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Show OPINION SUMMER UTAH CHRONICLE www.dallyutahchronlcle.com Wednesday, July 27, 2005 Greek life is worth the sacrifice The Chronicle has no journalistic integrity Editor: In a recent article ("$330,000 is now in the hands of a 19-year-old," July 20), you expressed concern over the qualifications of new Presenter's Office chairman Andy Murphy. This is just the latest in a series of malicious and grossly misinformed articles. Your entire article is comprised of suppositions with only one verifiable fact. It is obvious that you have no first- or even second-hand knowledge of how the Presenter's Office works, much less how the decision was made. Andy was accepted as Presenter's Office Director unanimously because those of us who work with him understand and respect his abilities. Instead of a cheap smear piece, you couldhave written an article showing how the Presenter's Office is one of the most inclusive entities on campus and will utilize whatever talent is available, regardless of age. Second, it is painfully clear that you have absolutely no information on Andy's background and that your one and only objection is his age. This is asinine, particularly since you have no idea what his experience or qualifications are. Third, your article demonstrates a vast ignorance in how the budgeting process at ASUU works. Any expenditure the Presenter's Office makes is subject to approval by all of the directors and sent to the advisory board. This seems to be a lot more oversight than The Chronicle currently enjoys. Your piece, like so many in The Chrony, was written purely for the sake of complaint with no thought for journalistic integrity such as fact checking, double confirmation of sources, seeking out subjects to give them the opportunity to respond, avoiding stereotyping and finally abiding by the same high standards to which you hold others. In the future it would be appreciated if a bit moreTesearch were involved in your articles. David McGee Presenter's Office Business Manager Junior, Middle Eastern Studies Jessica Nuffer ASUU Festivals Chairwoman Junior, Business Management CHRONICLE'S VIEW Newspapers aren't PR firms p hen Chronicle writer Patrick Muir went to United Leadership Council last Friday, he listened to the leaders of various student groups criticize the amount of negative press in The Chronicle. Representatives from student groups such as the Associated Students of the University of Utah, Greek Council, Lesbian-Gay Student Union and the Latterday Saint Student Association attended an overnight retreat to discuss how student groups could help each other improve. Y^;;.; While attendees spent a lot of time patting each77 other on the backs for their many accomplishments, the only suggestion they had for The Chronicle was to start writing more positive stories. If there is good stuff done, then we'll have something good to say. Our job is not to be your cheerleaders. Our job is not to give student groups free publicity. Our job is to report facts—and the fact is that sometimes, student groups mess up. For example, it would be irresponsible for The Chronicle to ignore that the ASUU hired a 19-yearold with minimal experience to head up the Presenter's Office, or that Greek Council can't seem to stop recruitment numbers from falling. We can't fabricate t h e f a c t s . : • ' r :-" . - . V - . ' . T J. -, - •'"•'- '.-:.:. ; • Our responsibility is to report those facts sans a positive—or negative—spin. The employees at The * Chronicle are journalists, not public relations representatives, as our role in the community is that of Watchdog. . L ': . :;,:-•• ('_.-•"•• • • •• •': > • . " . - / . < Can you imagine the headlines in a world where newspapers served as someone else's press release? : "Nixon: Stand up guy, doing great in his second term." : - - "Enron: Made a boo-boo, but is really super sorry about it." "Salt Lake employees using taxpayer money for gas ... but never premium." • • • Come on, people—this isn't The Daily Universe. • The First Amendment doesn't say "freedom of the pressrelease." •... .y Will The Chronicle occasionally make factual mistakes? Yes, just like any newspaper does. In those cases, we will run a correction and do our best to get it right the next time. Will The Chronicle print things that make people mad? —' Indubitably, as our job is to inform the university community about what is going on—not what you want them to think is going on. "';"":' Unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion of The Summer Utah Chronicle Editorial Board. Editorial columns and loiters to the editor are strictly the opinions of the author. The forum created on the Opinion Page is one based on vigorous debate, while at the same time demanding tolerance and respect Material defamatory to an individual or group because.o.f race, ethnic background, religion, ! creed, gender, appearance or sexual orientation will be edited or will not be published.; -. . ; ' '*$?&£>£& ^ Editor: While several good points were made in The Chronicle's View of falling Greek Row numbers ("In the words of Luke Skywalker... Til never join you,"' July 22), the paper failed to see many things. First, Greek Row offers a very different experience from LDSSA, and the amount of participation required of the members is a huge part of that. Although we do not doubt that many meaningful relationships are made through participation in LDSSA and other organizations on campus, the greek system offers a unique opportunity to be a part of an international community of brothers and sisters. The time required of greek members is an important part of what creates these lifelong relationships. Realistically, we understand that not everyone can meet the time demands, although they are more flexible than the editorial and article made them sound. Also contrary to the views expressed by The Chronicle, the greek system is interested in updating its current system of recruitment. Chapters are working to find a way to make the experience more user-friendly, while preserving the traditions that make recruitment week a memorable experience for potential new members. People must understand that this kind of change takes time. One important change already implemented is that women's recruitment is starting the Saturday before the first full week of school in an effort to interfere less with classes. We would also like to mention that the difference in cost between Greek Row and LDSSA is due in great part to the cost of upkeep of greek houses, a home away from home for all members, and that chapter leaders spend countless hours reworking budgets to save members money. We urge people to try and fit recruitment into their schedule. That one week can open the door to so many opportunities that will enrich the college experience. Being greek takes time, but we feel that the things to which you dedicate your time are the things that become the most meaningful to you. Jennifer Smith Junior, Pharmacy Cara Winegar Sophomore, Political Science Emily Merola Presenters Office Associate Director Senior, Sociology and Psychology Harry Potter: more than just a guilty pleasure In our current cultural abyss, at least the wizard keeps people reading Greeks are worthless snobs I Editor: Fewer/rat boys and sorority girls at the U? What could be worse than that? Maybe a strike at the Budweiser factory? Oh my God, say it ain't sol I was a sorority houseboy during my freshman year at the U, and the Tri-Delt girls treated me like I was a piece of furniture— and not a valuable one. It was a real consciousness-raising experience for at least one of us. Jim Keller Alumnus Spring Valley, NX 'll admit it right here in print: I like Harry Potter. There, I said it. What's more, I'll defend the attributes of this quirky little series to any naysayer out there. When you realize what an essentially illiterate society we live in, intellectual snobs everywhere need to acknowledge that Harry Potter isn't just making magic in those pages—he's working a modern-day miracle. Once relegated to the dark basements of Dungeon Masters and closet Hobbit-lovers, the fantasy genre is rising in popularity like Gandalf from the depths of Moria. Thanks to a slew of multi-billiondollar-grossing films in recent years, including "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and the Harry Potter films themselves, Americans are embracing elves, dwarves, magic and Liv Tyler like never before. And with more than 100 million copies of Harry Potter books currently in print in the United States, Americans are reading like never before. xn a study released last year, The National The sixth Harry Endowment for the Arts found that only Potter's initial run of 10.8 million copies, ' half of young people ages 18 to 24 had read a released July 16 to book in 2004., delighted squeals from kids and adults alike, is a publishing thing I do in my free ages T8 to 24 had read a book in record. People from time, not just when a 2004. all demographics are Eric Vogeler professor makes me. Wliat's worse, a short story in eating this stuff up, Too many AmeriTeen Magazine would have counted with some fans obsessively rereadcans detest reading and avoid it as a "book." ing each book religiously. whenever possible. If something's People! What's next, an English lit not available on DVD or MP3, many class devoted to Maxim and Time? To those concerned onlookers: of us simply ignore it. chill out. Our national obsession I'll admit Harry Potter isn't what with Harry Potter is a good thing. I'd consider weighty literature. It's Therein lies the problem. Where more "literary popcorn"—light, fun Reading fosters creativity, imagiclassics such as Of Mice and Men nation and analytical thinking. and Huckleberry Finn once filled the and good with a little bit of butter. Unfortunately, iPods, Xbox, VHi cultural void, we now discuss the As a snack, it's no replacement for and cell phones—which foster genius of such modern masterpieces real food. But filling or not, this little sore thumbs and numb minds—are as "Napoleon Dynamite" and "King wizard has cast a spell that keeps us quickly making pleasure reading a of the Hill." reading and may just stave off our thing of the past. audio-visual electronic occupation Book reading? Forget about it! for a little bit longer. And for that I In a study released last year, The As an English major, there's a soft say, "Way to go, Harry!" National Endowment for the Arts spot in my heart for good books found that only half of young people and good stories. Reading is someletters@chronicle.utah.edu Support democracy—buy gas at Citgo Profits from Venezuelan oil benefit the poor and don't promote terrorism A s our dependency on foreign oil grows deeper, much discussion is taking place about the future of our energy policy. Our elected officials are squandering our national security for oil profits, and we, the citizens, are left facing the often-violent impact of their decisions. Concerned citizens everywhere should do their best to reduce our dependency on Middle-Eastern oil. Out of all the top oil-producing countries in the world, only one is a democracy. Only one country has a president that uses the national oil revenues to benefit the poorest of the country. This country is Venezuela, and the president is Hugo Chavez. Consumers everywhere should buy their gas from stations that get their product from Venezuela, rather than a country in the Middle East. The fact is that if we were not so dependent on Middle-Eastern oil, there would have been no Sept. n. If the west hadn't meddled in Middle-Eastern affairs for the past 60 years, half of the people in the Middle East today would not be living under repressive governments. If the West hadn't been so desperate to get oil contracts for the last 60 years, the 1,500 service men and women who died honorably at war in Iraq over the past two years would most likely be alive today. After all the facts are on the table, and once we plainly see that the several of the U.S. presidents in the or the Middle East. There are 14,000 Citgo | | gas stations in the United V > / u t Or a l l t h e tOD States. By buying gas at Citgo, we are contributing to the billions of dollars that Venezuela's democratic government is using to provide health care, literacy and education and subsidized food for the majority of Venezuelans. Most Citgo gas stations in Utah are partnered with 7-Eleven stores. It is a fortunate occurrence that the most popular place to buy snacks and drinks is also a way for us to protest Bush's foreign policy and at the same time benefit the poor in Venezuela. You do not need to travel overseas oil-producing countries in the world, only one is a Jay Richards past 50 years have been guilty of war crimes, citizens need to decide on a course of action. And there is a way to do it. The U.S. oil-refining firm Citgo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil company. Money payed to Citgo goes primarily to Venezuela—not Saudi Arabia to protest authoritarianism and support democratic governments. You can do it directly after reading this article. The closest Citgo station to the U is on 309 E. 400 South. The next time you need gas, remember where your dollar goes and what it's supporting—and then drive to Citgo. letters@chronicle.utah.edu |