The J-TAC (Stephenville, Tex.), Vol. 168, No. 11, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 28, 2004 Page: 2 of 8
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Opinion
Page 2
TheJ-TAC. ?9?tobcr,28 2004
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Students lack enthusiasm to vote
OUR
Mudslinging seems to have be-
come a standard in modem political
campaigning. Whatever happened
to'good old-fashioned friendly ri-
valry? Instead, a candidate is seen as
putting forth effort only when he or
she is putting down the opponent
Who cares about the number of
Purple Hearts? Who cares if a can-
didate creates his own words, like
"misunderestimate"?
Is modern society, television, the
print media, music or maybe even
violence in video games to blame?
In any case, the bitter Bush/Kerry
contest has divided the nation, and
both sides love to see the other candi-
date lambasted, whether it is ethical
to put down another human or not.
The J-TAC
Copy Editor
Johnathon Parker
Sports, Editor
Nathan Jordan
Photo Editor
Tessa Blackwell
Advertising Manager
Lindsay Morrison
Graphics Deisgner
Shelley Gayler
Photpgraphers/Staff
Writers
Chris Irvin
D'Leesa Keys
Kayla Starnes
Mychal Anthony Thomas
Sarah Todd
; Ben Urban
Erik Walsh
Patrick Charles Wright
Megan Young
Director
Ron Landers
The J-TAC is published on
Thursdays during the fall and
•spring semesters with the
exception of University holidays
and examination periods. The
J-TAC is located in Room 20 of the
Barry B. Thompson Student Cen-
ter. Telephone: 254-968-9056.
Mailing Address: Box T-0440,
Stephenville, TX 76402. Email:
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pressed in The J-TAC are those of
the writer and are not necessarily
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Texas A&M System.
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By Patrick Charles Wright
Staff Writer
In a few days either Democratic Sena-
tor John Kerry will be pur new President-
Elect or President George W. Bush will re-
tain his presidency for the next four years,
but the problem I have isn't with the can-
didates running for the presidency.
What bothers me is the lack of enthu-
siasm I see from my fellow students about
this particular presidential election. It ir-
ritates me because this is perhaps the most
important election to wtych my generation
will ever bear witness. Why?
Disney
may not
be good
for kids
By Candice Horrell
Staff Writer
y
Brothers Walt and Roy Dis-
ney founded Walt Disney Pic-
tures, originally named Disney
Brothers Cartoon Studio, in 1923.
The founders of the production
company were raised by an "all
American'' family, a father and a
mother. Yet, in today's fast paced
world, the simple life of the Disney
family seems to be degenerating.
As we look around this world,
children are growing up way too
fast, the "all American" family is
scarce, and even Disney has been
hypocritical from the beginning.
Walking around the Disney
theme parks, one might notice
that there are few entertaining
rides for a young child. Today,
there are more and more thrill-
seeking rides for teenagers and
adults. The Haunted Mansion,'
even The Pirates of the Caribbe-
an and so many more rides have
the forty-two-inch rule. Cartoon
characters have overthrown live,
interactive people and even the
Swiss Family has been kicked out
of the theme parks. Now, children
are either being forced to grow up,
or be dumbed down. Where is the
happy medium for children to be
free to express their individuali-
ties, but still be just kids? .'
Now, Disney is eve^ajdcused
of being somewhat hypocritical
or racist As someone watches the
Disney cartoons, he or she might
discover that Mickey Mouse has a
pet dog named Pluto; but Mickey
also has a best friend, Goofy, who
is also a dog. Some people have
even questioned why Donald
Duck wears a towel around his
waist when exiting the shower but
walks around town nonchalantly
wearing a shirt, but no pants. Oth-
er examiners wonder why Disney
is even being questioned, "These
shows are for children, they don't
pay any attention to that kind of
stuff." Where are we supposed to
draw the line for our children be-
tween this is okay and no, honey,
this is not okay?
Disney has even weeded out
the possibility of America even
remotely succeeding to create and
maintain a happy, whole fam-
ily. Why has Disney decided for
America that a family just cannot
be "normal"? Looking at many
of the movies Disney, Pictures
has created, there is a conspicu-
ous lack of mothers, or if there
is a mother depicted, she is not a
kind and nurturing mother. Many
of the Disney princesses such as
Belle, Beauty and the. Beast; Jas-
mine, Aladdin; and Ariel, The
Little Mermaid all have deceased
mothers. Cinderella can't even
have a stepmother that loves her.
In this contest between Bush and
Kerry, everybody hag something to gain
or lose. The use of stem-cejl research, the
topic of gay marriages, the ongoing fight
against the war on terrorism, the economy
and the strength of our national security
are just a few of the issues at stake for ev-
erybody thafs a U.S. citizen.
This election is probably the first oc-
casion when my generation will be able to
decide who the new Commander-in-Chief
is, and I certainly hope and pray that this
isn't the last election in which our genera-
tion participates.
This generation of students, especially
students of color, have the obligation to
make a choice. The 2000 election certainly
proved that every vote matters. Second,
many political analysts and commentators
have predicted that this .current struggle
between Bush and Kerry is going to be a
lot tighter than the 2000 presidential elec-
tion. Last, if one is of a minority group,
then it is that person's responsibility and
duty to vote.
Why? African-American ancestors
fought and died for these freedoms. Many
gave their lives before they were given the
same rights and privileges as other major-
ity groups in this country. Through the
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. years, in the
'50s and '60s, of marches, sit-ins, church
burnings, speeches," police, dogs, random
beatings, and jail time for protest, the price
. paid was too high for this generation to ig-
nore its rights and, responsibilities. ;
Having the right to vote is.a precious
opportunity to i&ake sure that'everyone's
voice is heard I0u4 arid clear. One vot^
can be the cause of enormous change-
change for the good of us all; change that
can mean pur very'survivaL Many of this;
generation were not old enough to be
heard in the" last election. Vote for your
choice, but VOTE!
Wkm tc mg
HO.V£ CKc-ACiJi-rv.
Sorry fttxlphie-i LooKs)
Lite?. Kerry C3e.a-+ J ^
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Student Government Association (SGA) will
be having a round table discussion on Monday,
Nov. 8, room 22D in the Thompson Student
Center. Everyone is welcome to come and voice
questions and concerns about the university. So,
please join us instead of just complaining in the
JTAC about problems.
-Blaine T. Christopher'
Editor's Note: Name used with permission.
There is an organization on campus against
not knowing university spirit, and a couple of
weeks ago was homecoming as everyone knows,
but this group I guess, because I did not see them
anywhere. The silver Bugle hunt took place, and
they were not there, Maybe they would par-
ticipate in yell contest....No not this either, They
didn't even have a float in the parade. Someone
needs to tell these people that school spirit is
more than showing up to sporting events. This
group claimes to be a spirit organization, yet they
missed almost everything at homecoming. This
group needs to look into what are they really
about before they claim to tje something they are
not. >
\
Someone was talking about a chick who
wasn't giving enough respect to those who were
serving her in the Student Center, OK, I agree
with that aspect, but you ntentioned the girl be-
ing a "sorority princess". Not every chick thafs
in a sorority presents herself like that. It was un- ■
necessaiy for you to add that extra information.
Just because one girl acts Like a snob, that doesn't
mean that every girl in a sorority does. The so-
rorities and fraternities for that matter, have, a lot
of influence on campus and are well-respected.
I think it is completely unfair for you to try and
brand every Grteek on campus just because one
of them did something that I agree, was rude
and uncalled for, but that should not mean thaf
you should try to force your negative opinions
of Greeks upon the other people on campus. If
you want to. rant about students being rude to
the people that serve us at'the Student Center, go'
ahead, but it's unfair for you to try and label one,
rude person to being every member of a sorority!
Please submit your Rants &
Raves to jtac@tarJeton.edu.
All submissions are subject
to editing for content and/
x>r space.
Other motherless Disney movies
include: Finding Nemo, Angels in
the Outfield, and Bed-kriobs and
Broomsticks.
So, what does this all mean for
today's children? Kids are easily
influenced by what they watch
and let's be honest, we, as adults,
tend to go home after a long day
at work and pop in the kid's Dis-
ney choice. Do we really want
our children's views and beliefs
to be molded by someone other
than ourselves? Do we want them
to be aware of death and divorce
at such young ages? We do not
have to force our children to grow
up as fast as everyone else would
like. Children can and should be
protected from the harmful reali-
ties of life. What needs to be done
though, so that children don't have
to be protected from their favorite
cartoons and cartoon characters?
I
Kerry
mmm
vn
Bush
In a recent e-mail Survey, the potted T^tetda^W
the question "Who are you voting for in the 2004 presidential election?" 354 indi-
. 'vidualsrj^sponded, andthedisplayed above.' t ^
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The J-TAC (Stephenville, Tex.), Vol. 168, No. 11, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 28, 2004, newspaper, October 28, 2004; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth142090/m1/2/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Tarleton State University.