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Show Editorial MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011 3 THE SIGNPOST The Signpost Viewpoint Criticism of president pay-hike unwarranted As the international community closed its eyes to genocide in Darfur, Nicholas Kristof was there, witnessing the devastation and telling whoever would listen. Kristof was an independent voice, a pundit whose first-hand insight challenged the prevailing apathy of the world. When a group known as the G-8 leaders argued that, though regrettable, the genocide in Darfur was modest in view of other world concerns, Kristof offered a calm and sensible alternative. "Genocide has always evoked a transcendent horror, and it has little to do with the numbers of victims," Kristof wrote in a 2008 column for the New York Times. "I have seen children dying of AIDS and hunger; I have had malaria and been chased through the jungle by militias. . . yet nothing affects me as much as what I have seen in Darfur." The personal anecdote, supported by a wealth of evidence and argument informed by his experiences, was a striking critique on the deadly apathy towards genocide in Darfur. Kristof's Pulitzer Prize winning columns are evidence that political pundits provide the ultimate function of journalists when they are both bringing new information to the discussion and providing personal insight on what the information means. Pundits like Kristof are not bound to disseminate only infor- mation spoken to them or discovered in documents but are able to use their unique positions in the world to offer a perspective that otherwise might be unavailable to the public. They're not encumbered to share the truth and are, instead, to thoughtfully analyze those truths as their sources might be. They're voices are invaluable beacons of light, penetrating the confusion of the perils consuming humankind. Without this understanding, we cannot rightly function as citizens of a global community. However, political pundits who merely regurgitate reported information and offer opinion on topics from which they're detached in both distance and understanding are not journalists. Journalists chronicle the world as they offer new information. Many commentators such as Bill 0' Reilly and Chris Matthews posture themselves as centered mediators of political discussion when in fact they're oftentimes uninformed talking mouths bent on using theatrics and sensationalism to draw large audiences and paychecks. Unfortunately, they're good enough at they're craft to attract large audiences they pollute with not only poor conceptions of the world but also combative approaches to dealing with disagreement. It is then the trench journalists we need. We need journalists who breathe the air and interact with the people of the places where the societies are in the most dramatic fluxes. Political pundits not only report information, but as independent uncommitted thinkers, they can also provide their consumers with a fresh and unbiased view of the world. They provide a basis of information and context from which we might think and act.They are the ultimate journalists and the key to the future health of the world. Comment on this column at wsusignpost.com LIFE: Lambasting InFluenza Effectively Cole Spicker The Signpost columnist Weber State University is a great place to pursue a post-secondary degree. Since it has one of the lowest tuition rates within the state, frugal students end up a little happier here. Sometimes, I feel that many students think that with a lower tuition comes less fun and fewer opportunities and activities. This, however, is simply not true. WSU offers a lot to its students. I think of the undergraduate research program that not only allows students to publish their research, but also gives students the plata to do so. We have a great library and great performing arts program. We have a beautiful campus with new additions every season. We have a health center with an in-house pharmacy, which offers needed medicine at discounted price. There is one more thing I love about WSU - and more particularly the Health Center. Free flu shots for students. That's right, folks - the influenza season is about to begin (I suppose it really never goes in or out of season) and the Health Center at the Ogden and Davis campuses has lots of shots to deliver. Starting TODAY (even as your fingers caress this paper) students can scamper to the clinic and obtain a flu shot. This is an opportunity to fight an epidemic and help the human race to survive! Only a limited number of shots are available, so hurry on to one of the centers and claim your free vaccination. A quick jab to the upper arm and a couple days of fatigue in your arm are the only drawbacks - a small price to pay, really. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention advises everyone to obtain an annual flu vaccination. It is the first and most important step of preventing the illness. There are many strains of the influenza virus. Last year, the Health Center gave vaccinations that fought against the three main strains of the virus: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that caused so much panic a couple years ago. We can expect the same strain protection in this year's flu vaccinations. For the sake of full disclosure, I must admit that after receiving a vaccination, the newly introduced serum running through my veins makes me a bit vain. I feel like Superman, invincible and awesome. These feelings, while not based in truth, are mind-blowing. It's almost like a natural high. So, no need to do marijuana or subscribe to other methods that create artificial highs; just get yourself a flu vaccination. Many studies show and common sense reveals that as more and more people are vaccinated, THE PARTY OF FISCAL RESTRAINT AND SMALL GOVERNMENT! Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Business Editor the rates of illness drop. Now that's surprising. Do your duty for yourself and humankind - get the flu vaccination! Of course, there are a few people who have allergies to the vaccination. Specialists at the Health Center can help you determine if you are a candidate for the vaccination. For additional information about the vaccination, you can call the Health Center at (801) 626-6459, visit their website at http://www. weber.edu/healthcenter/ or visit them personally at the Student Services Center Room 190 at the Ogden Campus or Room 220 at the Davis Campus. Comment on this column at wsusignpost.com NOW WITH IRRATIONAL BLOOD LUST!!! Spencer Garn Stephanie Simonson Kasey Van Dyke Nathan Davis Bryan Butterfield Cole Spicker 626-7121 626-7614 626-7655 626-7983 626-8071 626-7621 The Signpost is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber State University students. Student fees fund the printing of this publication. Options or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. Features Editor A&E Editor Copy Editor Adviser Ads Manager Office Manager Jerrica Archibald Kory Wood Alexandria Waltz Shane Farver Shelley Hart Georgia Edwards 626-7105 626-7624 626-7659 626-7526 626-6359 626-7974 The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Letters should not exceed 350 words. Letters should be submitted online to thesignpost@weber.edu and read Letter to the Editor in the subject box. |