Thompson article too sweet to Spratling
In an SPM interview with Eric Spratling, Tyler Thompson wrote, "Whether you agree with him or not, you can't wait to read what he's going to write next."
Speak for yourself, Thompson. After reading his second column, I learned to quickly bypass anything written by Spratling. All he does is mouth the same crap that we can get from any other partisan talking heads on the television news shows.
He has not added to the conversations, only mimicked them. Furthermore, he shows his hypocrisy to his "faith" by using the term "motherf -- ers" in one of his answers.
Sounds more like "The cross around his neck is a symbol of his..." hypocrisy.
--Donald Friesner
graduate student
State Press staff praised
I just wanted to write and let your staff know how proud I am of everyone who took a stand against the ASU administration's poor attempt at censoring your newspaper.
It's nice to see students taking a stand and actually making a difference. Now go fix the parking situation.
--Stefanie Strobel
former student
When in Rome...
I'm quite amused by the Nov. 22 editorial. I can understand why the administration would be upset over images of breasts appearing in SPM. As journalists, and I do use the term loosely, you should know better than to place such images in your publications. It's just common sense.
... I find it hilarious that it is a photo that has gotten you in hot water. All along, I've been disappointed in your paper's complete lack of objectivity, ethics, and responsibility when it comes to the articles you publish. The State Press is a Petri dish for yellow journalism. Many of your "journalists" use The State Press as their own personal publication, doing nothing more than toting around dead issues that they, or their friends, are still personally involved with.
Yes, perhaps you are giving your readers what they want. The citizens of Rome enjoyed watching people get slaughtered for sport. So please, go ahead, continue giving the people what they want, oh great Caesar.
--Robert Benscoter
anthropology sophomore
Campus, State Press as they should be
Can the parents of an ASU student walk on the campus without noting the current appearance of students? Many have body piercings, tattoos and other symbols of individuality A curious adult might wonder about the meaning of some of these choices. A good campus newspaper will provide that information, even in an article that might ruffle a few feathers.
As with any regular reader, I have had occasional questions and doubts about the editorial staff of The State Press, both now and in the past few years. But I, as an avid newspaper reader with an active mind, also have similar questions and doubts about those who lead other newspapers in the country.
No newspaper of value echoes any one person's thoughts, opinions, morals or values. A newspaper of value reports what is happening in its community. That's all.
It is the choice of any donor to withhold their money if they think the University isn't spending it wisely. The University should express concern when it feels that students have gone astray, if only to be reassured that a solid thought process has gone into any controversial decision.
The student newspaper is obligated to report life as it sees it -- they're the ones with a perspective that donors, faculty and administration simply do not have.
The machine of this campus community, then, seems to be fully functional.
--Barry Spiegel
friend/relative of student
State Press misguided
I saw the picture and read your editorial, and I can effectively say that you don't have a clue who your audience is. There are many people, myself included, who found the content of the SPM issue in question offensive.
Why didn't I write a letter to the editor, you ask? Why should I? I have seen numerous letters in your paper regarding various subjects and there is little or no response and even less change.
In your editorial you state that the University could pull your funding, which wouldn't hurt, and in some kind of macho power-tripping manner claim it your right to print whatever you want. How about I get a petition going to label your offensive dribble pornographic? This would stop the distribution of such rubbish on my campus.
... Grow up. Before reading your obnoxious editorial I would have just blown it off as some overzealous students (I dare not call you reporters. Reporters of what?), but since, I am angered by your petulance.
It is true that you and your cohorts in stupidity have the power to print whatever you wish, and I as a student and citizen of this country have the power to call it indecent, pornographic in nature and unfit for distribution on campus.
--Robert Wilson
ASU student
