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The Appalachian | Archives | 2001-2002

COMMENTARY

Actions speak louder than consumer spending

Chris Bohle

I am beginning to worry about how America has been using all of its newfound patriotism lately, something that holds even more importance for us, the younger generation.

Following Sept. 11, an outbreak of everything American spread like wildfire throughout the country. People went out and bought flags, shirts, hats—anything they could get their hands on. And when the stores ran out of merchandise, other measures were taken, like the Pennsylvania man who had a flag shaved into his hair or the Florida woman who painted her horse, Captain, in stars and stripes.

This is all fine and dandy—it was a great indication of Americans’ very patriotic response to the terrorist attacks.

But when covering your car in American flag magnets becomes more important than actually paying attention to the latest international news and taking civic action, it spells trouble, and I believe that we are currently bordering on that line.

I think it is time to put away our Uncle Sam sweatpants and star-spangled earrings and focus our patriotic urges toward more useful pursuits than the hoarding of red, white and blue products.

It is a well-known fact that the participation of younger people in the civic and political forums has been on the decline over the past 30 years. In the early 1970s, about half of 18- to 29-year-olds voted in presidential elections. By 2000, fewer than one third did.

A lesser-well-known fact is one unearthed by the University of California at Los Angeles in a study of college freshmen that has been going on for over 35 years. They discovered that in 1966, 60.3 percent of freshmen thought keeping up with politics was important, while last year, that number was 28 percent.

Now this could possibly be because many young Americans today see the political system as a corrupt monster, but I will not speculate on that any further.

The point is this: The majority of young Americans, myself included, take this country for granted. We believe that since we live in a sound, stable country now, it will stay like this forever.

On the contrary, this stability must be renewed with every generation—in other words, we can’t kick back and watch the show.
Soon, the reins of the country will be in our hands and becoming politically engaged will be more important than ever. And what better time to start than right now, when we must respond positively and forcefully against an enemy that has underestimated this country’s strength.

The terrorist attacks have given everyone, not just young people, a chance to become involved and help out the country. But it seems to me the patriotism that surged so strongly for several months has lately deteriorated to an apathetic attitude that claims “if I slap a $1.50 sticker on my backpack, I’m helping out the country.”

We (the younger generation especially) must continue to assist and support America’s institutions, or else the loyalty and devotion that was so common in 2001 will slowly fade and return to the cynicism that many Americans, young ones in particular, used to feel towards our political organizations.

COMMENTARY

Grammy’s: Who’s the best out of a bad bunch?

Becky DiVerniero

I love music. It can soothe, excite or inspire. I can be having the worst day, slide in one of my corny pop CDs and feel better before I get halfway through a track. I can even relieve pent-up aggression or anger by throwing in a hard rock album and screaming along with the band. I’m pretty sure that without music, I’d go insane.

The Grammy Awards are coming up soon, Feb. 27 to be exact. I didn’t think it was a great year for music, though; it seemed to me that everything that was “new” sounded exactly like the old stuff. It was just a very stale year.

There were a few highlights, however. Michael Jackson, who I grew up listening to, came out with a new album this past October. It wasn’t the best thing he’s ever done, and he looks more frightening now than ever, but it wasn’t bad, and it brought me back to my childhood, back when I used to listen to “Thriller” non-stop.

The pop genre is beginning to take a hit, which was another highlight this year. I guess people are finally getting tired of listening to garbage.
I’m not going to lie; I have an *Nsync CD or two, but it’s because they’re upbeat and fun, not because I think it’s great music.
Personally, I’d live if they weren’t around.

There are a bunch of different awards being given out this year, so I thought I’d share MY picks for a few of them, given the nominees listed on the Grammy Web site.

For Best Music Video, I would have to choose “Weapon of Choice,” by Fatboy Slim. I love that video. Watching Christopher Walken dance around is probably one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen, and I’m still not tired of seeing it. Even though it wasn’t nominated, Blink 182’s “The Rock Show” deserves something; those guys are awesome.

Best Rap Song by a Group or Duo would have to go to P. Diddy, Black Rob and Mark Curry for “Bad Boys for Life.” I really don’t like Puff Daddy, or whatever you want to call him, but I actually like this song, and he got major points for putting Ben Stiller, one of my favorite comedians, in the video.

Kid Rock should win Best Rock Album by a landslide, but unfortunately his CD came out too late to be considered for this year’s awards. I enjoyed his first big album, “Devil Without a Cause,” but I was amazed when I heard his new one. He’s changed his style tremendously and did it very gracefully.

Although Best New Artist tends to be the kiss of death, I’d still have to choose the hard rock band Disturbed. If you’ve never heard of them, then think of Korn, only angrier and more violent. They’re definitely the best thing to listen to if you need to get out some aggression.

The overall Song of the Year needs to go to The Dave Matthews Band for “The Space Between,” even though it’s not nominated. It’s one of the few songs that can make me feel all mushy inside.

Finally, Record of the Year belongs to Linkin Park. They are an incredible band, and I listen to that album all the time, no matter what mood I’m in.

So, I guess next Thursday evening you can watch and see the real winners. I plan to watch something else, staying in my fantasy world where people who actually deserve to win do and where a large boulder falls on Britney Spears during her acceptance speech.

OUR PERSPECTIVE

MTV vs. tuition

All attention on the Appalachian State University campus several days ago was firmly focused on one room.

Students lined the hallway, peering inside while blocking pedestrian traffic for several hours.

Staff members followed orders as they intently guarded the door in an attempt to keep the procedures as orderly and secretive as possible.

A jolt of anxious fervor swept across the Appalachian State University campus, engulfing a large portion of the student body.

Some were so adamant about what was unfolding inside the room they opted to skip class and participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

While we would like to report this widespread student energy was channeled toward a protest of Friday’s Board of Trustees vote on a proposed $150 tuition proposal that would drive student charges up $921 from this year’s level, that was not the case.

This collective outpouring of interest was instead directed at an MTV casting call for an upcoming Boone-taped episode of “Road Rules.”

We find it embarrassing and feel it is a dismal commentary on our generation that pursuing 15 minutes of fame on MTV is more important than uniting against a proposal that—if approved by the UNC Board of Governors March 6—would produce a one-year increase in tuition and fees that would come within $61 of equaling the fall 2000 tuition rate.

Just as revolting as students’ apathetic view of the increase proposal is the fact university officials have become overly dependent on student dollars.

This administration and the current incarnation of the Board of Trustees have fallen into a troubling yet repetitive pattern over the last several years:

• Problem 1: Faculty recruitment and retention can only be attained by offering more competitive wages.

Solution: Generate the needed funds via a tuition increase.
• Problem 2: Officials claim Appalachian needs a new recreation center.

Solution: Up student fees to fund the cost of the facility.
• Problem 3: A portion of the university’s hard working—but lowest paid—staff members deserve a salary increase.

Solution: Ignore the fact those wage hikes are usually funded by way of state allocations and collect the needed monies by increasing tuition by another $150 next year.

This mindset—which has infested the entire University of North Carolina system—serves as nothing more than an unrespectful slap in the face of a state constitutional mandate that a higher education in North Carolina be as inexpensive as possible.

Students had an opportunity to send a clear message to the trustees Friday but failed to do so.

All hopes of stopping this unjust tuition increase proposal now rest on attempts by the Student Government Association to organize a protest at the March 6 Board of Governors tuition meeting in Chapel Hill.

We question how much interest the organization will receive from the student body.

After all, university administrators have merely threatened to up student tuition and fees by a combined $912 next year.

After the past week’s events, it is clear the only move that would generate a student protest would be if those officials threatened to delete MTV from the campus and local cable systems.
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