|
Opinion
Pursuit
of accuracy
After
errors, we will implement measures to boost quality of newspaper
Our Perspective
- The Appalachian Editorial Board
The role of a student
newspaper is to inform, educate and entertain its readers in a truthful
and accurate manner. The Appalachian has fallen short of this in our first
three issues, and we apologize to our readers.
A story entitled
ÓCounty deals blow to Highlands takeoverÓ that appeared in the Aug. 21
issue as well as an editorial entitled ÒOversight to blame for Highlands
rulingÓ that appeared in the Aug. 23 issue failed to clearly indicate
the specific subject of the ruling handed down by the Watauga County Commissioners
regarding the Appalachian State Housing Corporation (ASHC) and the University
Highlands apartment complex.
Both pieces in question
should have noted the commissionersÕ decision dealt only with the tax-exempt
status of the property.
The story and the
editorial should have also contained the fact that the ASHC itself was
granted tax-exempt status by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and the
State of North Carolina.
The Watauga County
Commissioners were in no way involved in this decision.
We apologize to our
readers for this unclear reporting.
While we acknowledge
and regret this inaccurate presentation of the facts, the editorial board
feels its stance is a valid one. That said, in our efforts to take a firm
position regarding the county commissionersÕ ruling, we used language
that was overzealous and insulting to those charged with making decisions
for the ASHC.
We apologize for
this rhetoric and any ill feelings that may have resulted.
Publishing inaccurate
and unclear information is not the goal or intent of the student journalists
who comprise the staff of this newspaper.
However, as is the
case each year, this publication has a large number of new and somewhat
inexperienced staff members who are just beginning to learn the needed
skills to be student-journalists.
In the days immediately
ahead, we will begin a program of additional training designed to give
our reporters the skills needed to present stories in a more clear, concise
and accurate manner.
This training, coupled
with a more focused direction of coverage, will allow The Appalachian
to better serve its primary function as a learning opportunity for student
journalists, photographers, designers and editors.
We would like to
thank our readers for bearing with us as we begin to correct these problems.
We hope you will
continue to support our efforts to produce the best newspaper possible.
Condit
raises questions of credibility
Sean Oakley
Representative Gary
Condit spoke with Connie Chung on ABCÕs ÒPrimetime LiveÓ Thursday night
after four months of silence.
With most of the
nation listening for some sign of integrity or honesty from the secretive
congressman, Condit managed not only to squirm his way around direct questions,
but also he committed political suicide.
In fact, according
to Condit, not only is the media flagrantly attacking him, but also Anne
Marie Smith and the Washington, D.C., police are lying.
Moreover, Chandra
Levy simply misunderstood him.
When asked if his
relationship with Levy was sexual, Condit coldly answered, ÒIÕve been
married for 34 years, and IÕve not been a É a perfect man, and IÕve made
my share of mistakes.
ÒBut, um, out of
respect for my family and out of a specific request from the Levy family,
I think itÕs best that I not get into those details, uh, about Chandra
Levy.Ó
Even worse, he restated
this answer verbatim three more times during the 30-minute interview.
In an interview Friday
night on ÒLarry King Live,Ó ConditÕs attorney, Abbe Lowell, criticized
Chung when he said, ÒIÕm disappointed that she decided in a 30-minute
interview to spend, I guess, about 10 minutes over and over again, asking,
ÔWhy wonÕt you tell us the s-word? Why wonÕt you just say it on my show?ÕÓ
But letÕs be honest
here, the question of a sexual relationship was one of the first questions
Chung asked.
Had Condit answered,
the rest of the interview wouldnÕt have revolved around trying to drag
the truth out of him.
During the interview,
Condit also commented, ÒI think the American people understand that people
are entitled to some privacy.Ó
But in fact, according
to a ÒFox NewsÓ poll, 57 percent of the voters in Modesto and Sacramento,
Ca., ConditÕs district, would not vote for him again.
Forty-four percent
stated that he should resign.
Even ConditÕs constituents
are cutting ties.
Minority leader Rep.
Richard Gephardt, the top democrat in the House, called ConditÕs remarks
during the interview with Chung Òdisturbing and wrong.Ó
ÒIÕm disappointed,Ó
Gephardt said. ÒI think the most important thing in life and certainly
in politics is credibility and I think, you know, if you want to be credible
youÕve got to be straightforward.Ó
Yet, easily the most
ridiculous statement I have heard during the wake of the interview came
from Lowell during his appearance on ÒLarry King Live.Ó
ConditÕs attorney
said, ÒCongressman Condit is almost the essential definition of a member
of the House of Representatives. He was what I think the Founders had
in mind.Ó
What the Founders
had in mind was a government by the people, for the people. They had in
mind elected officials who owed both their position and service to the
American people.
Defenders of Condit
have repeatedly stated that the details of ConditÕs relationship with
Levy are not the important issue and Condit owes this information to the
police, not the American public.
Number one, this
is an issue of credibility.
If Condit can lie
about an affair, what else can he lie about?
And for those who
find this scandal to be rather Clintonesque, letÕs remember that Monica
Lewinsky wasnÕt missing.
Condit is a public,
elected official. What did he expect when he ran for office? Although
he constantly states he has done everything that an average American would
be obliged to do in his situation, and even thatÕs not certain, heÕs not
an average American. He is a congressman, supposedly one of the leaders
of this country and is a servant of the American people, which he seems
to have forgotten.
Once his personal
affairs turn into a national scandal, the American people have a right
to know the truth.
Green
Party advocat healthy growth
Anthony DeBetta
Everyday I hear people
complaining.
People are fed up
with high taxes, bureaucracy, corrupt government and politicians.
Voters and citizens
are constantly faced with the problem that they must choose between the
lesser of two evils.
The 2000 election,
although marred with distortion and depravity on behalf of the two major
parties, showed us there are still people who want to evoke positive change
in our society.
Ralph Nader, longtime
consumer advocate and Green Party presidential candidate, brought issues
to light that neither of the corporate-controlled parties would touch,
like the failing war on drugs, rampant globalization, corporate welfare,
the dismal state of our environment and meaningful campaign finance reform.
For reform-minded
voters, the Nader campaign was the light at the end of a dark tunnel,
and the catalyst for the resurrection of our democracy and grassroots
reform.
The momentum sparked
by the Nader campaign is alive and well on our campus.
The Appalachian State
University Green Party is currently campaigning for Bob Flora, a local
construction company owner, for the Boone Town Council.
The election will
take place Tuesday, Oct. 9, and the Green Party is actively seeking volunteers
to help with this huge undertaking.
One of FloraÕs goals
includes keeping an asphalt plant out of Boone in order to preserve not
only the areaÕs scenic beauty but also the health and well-being of its
citizens. The Green Party would also like to see bike lanes and sidewalks
created and maintained by the Town of Boone in order to cut down on air
pollution and BooneÕs infamous parking problem.
Another goal of the
Green Party is to see Boone set up a board to look out for renterÕs rights,
an issue near and dear to many college students. The board would function
similarly to the Better Business Bureau and offer renters different options
in finding affordable housing and help alleviate grievances between renters
and landlords.
Flora, a Boone resident
for 17 years, wants the town of Boone to be more responsive to the needs
of students and permanent residents. ÒI would like to see smart, orderly,
healthy growth for Boone,Ó Flora said.
Flora feels that
Appalachian State University and Boone have a lot to offer each other
and hopes to foster a more cordial relationship between the two.
Aside from running
The Flora Construction Company, 57-year-old Flora is active with the campus
Green Party and the Appalachian Solar Club.
According to Dr.
Kristin Andrews, faculty advisor for the campus Green Party, the party
represents positive change. ÒWe want to give rights back to the people,Ó
said Andrews. ÒThe two major political parties and corporations are taking
power from you. We want to bring democracy back to the people.Ó
The Green Party will
hold a fundraiser Sunday, Sept. 9 from 3-6 p.m. at The Jones House on
King Street to help with their expansion and FloraÕs Campaign.
There will be music
and entertainment and some food will be provided. People are encouraged
to bring a dish to share.
The cost is $5 for
students and $10 for the public. Anyone interested can call Dr. Andrews
at 262-3089.
People interested
in making Boone a better place should cast their vote for Bob Flora on
Oct. 9. Concerned citizens can make this the first step towards greater
change.
|
