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| Rejoice for being able to use freedoms |
Dr. Matt Robinson
Asst. Professor, Criminal Justice
robinsnmb |
To
The Editor:
Based on recent letters to the editor from our
current and former students, we, the faculty of Appalachian State
University, are failing to provide a liberal arts education to at
least some of our students.
Many of our students are incapable of expressing informed opinions,
forming reasoned ideas and engaging in critical thinking. This is
truly sad given how hard we work to help our students develop and
use these abilities.
The letters I refer to deal primarily with the war on Iraq, claiming
that anti-war protesters do not “support our troops” and
are “unpatriotic.” The letter writers say we should not
question President Bush but rather should just fall in-line with
whatever policies he promotes.
A liberal arts education should allow our students to observe the
obvious contradictions in the above assertions. It should also allow
students to understand that just because we do not support specific
policies of our government does NOT mean that we are unpatriotic,
that being patriotic does NOT require pledging unquestioned allegiance
to our leader, and that it is possible to be against a war and still
“support out troops.”
Personally, I want all of our students to rejoice whenever they
see ANY gathering of citizens utilizing their constitutional freedoms.
Even if you disagree with what the group is lobbying for, consider
what makes America so great is that they have the right to assemble
peacefully and express their opinions.
Consider this irony: we are fighting battles in Iraq in “Operation
Iraqi Freedom” so Iraqis can enjoy the same freedoms that we
enjoy, yet you want Americans not to practice those same freedoms?
It is past time for our students move beyond parroting talk show
rhetoric. This is inconsistent with the liberal arts education taxpayers
provide.
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| Comments will reflect on your country |
Michelle Thick
Graduate Student
thickm |
To
The Editor:
This is in reply to Jana Nordstrand’s column
“Patriotic while studying overseas, staying safe,” April
3.
As an English student at Appalachian I object to the final statement
made by Ms. Nordstrand in her column.
I agree that many English people are not happy at being dragged
into a war by Tony Blair against the wishes of the majority of population
and indeed his own party. But from conversations with my friends
and family in England I know that people are rallying behind our
troops.
Just because many British people do not agree with George W. Bush
this does not make them anti-American, and I would be deeply ashamed
of anyone who would attack all Americans because of the policies
of their government.
However, it is comments like “unlike many people in England,
at least I know all the words to my national anthem,” that
provokes anti-American feelings in people. Ms. Nordstrand seems
to have forgotten that ASU does have a large international community
and, therefore, I was not the only person who was offended by her
comment. Ms. Nordstrand needs to remember that she is an ambassador
for her country while abroad and the impression she makes on people
will reflect on her country.
However, if she continues to make comments that only show her immaturity
and stupidity she will have brought any hostilities on herself.
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| SGA helps students, tries to do
right thing |
Stacie Harris
Freshman
SGA senator
266-4006 |
To
The Editor:
I am a senator for the Student Government Association.
Some of the members of minority religious groups are upset at how
SGA decided to postpone the voting on a bill that would allow for
certain religious freedom. These people do not realize that we helped
them because, without a rules report, the administration would not
look as highly on this bill.
Also, what they need to realize is that there is a campus-wide rule
not to allow candles in residence halls. This rule will not be changed
in the course of this year alone.
If it is passed it will not even be put into place until next fall.
So the one week that we had to put it off is only going to help
and you will have to wait the same amount of time, no matter if
we did it last week or this week or even next week.
I do not think that many people on senate disagree with the bill
or will oppose it when we vote on it we are just trying to do what
is right.
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| Soldiers fight for our right to
freedom |
Daniel Inman
Student
DI32011 |
To
The Editor:
As a former and current student of Appalachian
State University and member of the Armed Forces, I want to throw
my two cents in the mix.
I have been deployed for two months causing me to put my entire
life on hold for a fight with which I do not totally agree.
Yet, I am a proud member of the Armed Forces and have been for several
years.
As this is my second deployment, I would like to stress the fact
that this not only changes me, the soldier, it changes my friends,
family and loved ones as well.
I will not be the same person when I get back that I was two months
ago.
I would like to thank the editorial board for writing the April
8 Our Perspective “Support our troops, even if not the actions,”
because that is how the majority of soldiers in my current unit
feel. People around the country and the nation treat us like we
are beneath them, and yet we fight for their right to say and do
as they please.
Without us, the citizens of our country would be like those of so
many countries, just striving to get by. For without us, there could
be no United States of America.
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| Ignorance must stop, support our
right |
Eli Ferrari
Sophomore
EF54063 |
To
The Editor:
This is in response to the March 27 letter to
the editor, “Ignorance must stop, support Bush.”
Being an American is being able to support any side of the spectrum
he or she wishes. Protesting with signs on a corner is part of a
person’s right to express himself.
The government is not a separate entity to the citizens but a representation
to protect each person’s natural rights.
Why is a sign stating “How many deaths for oil?” not a
valid question? Oil may not be the full reason for this war but
it will be part of the aftermath.
Since troops and citizens on both sides have been killed in this
war, oil is a part of it.
I support the troops over there and support them by wanting them
home and away from danger. The leaders waging this war are what
I do not support. That is my right. |
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