RETAINING THAT PARTY SCHOOL IMAGE
(In response to Emily Beckley’s Oct. 18 column, “Beating ASU’s ‘party school’ reputation.”)
As an ASU alum, I find The State Press' stance, or lack thereof, regarding ASU's image rather curious.
On one hand, the episode of "Tosh.0" filmed at ASU, which focused on the social aspects of college life, merited a "Boo" from the Editorial Board.
Then there was Emily Beckley's op-ed piece on Oct. 18 that perpetuates the notion that ASU is a “party school.”
Instead of dredging that up again, ASU’s reputation would have been better served had there been a story in The State Press touting the University’s agreement with Mayo Clinic to open an additional medical school in Arizona, a major feather in ASU's cap and something that our state urgently needs.
As long as The State Press keeps feeling the need to ask the question posed in its Twitter feed, “Can ASU ever shake its ‘party school’ rep?", the answer to that question will be a resounding no.
Sean Storrs
Alumnus
WHAT ABOUT PROGRESS?
(In response to Dan Oberhaus’ Oct. 20 article, “USG votes down same-sex marriage referendum.”)
I honestly think this is lame. You can’t stop students from talking and promoting. It’s a freedom. The fact that they voted (the gay marriage bill) down says a lot about USG as an organization.
Same-sex marriage is becoming increasingly more acceptable across the country.
I think it’d be great if the “New American University” could step up to the plate and accept that this is a significant part of “New American” life and society.
Elizabeth Hawkenson
Statepress.com reader
STANDING WITH THE OCCUPIERS
I have been watching the news coverage of the protests against Wall Street.
As I listen to the points the protesters are trying to make, I am reminded of the old saying, “Figures don’t lie, but liars figure.” I am also reminded of the saying, “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
The “Figures don’t lie, but liars figure!” phrase: Ever since I have been old enough to seriously think about the “Great Depression,” I have wondered, “Who would have benefited the most from everybody ‘losing’ their checking and savings accounts?”
Your readers may compare my theory to “the President Kennedy assassination theories,” but I would not be surprised at all to learn that the rich and powerful planned the entire Great Depression.
The “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it!” phrase: Our supposed leaders in Washington, D.C., during the ‘60s and ‘70s did not listen to the overwhelming cries of the people to get out of Vietnam.
I wonder how many thousands of lives would have been saved if these war-mongers would have only listened to the will of the people.
The current Republican leaders are too stubborn and conservative to listen to the people, and the current Democratic leaders are too wimpy and spineless to get behind President Barack Obama.
I truly believe these “gutsy and heroic” protesters are absolutely correct in their assessment of our very own government’s choosing to bail-out multi-billion dollar banks and Wall Street firms, then allowing the resulting economic fall-out to land squarely on the heads of “the everyday American.”
I am not sure that I agree with the 99 percent middle to lower class versus the 1 percent ultra-rich and powerful.
But regardless of what the percentage split, I truly believe it is beyond question.
There is an extreme and totally un-acceptable gap between the “ haves and have-nots” in this country, the country that claims to be “the shining example of what each and every country should strive to be.”
It is truly well past time for the U.S. government, supposedly “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” to finally live up to the true meaning of The Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the overwhelming will of the overwhelming majority of the American people.
It is time for them to make decisions that will make a better and brighter future for all Americans.
The question I would like to leave with all Americans is this: “Is it fair to allow the rich and powerful to dictate multi-million dollar bribes? I will simply ask that all of the people contemplate this.
Timothy Monroe Bledsoe
Reader
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