College Republicans did not protest Nader I would like to point out a discrepancy in the story "Independent Candidate Nader Speaks to Full House" published April 26. The article states that outside the Union, student groups supporting candidates Kerry and Bush protested Nader's speech. This statement is completely inaccurate. If the reporter would have taken the time to talk with the College Republicans or even to read the signs that we held, she might have noticed that we were in fact there in SUPPORT of Nader and his quest for being placed on the Indiana presidential ballot. The College Republicans spent time organizing a group of supporters with signs and t-shirts, featuring slogans such as "Republicans for Ralph," to band together outside the Union, offsetting the protesting College Democrats. The CRs cheered and greeted those attending the speech and even provided the official sheets for Nader supporters to sign in support of Nader's name being included on the November ballot. The College Republicans believe that Nader, as an independent candidate, has the right to have his name on the presidential ballot. We recognize that he holds viewpoints unique from both Bush and Kerry on issues such as the war in Iraq, and the people that support these views have the right to vote for a candidate endorsing them. The CRs support Nader's attempts and plan to collect more signatures for him in the future. For the Indiana Daily Student to say that the CRs were protesting Nader and his speech is an outright fallacy, and we want the students to realize that, while the CRs may not support this independent candidate politically, we are in complete support of Nader being included on the ballot next fall.
Adrianne Dunlap - Freshman
Little 500 crybabies need to dry their tears When I heard results of the mens' Little 500, I wondered to myself how long it would take for the whine-fest to begin. The question was answered when I opened the April 26 copy of the Indiana Daily Student and read (ATO rider) Tom Meersman's comments in the paper. "It's like they announced who was going to win yesterday" ... "If they're not going to give us a fair shot at this ..." You had your fair shot, Tom, you just blew it when your team broke the rules. I didn't get to see the race in person, but I've seen video of the finish, and the ATO rider CLEARLY impeded the Cutters' rider. Mr. Meersman seems to be outraged that the officials actually had the audacity to enforce the rules and penalize a team that had committed an obvious infraction. I find it disgusting that ATO (or at least Mr. Meersman) didn't have the decency to simply accept accountability for the infraction, choosing instead to take the low road and invent ridiculous rationalizations for their loss. Having been a competitive and recreational cyclist for over 20 years, I've been involved in dozens of races whose outcomes were determined only after assessing penalties for rules infractions. This is a relatively common thing in cycling, not an outrageuos exception to the rule like Mr. Meersman would like us to believe. While ATO did indeed cross the line first, it was only after impeding another rider. Anyone who believes that Mr. Meersman's team earned an honest victory doesn't have a firm grasp on reality. My only advice to him is to dry his tears, put his chin up and accept the outcome like the adult he pretends to be. His cry-baby reaction and silly rationalizations do nothing but tarnish a great IU tradition and diminish his team's tremendous efforts.Carl Field - Junior
Column captures last 4 years My roommate and I could not resist writing back in response to the column we read April 27 reminding seniors of all the unforgettable IU moments we've had these past four years. Wherever Judd Arnold is, we want to let him know he hit the nail on the head with this one. I first read the article aloud at breakfast in my sorority and had my friends and me in hysterics, we couldn't believe how closely our college experiences mirrored those that were written about. As the editorial circulated around the house throughout the day though, it began to get a different response. Now every time my friends and I read it we get tears in our eyes accompanied by chills at the closing of the article. As Judd put it, life will never get any better than it has been these past four years. Thanks so much for reminding us and also for giving us a momento of these memories that we'll now never forget.Lindsay Jeffers and Carrie Watt - Seniors
Conservatives shouldn't have to apologize I found the head to head voices on the same-sex marriage piece (April 28) to be thoroughly thought provoking. I have, however, noticed a trend in society recently that was also upheld in the columns and I feel it necessary to comment on it. I am tired of people with conservative views forced to apologize for their beliefs … or if not apologize at least defend themselves vehemently. Case in point, Michael Feldman's piece against same-sex marriage spent a good portion of his writing defending the undoubtedly upcoming accusations of being close-minded. In fact the final three paragraphs of his opinion was all directed toward those in the liberal community who are too quick to disregard a person's stance by simply saying "bigot," "narrow-minded" or "hypocritical Christian." Every poll I have seen, from local to national shows that the majority of people are against same-sex marriage. Why else would both George W. Bush and John Kerry have political stances against granting marriage status to homosexual unions? Unfortunately those such as Sarah Relyea, who wrote her piece in favor of same-sex marriage, believe that one's moral views should have no place in a national legislature. She says, "This is a civil rights issue, not a religious one. What the Bible says, or what any religious text says for that matter, should not have any influence on what happens within the policies and laws of this country." She then says that there was no concept of homosexuality when the Bible was written. I ask her to check again because she must have glanced over a few parts (1 Cor. 6:9, 1 Tim. 1:10, Gen 19:5-7). I see a person's opinions as being personal. Does it matter where they come from? All opinions have origination somewhere, so why should ideals that come from religious texts be disregarded? In America, each person's vote counts as much as the next, and if people want to vote because they feel morally obligated to be against something, then they have that right. And in turn, others have no right to tell them their view is narrow-minded. Should we, as a nation, discount and disrespect a person's beliefs because they do not line up with another's lifestyle? Should we change our laws and historical practices in order to make sure people do not have to take social responsibility for their actions? So does religion have a place in politics? Yes. If the voting public is basing their lives on religious grounds then religion will have a place in politics. Separation of church and state was made to keep government out of religion and not the other way around. I applaud Mr. Feldman for stating his beliefs with conviction, and I long for the day when people like him will not have to defend their beliefs from liberal-minded people who attack such ideologies.Dan Dark - Junior
Religious freedom protects homosexuals, too While our country was founded on "Judeo-Christian beliefs," it was also founded with a First Amendment clause called Freedom of Religion, protecting U.S. citizens from the development of a theocracy. In this country, we have both civil and religious marriage, and two heterosexual atheists can go to city hall and get a marriage license, thus being afforded all the rights and protections that come along with it. Homosexuality is found in many species throughout nature. These animals and insects do not "choose to be gay" anymore than people do. Let's face it, that's not a good decision to make, because no one wants to be discriminated against. While gay people can choose to be abstinent, their sexuality is inherent, just like many medical and scientific associations report. And while it would be nice if the Full Faith and Credit Clause applied to me, a little law called the Defense of Marriage Act "protects" me from that right. I have been working longer and more than most undergraduates I know. I don't want my tax dollars going to conservative bigots any more than I want them going to pedophiles and murderers. But the great thing about Social Security is that it's meant to protect everyone, agree with their beliefs or not. Thank God marriage has changed. Fifty years ago, my aunt would not have been able to marry my uncle. and my wonderful little cousins would have never been born. Thank God women have attained the status of "partner" instead of "property." There are many more important issues in society than who I choose to love, so long as that person is a legal, consenting adult. I am proud to demonstrate to my younger siblings what a happy, healthy relationship can be like. I can only hope for the day that they will be able to watch me at my wedding.Amy Obermeyer - Junior
A call for recognition I am irate and disappointed with the lack of mention that April 23's Taste of Asia received in the Indiana Daily Student. Having personal experience for the job news writers have to go through, I would usually understand an excuse such as, "We don't have enough writers" or "Sorry, we forgot." However, this goes beyond my tolerance, especially with the advance notification our organization gave you for this event. This year was the 10th anniversary of an awesome event that the Asian American Association does to spread cultural awareness and encourage diversity on this campus. The first half of the event features performances and speakers ranging from billiards superstar Jeanette Lee (the Black Widow) and Professor Stephen Bokenkamp to the IU Kendo Club, Ataneo Glee Choir and the Malaysian Student Association. In addition, numerous student organizations representing Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, China (House) and an Asian fraternity interest group sponsored tables for the event. Above all, there was FREE ASIAN CUISINE and DRINK donated by a lot of awesome restaurants here in Bloomington! How's that for a great deal -- personally, unlike other people you like to write stories about in the IDS, I'd tear out my eyeballs before I pay 5-10 dollars for alcohol. A lot of organizations work hard to publicize their events, and I cite those groups within the close-knit Asian community we have on campus (thank you ACC and Asian Student Union) as an example. When you don't give these groups props, it's like pouring liquid cement into their mouths -- we are silenced, and we wonder how we can push ourselves to put time and effort into our future events. For the love of content and substance, please work harder to give recognition to organizations and the people who bring their guts and souls to a cause just as worthy as the one you choose to put out each day. That, not bacchanals -- is what IU should be proud to represent each and every day.Sung Ahn - Junior
Avoiding responsibility The last time I checked, America was a democracy. Since when has the American public had no control over what the government does? While I agree that the draft would be a horrible idea for PR and morale in this country, I strongly disagree with the staff's statement that it is not the U.S. citizens' fault that we are in Iraq (so reinstitution of the draft would be unfair). Where were these people before the war started? Were they one of the majority of those polled who supported the war in Iraq? Or were they sitting idly by, implying their support by their silence? We elected Bush, so he will assume we support him unless we tell him otherwise. Bush wouldn't have been so eager to have gone to war, if only more people had spoken out and protested. The apathy of the American public is not a justification for our government's actions. Maybe there should be a draft. If for no other reason, to remind people that our government's actions can and will influence their lives -- so they better be paying attention, and speak out when they disagree with those actions.Nicholas Klemen - Junior,/p> IU must denounce hate against all I applaud Dr. Nelms and the Muslim Student Union for making such strong statements in opposition to the anti-Semitic vandalism earlier this week. Such acts threaten IU's climate of inclusion and respect, and these powerful statements against the hateful acts reassure students that hate is not a value of the IU community. However, comparing Dr. Nelms' passionate response to the anti-Semitic vandalism with his editorial about the homophobic Rasmusen Web log, I noticed significant differences. He correctly labels the vandals' acts as "hateful," yet not once did Nelms describe Rasmusen's controversial Web log as hateful. Both instances denigrated and demeaned members of our community. Why is one act "hateful" and the other something we must learn to live with in the academic community? Last September, Nelms encouraged us to make the Web logs a "teachable moment" and engage in "dialogue" about "that on which we disagree." He told us "we must support the right of those we oppose the most to say what they wish." Now, however, Nelms takes a much stronger stance, as he asks us to "take a stand against hate, with our words and deeds." "Hate," he says, "whether expressed through swastikas or uncivil language ... must not be allowed to survive in our community." Where was this unshakable opposition to hate last September? Why must we tolerate and learn from homophobia, while we resolutely oppose and denounce anti-Semitism? Perhaps it's easier for Dr. Nelms to speak publicly and harshly against unknown perpetrators than it is for him to denounce hateful comments from a tenured professor in Kelley. Or perhaps homophobia doesn't register as important enough to oppose with such strident remarks. We must let go of our belief in hierarchies of oppression and realize that we must actively confront all forms of oppression (including racism, sexism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, and others), not just the ones that we feel more comfortable addressing. No one deserves to be oppressed or be a victim of hate. I hope in the future, our IU administrators will respond to ALL instances of hate on campus with this same fervor.
Jonathan Rossing - Graduate student
Call for summer volunteers Throughout this school year, many college students, like me, have been volunteering at the Shalom Center (located on 4th Street right by the church). It has really been a great experience, and contrary to what most people stereotypically think about volunteering, it is actually quite fun. Being among the people, meeting the people, helping the people and serving the people all makes for a very satisfying experience. The reason I am writing this letter to the editor, though, is not merely to say what a good time volunteering is. As most of us volunteering students return to our hometowns, we will leave the Shalom Center behind. This will cause the Center to have a major shortage of workers. I know that many students won't be going home this summer, but will be sticking around Bloomington. Some of my friends are doing this and have confided in me that they worry about having a lot of free time on their hands. I would like to challenge students in the same situation in hopes that they might be able help out the Shalom Center this summer in our absence. Even if you just go down and help out one or two times, it will still be greatly appreciated. Nothing feels better or more satisfying than a volunteer session and I think if people gave it a shot, they would agree.Joshua Long - Freshman
To the friends of Michael Green Sincere thanks to each of you for your many expressions of sympathy, your prayers, flowers, cards, e-mails, the candlelight vigil, attendance at his visitation and memorial service for Michael. He loved IU, his fraternity, all his friends -- old and new. Michael was a Christian, and we know we will never be completely separated from Michael for God gives us memories to hold in our hearts until we meet him again. We will miss his presence and his beautiful smile, but we hope you will always remember the good times you shared with Michael. May God bless all of you. Psalm 139:16 ... All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.The Family of Michael Green
