• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1997-11-12_Vol62_No14_14

14 opimon&editorial Western Carolina University's Independent Student Voice western ■ • • arolmian Letters to the Editor... Journalistic Feeding Frenzy! Dear Editor, I am not making an apology for this piece because you as journalists must realize the importance for reflection and discourse of your work. What I want to make abundantly clear is that this commentary was in no way, shape or form a personal attack on the Western Carolinian or Terry Roberts. Such frivolity and immature behavior has no place within the realm of journalism. My Social Commentary was simply my view on the journalistic issues that I see arising within the paper. The central idea that I want to synthesize here is that the heart's blood that preserves the credibility of all journalism is fairness and objectivity of reporting. [Editors note: the following is text from Coffey's radio commentary circa October 22.] Well, it occurred to me when I was reading the Western Carolinian last Thursday that within the bounds of our mini-society here at WCU, the campus newspaper has a definitive power that is usually unattested save, the occasional rebuttal by some person with whom they have insighted controversy with. And I do not make any apologies for that terminology- "insighted controversy"- either. There are many experts whom dedicate their lives to the studies of the media and society, one of whom I am fairly familiar with, Larry Sabato, states in his book Feeding Frenzy, that one ofthe main responsibilities of journalism in our society should be to strive towards more journalistic integrity. It is in my opinion that the editor of the Western Caroninian Terry Roberts, has taken a powerful student organization that is supposedly " the independent voice of the student" and used it to perpetuate a liberal agenda that deviates from the goal of objectivity in all reporting. Instead of using the student newspaper as a positive training ground for future writers, photographers and the like, he has helped to sew a despicable thread of attack style journalism that runs through out the entire paper cover to cover. My opinion is not without merit. Take for example articles that are entitled "Hey, Better Watch Your Step" in reference to the alchohol and drug policies on campus. The whole attitude of the article was "you- better-be-good-at covering-up" or the new, stricter substance abuse policies are going to "get you." Maybe I am wrong here but, that sounds a little less than objective. Yet, the clearly opinionated article was nestled among other more simply F.Y.I type articles. If we discuss more examples that at least fall into the correct location for expressing personal opinions, we dubiously discover the Opinion/Editorial Page ofthe Carolinian. Every week without fail it seems we are offered the liberal opinions of the Editor-in-Chief. For several weeks, Mr. Roberts has thrown his spin on the computer issue on campus in his editorials- thus incorporating many organizations in his Op/Ed. pieces, such as SGA and the Chancellor's office. I find it very difficult to sufficiently support an opinion when you simply don't have the facts. The old adage goes "Any idiot can have an opinion". The difference between an idiot and a reflective, informed commentator is knowledge. Terry Roberts attacked SGA's stance on the computer issue without sufficient knowledge stating that SGA was riding the "coat tails" of Chancellor Bardo's Computer Initiative. If they had taken the time to attend SGA meetings, or perhaps listened to our public affairs program Campus Update to hear Chancellor Bardo's comments on the computer initiative, he would have had the sufficient knowledge to produce a sound argument for his views. However, he did not. To put it quite simply- Stop and actually reflect about what you are printing. It is your job as editor. Either do that, or remove the "voice ofthe independent student" from your front page because you are obviously not representing the interests of the students here at Western. Angela Coffey News Director, WWCU-FM Coming Out 101 October 11 was National Coming Out Day. As most of you are aware, several gays and lesbians displayed their pride by drawing and writing in chalk on the sidewalks surrounding the Clock Tower and the University Center. This was a brave attempt to help create an awakening for those who lack awareness of the goings on in the gay community. Apparently, this attempt backfired. Those students who felt it was their duty to "write back" congratulations, you have won the ignorant narrow-minded medal all of your conforming, afraid-of-anything-different role models have already received. Your mothers must be very proud. What is with you people? Do you think homosexuality is contagious? Do you worry that people will think you are a homosexual? Do you think all the fags on campus are going to fall in love with you? Or bend you over? Or give you A.I.D.S.? WAKE UP!!! If you are gay, you will know that you are gay. You cannot become gay by accepting homosexuals into your community. Your gay friend or neighbor cannot make you gay. It is not an idea or a belief your friends can peer pressure you into becoming. Also, being friends with a homosexual does not make you gay by association. If it is your reputation you are worried about, maybe you should re-evaluate the current reputation you carry. Is being a closed-minded gay-basher a reputation to be proud of? If however, you fall into the arrogance category, maybe you should step down off your ego built pedestal for just a minute or two. Generally, only hateful people are attracted to others who are also hateful. Can you honestly believe that by accepting someone else's difference of sexual orientation you are causing an entourage of gay admirers? Even if a homosexual does take an interest, tell them you are flattered but that your sexual interests are strictly hetero. Chances are, as with any heterosexual crush, they will be ok and continue to function without your affections. Furthermore, you people who still think that A.I.D.S. is a gay disease, check the books. Your heterosexuality does not make you immune from this disease. Any sex, any race, and any sexual orientation is very capable of contracting this deadly virus. It is very disturbing that even on college campuses (where you would think there is a large population of open-minded acceptance) gay prejudices still run rampant. I understand that Western Carolina University is located in the rural mountains of western North Carolina. But that is no excuse for your prejudices. Homosexuality is a part of society; it is not going to become extinct. You do not have to like it. You do have to live with it. Ponder this: it is not gays and lesbians that have the problem; it is the heterosexuals that cannot accept them who create the problem. How many homosexuals do you know go around straight-bashing? Cindy Cavin The Good, The Bad, and the Greek I would like to comment on the alleged Delta Sigma Phi hazing incident not long ago. I am in my fourth year at Western, and I pledged a fraternity my first semester. I know what it is like to be a part of a greek organization that is always seen as the bad guy. The alleged incident with Delta Sigs, to me was really carried away by the press. What most people do not understand is, that the charges brought up against Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity was forced underage drinking. The charges had nothing to do with the fight that sent a pledge to the hospital. The fight that did break out that night was due to one of their pledges hitting a brother first. The brother retaliated in self defense, unfortunately others joined in and hospitalized the pledge. The national media covered the entire incident on television saying that, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity at Western Carolina University, is being charged with hazing from beating a pledge, and putting him into the hospital. They did not mention that the beating had nothing to do with the charges, nor did they mention that the pledge hit first. The media is, in my opinion, against fraternities, and will try anything they can to make them look bad. I am not trying to back the Delta Sigs, or say what they did was right. I am just concerned about the entire greek system itself. There are too many rumors or half truths going around as it is. This one incident gives the entire greek system at Western a bad reputation. I wish more people would come out to see what fraternities and sororities have to offer people. It offers a lifetime of friendship, a place to come home to, and a way to learn how a real organization runs and survives. Lee Caputo Deep Bardo? The Chancellor has finally had his wishes granted with the Board of Trustees approval of his computer requirement plan. I agree that computers are becoming an integral part of our modern society but they have yet to reach that point. In one of the documents outlining the proposal it was stated that computers may soon replace textbooks as the main learning tool. Here's a better idea: If the Chancellor wants Western to be first with the computer requirement then he should make Western the first campus in the world with a computerized administration and faculty. It would save the taxpayers a sizable amount of money. It's not a far-fetched idea. If Deep Blue, the famous IBM computer, can defeat the world's number one chess champion then it should be able to completely run a school the size of Western Carolina University. I'm sure it would be more effective than anything else we see coming from the fifth floor of the White House and it takes up less room. A computerized administration could objectively seek the opinions and views of the SGA and the Board of Trustees instead of "programming" them like they have been. Think about it, Bardo, it would surely put Western on the map. Dan Rodgers western no 1F©UDGU0 Terry K. Roberts, Editor Earle Wheeler, Production; Tracy Hart, Copy; Stacey Ruiz, Assoc. Copy; Seth R. Sams, Photography; Chad Leake, Advertising; Christy Wilcox, Office James Bucky Carter, News; Summer Rogers, Assoc. News; Phoebe Esmon, Features; Brian Postelle, Assoc. Features; Donald Costello, Sports; Daniel Hooker, Assoc. Sports John Moore, Advisor Contributing Writers: Jerylia Kodia, Andrea Pappas, Briggs Gilliam, Greg Iredell, Scott Harrelson, Michael Peoples THE Old grVdEirr \jl\QT\ Phone, 227-7267; Fax, 227-7043; e-mail, carolinian@wcu.edu Open 2 pm until 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Staff meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday • evenings. The Carolinian welcomes letters from its readers. Letters printed contain the expressions and values of their authors. The Western Carolinian reserves the right to refuse publication of letters containing defamatory statements or obscenities. AH entries must be signed and no longer than 250 words. Mail letters to PC) Box 66, Cullowhee, NC, 28723, or e-mail your comments to carolinian^wcu.edu. All c- inail and letters should read ATTENTION: LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1997-11-12
  • Date digitized: 2020-01-13
• Extent
  • Dimension: 14" x 11.25"
  • Pages: 16 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
  • Western Carolina University -- Periodicals
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1997-11-12_Vol62_No14
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library