Reader's Forum

The Voice welcomes letters to the editor. Submit opinions through campus mail to 101 Jeter Hall or e-mail (thevoice@uamont.edu) us.  Though letters may appear anonymous at the writer's request, the editorial staff must know his or her identity.

Dear Mr. Kelley…

   President Bush is a socially acceptable target for ridicule; we should mine that, right?

   This is the essential point I came to understand as I read Todd Kelley’s editorial “Dear Mr. President…”which is his plot to divert attention from the non-issue of America’s farcical, long-term space program goals to Kelley’s own hobby-horse non-issue: global warming.

   Unfortunately, it takes more than a clever reference to those lovable Wookies to win over the thinking person.  There are a couple of things about this editorial that need a good clearing up! Passing references to global warming that are debatable at best, misguided and irrelevant at worst, happen to be among the most egregious offenses, and Kelley bringing up "the whole Kyoto Protocol thing" is downright offensive, and should be to any thinking American.

   Anyone who actually reads and considers the implications of the Kyoto Protocols cannot help but conclude that the long-term result of the United States adopting them would be that the United States would fall into the trap of maintaining environmental restrictions that “developing nations” would not have to adhere to. Thus, the Kyoto Protocols seek to bind the US economy for the benefit of other nations.

   Not only are the Kyoto Protocols insulting to America as a sovereign nation, the spirit of the Protocols seems to be that the advancement of other countries must be made, parasitically, at the expense of the United States. Ultimately, the issue of the Protocols is less about global warming and more about shifting power to nations that, frankly, the US should not give much trust.

   As for global warming itself, if enough “climatologists” (those who are bona-fide scientists, anyway) were asked, one would find that global warming is far more a deceptive political issue than a scientific one. Behind the majority of the suppressive suggestions, from our own politicians, for "combating" global warming, lies the same power issue that exists in the Kyoto Protocols. The scientific observation is that the effects of human industrialization in the "big picture" of global climate change are insignificant. There is no data that demonstrates that the overall climatic cycle of this planet has been affected by the recent technological advances of human societies.

   Unlike "Star Wars" or superhero comics, not all responsible decisions should be made through creating black and white distinctions of good and evil. It amazes me that Kelley undermines his opinions by presenting them as simplified decisions in the face of his champion Jedi-like force (Liberalism) vs. the dark empire (Christianity and Conservatism).

   Mr. Kelley, please realize that you are merely articulating a myth. Though people are drawn to mythic adventures, veiling non-arguments underneath this cloak is just as deceptive and harmful as what you accuse the President of doing. 

   My biggest criticism of journalism these days is that free speech is touted for itself alone. Free speech is meaningless and useless until it exists in conjunction with rationality, honesty, integrity and a concern for others. Mr. Kelley, you have the ability to write great editorials; however, you haven't done it here. Once you make the decision to quit the kind of "lustful, power-mongering" that exists in your writing, you will truly rise above your adversaries and write something with more import than a clever, poisonous witticism with false teeth.

   Does this sound mythic enough for you?

Mark Wegley
Instructor of English and Philosophy

Dear Editor,

   Since when has The Voice become a sounding board for disgruntled wannabe coaches? The following nonsense was written in the latest edition of The Voice concerning the Cotton Blossoms softball team ...

   "There have also been some coaching changes that have been said to have been a major setback to the team this year. There have been many rumors and stories of what has made the team all of a sudden collapse from its previous conference title winning ways, but none have been verified. This weekend is a preview of what is to come in the coming days of conference play. "

   First off, the only significant coaching change to the Blossom staff was Kent Early leaving and taking a position at Bentonville High School as the head softball coach. The Sports Editor of The Voice was asked not to come back this season for a variety of reasons, the main one being he knew very little of fast-pitch softball. He actually had no real function on the team, and acted only as Kent Early's video game playing partner and the team's official court fool.

   Secondly, I seriously think a 3-5 record is far from a sudden collapse. After posting a 3-3 record in Hawaii (which we considered pretty good, after all the off-field distractions we endured), we dropped a pair at North Alabama in wet and very cold conditions.

   As far as rumors and stories, why even mention something that has not been verified? Could it be your Sports Editor lacks the basic reporting skills needed to understand that the National Enquirer or magazines of that nature are the only ones that deal with rumors?

   As a whole, I enjoy reading The Voice and I feel it is an important part of our journalistic curriculum here at UAM. But when it is used for personal vendettas or gains, that is where the line needs to be drawn.

   And furthermore, having more than 25 years experience in the newspaper business, I feel I am more than qualified in my opinions.

Sincerely,
Tim Munn
Assistant Coach Cotton Softball/
Sports Editor Advance Monticellonian

---

Mr. Munn,

We apologize for not catching the mistake. Most Fridays, I work past midnight trying to make sure The Voice is posted, and at that time of the night I don't always catch everything. However, the offensive material has been removed, which is one of the advantages of being an online publication.

And for the record, Will's never taken a journalism course. He volunteered to be the sports editor for The Voice because none of the journalism students were interested in the position. And from knowing Will personally, I can verify that he does this simply because he loves sports.

Neither his inexperience nor my editing into the wee hours of the night justifies the mistake, though. It's corrected now.

I appreciate your interest in The Voice and hope you will continue to read.

Regards,
Michael

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