The J-TAC (Stephenville, Tex.), Vol. 156, No. 12, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 19, 1998 Page: 2 of 10
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P I N I O
November 19^1998;
—ffieJ-TAC
Freedom of speech: Our sacred right
How sacred is the First Amendment? To journalists, it couldn't be more
sacred if it were carved in stone and Moses carried it down from the mountain.
It is my understanding that many people are very displeased with the com-
mentary by Robert Vaughan reprimanding Student Government Association in
the Nov. 12 issue of the J-TAC. That commentary was a prime example of one
reporter exercising his freedom of expression. Anyone who disagreed with the
commentary could have exercised that same right by writing a letter to the edi-
- ton
Some people have mistaken the opinion of one person to be the opinion of the whole newspaper
staff. This is not the case in last week's commentary, nor is it the case in any commentary. This leads
me to explain the difference between a commentary and an editorial. An editorial is the standpoint of
the entire J-TAC staff. An editorial board, made up of the editor-in chief, opinion editor, managing
■ editor and various staff members, discusses certain issues, and accepts the viewpoints from members
of the staff.
An editorial must be based upon facts and a consensus of staff opinions on those facts. A commen-
tary is the opinion of one individual member of the staff. Commentaries are not always based upon
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Chance to make a difference
Friday's concert will change future
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THINKING
OUT LOUD
Students have a chance this week to alter the future of concert acts that per-
form at Tarleton.
With the arrival of Tripping Daisy on Friday, students will have the opportu-
nity to see a non-country band for the first time since the mid-80's. The reason
behind the long draught acts was due to the attendance at that concert. It was
so dismal that university officials haven't brought that type of music back to
Tarleton since.
Students, myself included, complain all the time that the only thing seen at Tarleton are country
acts. While I enjoy country music, it's nice to hear a variety of music. We should be given the chance
to see all types of bands and performers. Student Programming Association should be commended
for giving alternative music another chance to succeed.
That is where we come in as students. Save the $8 you'd usually spend on beer that night and
buy your ticket for the concert. It could be the last time we see something other than "Nashville's
finest" until the next millennium.
0
to t h e
SGA member strikes back
Dear Editor,
In contradiction to the asinine article pub-
lished last week, called "Keep your representa-
tives in check," I would like to answer the igno-
rant questions, and pathetic comments asked by
the writer Robert Vaughan. Vaughan's first fool-
ish question was, "Isn't the executive board sup-
pose to be composed of individuals who other
senate members and students look up to?" YES,
AND THEY ARE! YOU ARE THE ONE WHO
NEEDS TO GET THE IDEA! Our SGA has the
best executive board a school could have. They
are involved in many activities and organiza-
tions and should be commended for that
because they represent the spirit of Tarleton, If
that means they may have to wear intramural
game wear to a meeting, then more power to
them.
Next, addressing the comment about a large
majority of women leaving the SGA meeting to
quote, "set up for the date seminar." How dare
you use the date rape seminar to attack the girls
who left the meeting, because everybody should
have attended that seminar. It was clearly and
accepted,by higher authority that the members
on the executive board who had flag-football
games wear casual clothes, and that the ladies
could leave the meeting early.
To answer the second question asking why
any of us showed up in the first place, because
we know our responsibilities, and we are com-
mitted to SGA. We work to promote all aspects
of Tarleton. This is more than I can say for
Robert Vaughan, who says he is ashamed to be a
representative of SGA. He should be ashamed,
because he does not deserve to be if he cannot
see how lucky he is to serve under the leaders
that he does. For Troy Morris's and anyone
else's benefit, as I progress in SGA, I pray that I
can set the example, and represent this universi-
ty as well as my many mentors on this year's
executive board have.
Finally, Bobby Wadell has served as an FFA
State officer and he knows parliamentary proce-
dure. He has been unpracticed in it recently, but
he has only recently accepted the chair of parlia-
mentarian. He deserves this position and will do
an excellent job at it. /
None of these leaders have ever been an
embarrassment to this University. What has
embarrassed and ashamed this university and
it's students is Robert Vaughan's article. There
was a Texan tour on this university last weekend
for many prospective students. I absolutely can-
not believe that every parent and student had to
read his false and negative remarks! The only
tiling that the student body as a whole, should
not stand for is their executive board to be put
down by a sorry representative of Tarleton.
Christi Rodriguez
facts, but they are always based upon a viewpoint of one person.
You as a J-TAC reader, a member of this campus and an American citizen have the right to dispute
any editorial or commentary that is written. Your right is stated in the Constitution under the First
Amendment. However, it is also our right as members of the media to express our viewpoints on
matters concerning this campus thanks to the First Amendment.
Robert should neither be condemned nor harassed over his opinion about the SGA meeting that
took place three weeks ago. The J-TAC will stand behind him 100 percent, not because the staff agrees
with him as a whole, but because we are the media at this school and on a weekly basis we exercise
our right to freedom of speech. \
Most of you will agree with that freedom in any instance; however, there are some of you that
will agree with freedom of expression only when you agree with the thoughts being presented. I'm
sorry we don't live in a perfect world where an offensive word is never spoken or written. But in that
world, there would be no need for the First Amendment.
If you disagree with any opinion presented in the J-TAC, you have the same right that we have, to
state your opinion. You may do so in a letter to the editor. However, if you don't take the time out of
your busy schedule to exercise your right, then don't condemn us for exercising ours.
©
jD (§ © tf ©
Jeers to those who are conducting class on the
Wednesday before Thanksgiving, WE NEED A
BREAK!!
Cheers to the Angel Tree that begins December
1. Students should go adopt an angel to share in
the Christmas spirit.
Jeers to those who are not planning on attend-
ing the Tripping Daisy concert. Don't complain
when we never have another alternative con-
cert.
John Lowe
StoffWriter
Republican steering
i ,
Move to center results in losses
After"reading Lester Reed's analysis of the '98 Congressional elections, I now
realize that Lester still doesn't get it.
The Republicans now control the House for three consecutive terms for the
first time in seventy years. In addition, President Clinton has never received a
majority of votes in any national election.
Under his leadership, his party has lost control of both the Senate and the
House of Representatives. Count me in as one of the people who want to
"Leave Bill Alone!!!" I look forward to two more years of Clinton reign. If the last two years go like
the first six, then I can definitely see a long period of Republican control. No president since Herbert
Hoover has dpne more for thp opposing party, not even Richard Nixon.
As for Lester's attack on the Conservative Right and Newt Gingrich, Lester doesn't get it here
either. He points to Bob Dole saying that the party should move more to the left on bread and butter
issues. Well Bob, they already did. The result was the loss of five seats in the House. '
In 1994, the GOP went on the attack against Bill Clinton for putting homosexuals in the military,
for appointing a cabinet full of crooks, for raising taxes and for trying to let his wife take over
America's health-care system. What a triumph it produced. For the first time in 40 years, Republicans
took control of Congress.
However, in 1998, the GOP opted for compromise. Social conservatives got slapped in the face by
the party sell out. The middle-class tax cut was shelved, Republicans caved on the budget and broke
the spending caps.
Our surplus is now being used to pay down Brazil's deficit. The party's move to the left got its
reward: Clinton turned loose the War Room. The GOP was charged with trying to sacrifice Social
Security, intimidating African Americans to keep them from voting, as well as with being morally
culpable for the murder of Matthew Shepard and being "extremists" on abortion.
Basically, in 1998, the GOP forgot the lesson they learned on their long rise to power. Party loyal-
ists vote their interests and beliefs, but independents are more motivated by what they fear than by
what they favor.
The politics of confrontation worked for the Democrats in 1998, and politics of compromise failed
the GOP. Hopefully, Republicans learned their lesson. But the lesson is not that they need to move
more to the center. The lesson that was learned is that they need to stay to the right.
Which Democrats are more likely to vote for the GOP? It is the ones who voted for Reagan in '80
and '84 and Bush in '88. The GOP would do better by dumping racial preferences, NAFTA and for-
eign aid instead of deserting the unborn. The left wing social radicals have a party of their own and
they don't need a second.
Nothing has changed; the GOP just has to go hunting where the ducks are.
J-TAC
Staff
Managing Editor
Melissa Marshall
Photo Editor
Joe Prado
Editor in Chief
Kisty Hoffman
Opinion Editor
Tohma Morrison
Production Manager
Robert Vaughan
Sports Editor
Kathryn Forst
Copy Editor
Brent Sutherland
Ad Manager
Angela Brewer
StaffWriters
Lester K, Reed Justin Roberts
Marily Durbin
Don Edgman
Kristi Lloyd
Greg Krauss
Joy Roya
Vanessa Fox
Sandy Scroggins
Daniel Taylor
Justin Parker
Jeremy Ellison
Web Editor
John Kerby
Photographers
JoAnn Henderson
Sonya Whisenant
Brandie Green
Adviser
Rachel Cruthirds
letters To The Editor:
If you have any suggestions, comments or
responses about the J-TAC Tarleton or world
events, you can either e-mail us at our e-mail
address or mail a letter to:
The J-TAC
Box T-044G
Stephenville, Texas 76402
Letters should contain a name, phone num-
ber and student I-D. number. However, the
name may be withheld by request if the pre-
vious information is given.
Letters must be received by 5 p.m. Monday.
The J-TAC reserves the right to edit
letters for content, style, length and grammar.
The J-TAC also reserves the right to refuse to
print any letter in poor taste.
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The J-TAC (Stephenville, Tex.), Vol. 156, No. 12, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 19, 1998, newspaper, November 19, 1998; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth141939/m1/2/: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Tarleton State University.