform. Buchanan is construed as a bit extreme. Alexander is terribly reminiscent of another southern state president. The issues will become jumbled in political rhetoric. But don't let the Clintonese create that familiar, overused facade of good-inten tioned liberal humanitarianism. Fundamental issues persevere. Is it better to give a poor man a handout of one fish or a bucket of fish? Or is it better to teach that man to fish for himself? Do we measure policy "success" by the number who sign on to welfare or by how many we help to begin productive working lives? Should the standard of living afforded by public assistance be greater than that of the working poor? Is government the solution to our problems? Or are we? This is not the A-Team. We solve problems by ourselves in this coun vorz- Foe NE/ 1 ,-. ort Aal\ ~,.....0..... M E 1 o iIIAIII iiir us atill . c __, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 1996 cis OP forget to check if it was a COMEDY show or were you too strong to open the TV Guide? I don't mean to come off as harsh, but you asked for it and I felt it was my responsibility to put you back in your place. Just as when you speak in real life, one must think before writing. Your fellow opinions writers discuss important issues like USG and student apathy. You choose to bash those figures "flickering" on the pretty screen. I, for one, am disappointed. If I may quote the immortal Timothy Pryor: "Friends. How many of us have them. Not you!" I look forward to your next article. Have a nice day. Racist policies We all know the University claims to be opposed to racism. Yet Penn State present ly runs an "Affirmative Action" program which institutionalizes racism, by explicit ly establishing a policy of race- and ethnic ity-based admissions and hiring practices. For example, I personally receive "spe cial treatment" by virtue of being an "His panic." This "special treatment" consists of (1) lower standards for admission and (2) eligibility for special scholarships. It is quite clear these are racist policies! President Spanier: Does Penn State run these "Affirmative Action" programs merely to comply with federal and state laws in order thereby to become eligible for government education subsidies? Or does Penn State have some hidden agenda for such obvious acts of hypocrisy? Rafael Garcia graduate-physics try. That's what is called "free dom." And whether Bill Clinton admits it, character is an issue. For four years, the daily spectacle has included: Gennifer Flowers, Paula Jones, and a forgotten hotel room visit. Whitewater. Travelgate. Whitewa ter. Webster Hubbel and his pals. Whitewater. President Hillary Clin ton. Whitewater. Her secret health care meetings. Whitewater. His draft-dodging at Oxford. Whitewa ter. "I didn't inhale". Whitewater. The curious Vince Foster "suicide." Whitewater. Lost and found files. Whitewater, Whitewater, Whitewa ter. "Yesterday's gone. Yesterday's gone." But his lack of character perse veres. If we want a spectacle, we can watch Fleetwood Mac or a three-ring circus. Bill Clinton's failed presidency shouldn't be a part of the act. The choice is yours. Bill Lalor is a senior majoring in accounting and a Collegian colum nist. His E-mail address is bxll2o@psu.edu Mali Matthew Otstot junior-journalism
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