North Texas Daily (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 16, 2003 Page: 3 of 10
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North Texas Daily
Commentary
January 16, 2003 Page 3
The Commentary section is published Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,
The editor is Christopher Barton and he can be reached at 565-2353 or cmbarton@unt.edu
TO OUR READERS
The North Texas Daily does not neces-
sarily endorse, back or believe the
philosophy of the writers on this page.
The content of the editorial is decided
by the staff and written by commen-
tary editor.
The content of the columns is strictly
the opinion of the writers and in no
way reflects the beliefs of the news-
paper.
LETTERS POLICY
The Daily welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor.
They should be between 200 and 250 words, typed with the
author's name classification and daytime phone number.
The Daily will not consider anonymous submissions and doesn't
guarantee publications of all submissions.
Letters and columns will be edited for grammar, style, space
and libel, but a writer's meaning will not be changed. Letters
may be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand-delivered.
Deliver submissions to GAB 117, fax to 565-3573, e-mail xx or
mail to P.O. Box 311460 Denton, TX 76203.
COMING UP
Don't like what others are
saying? Say it for yourself!
WRite a 100 word Letter to
the Editor and get it printed
in Friday's paper.
E-mail your submission to
cmbarton@unt.edu
FRIDAY
Passing the buck
NT needs to find alternative
means to fund the new
athletic complex, leaving
student tuition and fees for
academic purposes.
Third in a series of three editorials over the Ragle
Point Golf Course expansion project.
Student money should not be used to fund
the design and construction of the new
athletic complex. Rather, outside sources
such as corporate sponsorship and donations
should foot the bill.
If NT gains control of the land, the first phase
of the construction of the athletic complex will
begin this semester, estimated to cost the uni-
versity $40.5 million dollars, which includes a
$29 million dorm.
This proposal makes up just phase one of
three in the expansion project with the remain-
ing two phases primarily focused on building a
new football stadium. If phases two and three
cost anything near what the first did, a serious
effort to provide outside funds is necessary.
The only exception should be the dorm, which
of course should make use of Housing and
Residence Life's funds.
Too much student money isn't making it into
the hands of academics here at NT. With as
many issues as packed classrooms and professor
r*
Cuts Grease!
short-
ages, student tuition and fees are best
served in the hands of academics.
This poses a particular problem for the tenta-
tive multi-million dollar athletic complex. NT
is compelled to fund the new athletic center and
football stadium by seeking outside resources.
Rather than using funds from tuition and fees,
NT should seriously pursue corporate sponsor-
ship.
Football is traditionally associated with alco-
holic beverages and snack foods. The largest
three beer companies, Miller, Budwieser and
Coors, are all located here in Denton. Other
companies such as Dr. Pepper and 7-Up are also
located here in the heart of the Dallas/Ft. Worth
metroplex. Popular snack food company Frito-
Lay is also located in the North Texas area.
This, of course, is simply skimming the surface.
NT should be making an effort to raise funds
from
prominent figures in the
North Texas area. Former students should also
be contacted and urged to donate.
By far one of the largest groups of supporters
for the new athletic complex are alumni. The
NT Exes organization should be scouring the
communities around Dallas and Ft. Worth,
searching for former graduates for donations.
The new athletic complex won't be cheap by
any means. While the new athletic complex is a
good idea for the students and NT as a whole,
we, the students, do not want to pay for it.
Until the Board of Regents approve the dem-
olition of the current athletic facilities and the
proposal to design and construct new academic
buildings is granted, NT needs to stay far away
from student money and stick to outside
resources and state funds.
PHI 11 MM Senior Andy Hogue explains why Lott's inability to stand up for himself when confronted about his
UULUIVIIM statements at Sen. Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday makes him look like an incapable leader.
Not a Lott of integrity in the Senate
Lott s ambiguity, inability to take a stance loses credibility, respect
One thing I learned from a recent
breakup is that love blinds. It always
expects the best, even in the face of
glaring imperfection.
At times, intense loyalty to my politi-
cal party will blind me to any corruption
or problems within it. I would hope
such devotion does not affect my news
judgment, as I expect to serve as a
reporter for several years.
So I have made many efforts to remain critical of
the leaders I admire-I had presumed such a critical
mind would only enhance my love for my party and
its principles. My support of certain aspects of
Republican ideology strengthened as I compared its
policies to that of rival parties and organizations. But
always expect to be disappointed when you go look-
ing for faults.
The recent scandal involving Sen. Trent Lott's
poor choice of words at Sen. Strom Thurmond's
retirement party showed me that perhaps segrega-
tionism didn't miraculously disappear in the wake of
Dr. Martin Luther King's martyrdom. At first, I
rolled my eyes at what I perceived to be another
knee-jerk, neo-racist attack on a respected and
feared Republican leader. But Lott's own words
showed me that there is some segregationalist think-
ing left in our government.
For those of you who were studying for finals or
getting a well-deserved rest on Dec. 5, 2002, Lott
publicly said America "wouldn't have had all these
problems over all these years" if the rest of the
nation had followed Mississippi's lead in electing
Thurmond as president in 1948.
And for those of you who have had too many well-
deserved rests since freshman history class,
Thurmond left the Democratic Party in the '40s to
help form the States' Rights Party, "The Dixiecrats."
Thurmond was nominated to run for president, fin-
ishing third in the presidential elections, carrying
Mississippi, South Carolina, Louisiana and Alabama
with 39 electoral votes and one million popular votes.
Many people interpreted Lott's comment as racist
because the impetus of the Dixiecrat Party was its
pro-segregation platform. Lott's comment was met
with immediate criticism from columnists and liber-
al lawmakers. Fellow Republicans and even
President Bush soon repeated their cries for Lott's
resignation.
Lott's comment, by strict definition, was not racist.
Thurmond and his party stood for other issues than
segregation, such as lessening bureaucracy and low-
ering taxes (hence the title of the party, or perhaps
they would have chose "Segregation Party" as an
appropriate, populist moniker).
Andy Hogue
Copy Editor
Ironically, Lott's apology finally
incriminated him. He offered only a
brief, two-sentence apology for his
controversial comment. Under
increased pressure, Lott resigned
from his position as majority leader of
the Senate.
So segregation is still alive and well
in the minds of some of our national
leaders. That's the obvious lesson.
But there is yet another largely ignored tragedy in
this situation: the death of dignity.
If Lott meant nothing pro-segregation by his com-
ment, then he should have defended his statement
and listed other policies he and Thurmond both
advocate.
If his statement was nothing more than a 50-years-
too-late slip of the tongue, then he could have said
something about changing his ways. At least he could
confess that racism is a moral issue to be overcome,
that many people struggle with the issue on a daily
basis, and that senators are not immune to such sin.
And if Lott's critics are correct, and his statement
was indeed a coded message to closet racists across
the nation, then he should have stood by his words
and issued a point-by-point defense of segregation.
Even though I disagree with segregation and share
the pipe dream of a color-blind society, I would at
least respect Lott's courage for standing up for an
unpopular idea against insurmountable odds.
Now I am left with a double disrespect for the
man. Not only does he appear to be a racist, but he's
a wimp!
Lott fueled a popular stereotype—that politicians
are spineless, only saying what the people want them
to hear. The majority of well-meaning statesmen are
guilty by association whenever someone of Lott's
stature caves in to public pressure and refuses to con-
fess his faults.
I have admired Lott since I first became political-
ly aware. His accomplishments in securing the
Republican majority in the U.S. Congress over the
past decade are laudable. His stance against abortion
and socialized medicine impressed my young mind
and earned my unwavering allegiance (how odd that,
in this instance, he was not so adamant about his
stance).
As much I admire the man, ambiguity on a sensi-
tive issue such as segregation is one flaw I cannot
overlook. At least he didn't lie about his choice of
words. And at least I'm not lying to myself about it.
Maybe a conservative can be objective, after all.
Andy Hogue is a Valley View senior. He can be
reached at creton4@yahoo.com
A word from the
president
Hans Hendley discusses student
representation, spring elections, and
Raupe Scholarships
Hans Hendley
sga President
I can't tell you why, but for some reason the
spring semester has always been more exciting
than the fall. I wanted to say hello again, or for the
first time, and give a brief preview of what is in the
works this spring.
We will be working in committees to continue
support for the Student Regent effort. Check out
Texas Senate Bill 111 for an important develop-
ment in student representation in Texas.
We are developing online voting and hopefully it
will be ready for the March elections.
Speaking of elections, if you are interested in running for a position
in Student Government, applications will be available in Union 216b
the first week of February. The application deadline is sooner rather
than later so campaign planning should start soon.
Don't forget to use Pick-A-Prof.com when you are preparing to early
register in a couple of months. It's fast, free, and simple.
Each semester SGA offers Raupe Conference Scholarships. Spring
2003 Applications will be available February 5th online and in the SGA
office. The scholarship is a $100 stipend to offset the expense of going
to a conference. The Raupe Scholarship is open to any NT student
(graduate or undergraduate.)
On Monday, SGA will be participating in a Martin Luther King Day
march in coordination with other student groups. That event will
begin at 2:30pm in front of the Union. Feel free to join us.
Our next meeting will be lanuary 22nd in Union 413. As always the
meeting starts at 6pm and is open to the public.
I always welcome questions and concerns, hans@unt.edu, 565-3848,
Union 216b.
LETTER TO
THE EDITOR
I would be willing to light in a war against Iraq. Besides refusing
to abide by UN resolutions, forcing the Iraqi people to endure
poverty and starvation, President Saddam Hussein has used his
wealth to support murder and terror in neighboring nations.
This is not a war America should fight alone. Doubtless, there
will be supporters if it comes to that. World leaders have already set
terms by which Iraq can avoid war. It is not inevitable.
If the mission of the UN is one worth defending, there must be
those willing to back up its words with actions.
Tom Harrison
Lewisville Graduate Student
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North Texas Daily (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 88, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 16, 2003, newspaper, January 16, 2003; Denton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145064/m1/3/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.