Spring Break
Letters to the Editor
Issue date: 2/20/09 Section: Forum
Columns
Writers must be more serious
I was under the impression that most students at OSU are here to obtain an education, but two recent editorials by Candice Ruud made me wonder if I have it all wrong. First, last week, she explained that anyone choosing a backpack over a trendier messenger bag might be mistaken for someone lacking in maturity. Funny; to me the height of immaturity is still sneering at what other people choose to wear. So very high school. I'm nearing 40, and function matters more than form to me, especially when I see all the people wearing flip flops and shorts in the snow. Now this week, we have an article extolling the virtues of partying so hard that calling a taxi is no longer possible. A cab won't cost more than $8 with tip. In the past year, there have been several reminders that drinking to the point of being unsafe leads to very bad things happening. It's irresponsible for the main editorial column to giggle about the "walk of shame."
Candi Fisher
Corvallis, OR
News coverage
Venezuela must be shown in better light
Recently, it was brought to my attention that The Daily Barometer has published a couple of articles about Venezuela's leader Hugo Chavez. I was curious as to why our student newspaper would publish such stories. After all, The Barometer is known for its informative pieces on female masturbation, frat house rape incidences and playboy playmates. So why the interest in Hugo Chavez? As it turns out, The Daily Barometer has its own expert in Venezuelan political affairs, liberal studies freshman Joce DeWitt, who endured an uncomfortable three-year stay in the South American country. Herein, I respond to DeWitt's February 13, 2009 "Leader impacts beauty, appeal of Venezuela".
DeWitt stated that Venezuela, the first Latin American country to put a satellite in space and that provided humanitarian aid to the United States during the Katrina crisis, is headed towards an "economic meltdown." The evil government (Venezuela) with its "power hungry dictator," as DeWitt described, has distributed millions of gallons of heating oil to low income families in 23 states (including Oregon) and Native American lands of the U.S. since 2005. Though, the world economy is struggling as reflected by current oil prices, the government of Venezuela will continue this social program in 2009. It is a shame that this story was overlooked by newspapers.
The current media driven defamation of Venezuela is undeserved, because it lacks fair, balanced and critical analyses of the facts. Focusing on the negatives makes journalism easier for professional or aspiring writers alike; not to mention it sells newspapers. Sadly, this encourages polarization, fear and hate, as if our society needs more of it! For once, I would like to read about some of the wonderful advances experienced by Latin American countries. Why not talk about Bolivia's first indigenous president or Argentina's first female president?
GERARDO ANTONIO CORDERO
Senior in environmental science
Writers must be more serious
I was under the impression that most students at OSU are here to obtain an education, but two recent editorials by Candice Ruud made me wonder if I have it all wrong. First, last week, she explained that anyone choosing a backpack over a trendier messenger bag might be mistaken for someone lacking in maturity. Funny; to me the height of immaturity is still sneering at what other people choose to wear. So very high school. I'm nearing 40, and function matters more than form to me, especially when I see all the people wearing flip flops and shorts in the snow. Now this week, we have an article extolling the virtues of partying so hard that calling a taxi is no longer possible. A cab won't cost more than $8 with tip. In the past year, there have been several reminders that drinking to the point of being unsafe leads to very bad things happening. It's irresponsible for the main editorial column to giggle about the "walk of shame."
Candi Fisher
Corvallis, OR
News coverage
Venezuela must be shown in better light
Recently, it was brought to my attention that The Daily Barometer has published a couple of articles about Venezuela's leader Hugo Chavez. I was curious as to why our student newspaper would publish such stories. After all, The Barometer is known for its informative pieces on female masturbation, frat house rape incidences and playboy playmates. So why the interest in Hugo Chavez? As it turns out, The Daily Barometer has its own expert in Venezuelan political affairs, liberal studies freshman Joce DeWitt, who endured an uncomfortable three-year stay in the South American country. Herein, I respond to DeWitt's February 13, 2009 "Leader impacts beauty, appeal of Venezuela".
DeWitt stated that Venezuela, the first Latin American country to put a satellite in space and that provided humanitarian aid to the United States during the Katrina crisis, is headed towards an "economic meltdown." The evil government (Venezuela) with its "power hungry dictator," as DeWitt described, has distributed millions of gallons of heating oil to low income families in 23 states (including Oregon) and Native American lands of the U.S. since 2005. Though, the world economy is struggling as reflected by current oil prices, the government of Venezuela will continue this social program in 2009. It is a shame that this story was overlooked by newspapers.
The current media driven defamation of Venezuela is undeserved, because it lacks fair, balanced and critical analyses of the facts. Focusing on the negatives makes journalism easier for professional or aspiring writers alike; not to mention it sells newspapers. Sadly, this encourages polarization, fear and hate, as if our society needs more of it! For once, I would like to read about some of the wonderful advances experienced by Latin American countries. Why not talk about Bolivia's first indigenous president or Argentina's first female president?
GERARDO ANTONIO CORDERO
Senior in environmental science
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
C. Fisher
posted 2/20/09 @ 6:19 PM PST
Uh... the title given to my letter above suggesting that I was asking for writers to be more serious is really not accurate. I love the humor in many of the columns in the Barometer. (Continued…)
Post a Comment
Comments by registered users are approved by default.