Damaging Words

For the past couple weeks, we have been discussing the First Amendment during class. One action the amendment permits is freedom of speech, which goes along perfectly with an article I overcame today in The Minnesota Daily. Written in Madison, Wisconsin, the article “Teacher’s arrest raises free speech issues” addresses one teacher, James Buss, and his opinion of teacher’s salaries. Buss expressed his unruly thoughts on an internet blog site, explaining that ‘teacher salaries made him sick because they are lazy and work only five hours a day. ’ Additionally, the comment that truly displayed his lack of consideration was when he praised the Columbine High School gunmen who killed 12 students and a teacher before killing themselves by saying, “they knew how to deal with the overpaid teacher union thugs. One shot at a time!” He also explained that the two gunmen should be remembered as heroes. These comments stirred much criticism and dismay, and police took Buss into custody at the Washington County Jail. Now, the Washington County District is attempting to charge Buss with disorderly conduct and unlawful use of computerized communication systems. The question of whether the case will go through is still in the air. According to the First Amendment, Buss has the right to state any opinion he has. Yet, in my opinion, I believe he should be charged in some way or another. As a teacher, Buss should be supporting his co-workers instead of bash them, for everyone’s sake. Not only is it irresponsible for him to be degrading other teachers but it is also unethical for him to be supporting two gunmen who murdered 13 people. Students look up to teachers and his words have caused much damage to his community. Although freedom of speech should continue to be praised and supported, it is quite difficult to do that when someone is verbally backing up one of the most horrible events that has occurred in the United States within the past decade. His words could stem violence; some troubled students may find them encouraging. This is definitely a time when someone should have told him to think before he spoke. The First Amendment should not let this type of situation slide right on by. People need to realize how badly words can affect others.

Interested in more issues raised by the First Amendment? Click the link below!
http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/iclp/freespch.htm

High Five?

The Minnesota Daily article “Sexual-health surveys clash” by Andy Mannix and Betsy Graca caught my attention on Thursday November 29th. The article was based on the new survey conducted by Trojan condoms. The survey indicated that out of 139 colleges, the University of Minnesota placed first place safe sexual health performances. From an outside perspective, this may seem to be a compliment to the University, yet the article continues to enlighten us on how the survey results were not completely accurate. Because they were unable to obtain a lot of information from many of the schools, Trojan condoms focused on each school’s health services, contraception availability, and awareness, instead of more important statistics such as STI rates and sexual health knowledge on campuses when conducting the survey. It is here that one may see the problem. Just because a school has good health services and is fortunate enough to have many students willing to inform others on sexual health and disease education, doesn’t mean the campus is actually the healthiest when it comes to sex. Although the U of M does have great services, many students do not actually follow the safest practices when it comes to sex. As a member of the SHADE, I have found it difficult to reach out to many students on the importance of safe sex. With the article backing me up, only 60 percent of students use condoms when having sex. That leaves us with 40 percent of students not having safe sex! Additionally, as aware as Trojan condoms makes the University seem, it is critical to consider that from a Boynton Health Survey taken last year, a frightening 12.6 percent of students believe that withdrawal is a safe method of birth control. Maybe Trojan condoms should stop focusing on the mere 60 percent of University sexually-safe students and instead focus on the 40 percent that are now prone to Sexually Transmitted Infections and pregnancy. Although the University is trying to reach out to students on the importance of safe sex, it still has a long way to go.


To find out more about sexual health services at the U of M, address the link below:
http://www.bhs.umn.edu/shade/

Alerts

Andy Steinke from The Minnesota Daily wrote the article, “Some ignore safety alerts”. The piece covered this past weekend’s safety alert where a parking lot attended was robbed at knifepoint, as well as the fact that many students are beginning to ignore these e-mail alerts. This hit home for me not only because I receive these e-mails but also because I am apparently one of the few that pay very close attention to them. One student commented that he believed many students were starting to become desensitized from the alerts because there seems to be so many. Now that is an alert! Students should be taking these warnings seriously instead of just scanning over them to make sure it wasn’t somebody they knew. The alerts are for our safety, and I think keeping an eye out for the criminals described in the e-mails is important as well; we could save someone else from being a victim of more crimes. For example, a female student was sexually harassed a few weeks ago. The alert was sent out, as well as a description of the attacker. A few days later, someone who had read and paid close attention to the alert spotted a man that seemed to match the description. The person called the police and bingo, it was the attacker. It is evident that these alerts are critical. Students need to be aware of the crimes going on within their area. They need to be attentive and know where they are and who is around at all times. Crime is always going to be around, and these safety alerts can only prevent more and more from taking place.

To be updated at all times on crime alerts amonst the Universota of Minnesota campus, click below:
http://www1.umn.edu/police/alerts.html

Noise

The article “Bridge construction could make a racket” by Liz Riggs, flaunted from the front page on Tuesday’s Minnesota Daily. Riggs reported on the reconstruction of the I-35 bridge and the possible noise it will produce. The construction team for the new bridge will be using a technique called “pile driving”. The technique requires steel-on-steel pounding, resulting in quite a bit of noise. Evidently, various students, especially those that live near the area of the new bridge are highly concerned with this suspected noise and felt the need to complain about it before the rebuilding begins. At this point, I don’t feel these people will be as annoyed with the reconstruction noise as I am with their reactions to this situation. Instead of thinking about how a little noise will affect them, I believe it would be more important for them to consider the positives in the bridge getting rebuilt. The I-35 bridge collapse this past summer was and still is a huge tragedy. It is essential for people to recall this major event and the terrors it resulted in. Many people died or were injured, and one of main traffic ways in Minneapolis was closed. We need this bridge up again. It has caused such a commotion not only within Minneapolis but also within our nation. Instead of worrying about getting woken up early by some noise, people should think about the importance of this bridge and how our city will benefit from it being up again. Unfortunately, it seems to be so easy to complain about something when that something has not directly affected you. If anyone is to have concerns with this situation, it should not be based on a little noise, but instead, based on how we can never let something this devastating happen again.

If YOU are truly concerned with this situation and want to lend a helping hand, click the link below for more information:
http://uscriticalinfrastructure.typepad.com/asce_critical_infrastruct/bridges.html

Go Green!

The planet is getting hotter by the second. The air we breathe in and the water we drink, fish, and swim in is becoming dirtier. A rise in severe floods and droughts have already hit numerous parts of our world. Wildfires have torn up our wildernesses. These predicaments are mere consequences of an issue that has become increasingly prevalent over the years: Global Warming. On Friday November 2nd, The Minnesota Daily writer Alex Robinson wrote the article, “Explorer presents on global warming.” The article was based on Polar explorer, Will Steger, who spoke to the design and architecture leaders on the seriousness of Global Warming and how their programs can help prevent this serious matter. For example, Steger asked Architects to consider utilizing more environmental friendly materials in designing their developments. Simple steps like this can make a big difference. Steger spoke of the importance in bringing Global Warming issues into all classrooms, which is the least the University can do in my opinion. As a student here at the U of M, I have found that an immense number of students not only don’t know how to help prevent the problem of Global Warming but also have no idea what it really is. This is almost as serious as the problem itself! Everyone, especially my peers, should have an acute awareness of Global Warming, it’s effects, and it’s preventions. We need to try and beat this now, or bear the consequences later. According to Steger, we need to cut greenhouse emissions 80 percent by 2050 in order to slow Global Warming. Thus, to do this, people need to be educated on the topic. Steger came to this school to not only make a point but also make a difference. Something as little as taking the bus a few days a week instead of driving a car or recycling garbage, can make a large impact. If every student and staff member at the University of Minnesota took part in such simple daily activities, it would make a huge difference and that is what Steger is trying to teach us.

To view pictures of the affects of Global Warming, click the link below:
http://www.worldviewofglobalwarming.org/

New Policy

Friday’s Minnesota Daily, presented the article, “New policy tightens student ticket usage” by Jane Grovom. The article concerns hockey tickets and how a new policy that has developed reduces the possibility of the original purchaser of the tickets sell them when he or she is unable to use them. Apparently, athletic officials are afraid that students will sell their tickets to non-students. It is difficult for me not to question why this is such a dilemma. First off, I do not see the problem in having non-student fans attend the hockey games. If the individual is willing to spend money and purchase the ticket, he or she should be free to attend the game regardless. These "non-students" could be people that truly want to go and support their school's hockey team, but simply did not have the money to spend on season tickets. I do not see the negativity in allowing such people to purchase a ticket from someone else when they will not be utilizing the ticket as it is. Additionally, selling tickets that one is unable use is resourceful. It simply fills one more empty seat and is not only profitable for the sport but also gives someone else the opportunity to enjoy the game. Throughout the article, we are able to hear various opinions on the situation. There seems to be more people questioning this policy than supporting it. The people that have paid for the hockey tickets should have the right to decide who uses their seat when they cannot.

To find out more information on the University of Minnesota Hockey Team, please click on the link below:
http://www.gophersports.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8400&SPID=3322&SPSID=38855

TCF Bank Stadium

The article "Groups discuss student fees" by Amber Kispert in this past Thursday's Minnesota Daily caught my attention this past week. The article discussed the three main benefits University of Minnesota students will recieve when paying for the new TCF Bank Stadium. According to the daily, students will spend $23 million over the course of 25 years on the stadium, which averages out to a $25 deposit per student a year. The benefits the article state are as followed: 1) student groups and recreational sports teams will be able to utilize the stadium whenever University sporting events are not scheduled; 2) students will have the opportunity to have a say in the future name of the stadium; and 3) for every sport ticket purchased by a student, they shall recieve points that will go toward buying better seats after they graduate. Throughout the article, various people commented on how these benefits are not good enough, but I disagree. First of all, the first benefit will give student groups and recreational sports groups a different location to be active at once in awhile. While being part of the Residential Hall Association last year, it was an absolute pain trying to find places to schedule events, such as dances and fundraisers. We had to wait months to have one specific event, because the university did not have enough options that were large enough for hundreds of students. This benefit will give us another option. Next, the second benefit may not effect many students, but to those that care what their school's new stadium name will be, they will at least be given a say in the process. Plus, since this is our school, we should enjoy the fact that we can name what we are putting our money into. Finally, the third benefit will come in handy for those that will maintain their gopher pride and continue to attend the games. It's probably going to benefit the under-classmen more in the long run, since they will have more time to purchase more tickets and therefore receive more points, but then again, they will be paying during that time as well. These benefits may or may not appeal to some. Those in charge of the benefits cannot make every student happy. Although, it should at least be an honor to one day be able to say, 'hey, I helped pay for that stadium!' And to some, like myself, that is simply good enough.

Here is more information on the new stadium: http://www1.umn.edu/stadium/TCF.html

UMPD Escort Decreases

The article, "UMPD escort service use decreases" by The Minnesota Daily writer Alyssa Kroeten caught my attention this past Wednesday. The article touched on the decreasing number of campus escorts within the University of Minnesota in the past few years. Students do not use the service as much as they use to, and I find that to be somewhat unsettling. Since the school year began, there have been various incidences of attacks and robberies on-campus. Almost everyone of those attacks were upon individuals that were alone. Last year, I found comfort in utilizing the campus escort service whenever I walked home from the library late at night. I know plenty of people that did the same, or they would have two of their friends walk over and meet the person. The question I must ask is: why do people put themselves in uncomfortable situations when they don't have to? There are numerous students that walk home alone at night, and I don't think they realize how serious that can be. I find that many people my age find themselves to be invisible, when they are very wrong. The decrease of usage in this service is worrisome, for not only is it a safe-way home but also free. The article touches on how people feel safer now-a-days because they feel they can use their cell phones if something happened. But lets be honest here; an attacker is an attacker; they are not going to give you the time to reach into your purse, pocket, etc., grab your phone, and dial. Even talking on one's phone while walking does not necessarily eliminate danger, because the person on the other line may not know exactly where you are or it can be a distraction. The article recommends always walking with another person, which is the least someone can do when they are out at night. It is unfortunate that with the stress of school, work, etc., students also have to deal with the stress of feeling safe or not. Either way, in order to be safe, people need to be smart and take the proper precautions when going out at night.

Here is the link to the University of Minnesota's safety tips for pedestrians:
http://www.dem.umn.edu/personalsafety.html

No Smoking

Thus the ban has begun: No smoking! Well, at least no smoking in any indoor public places. The Freedom to Breathe Act went into effect on Monday, October 1st. Printed in the Minnesota Daily on Tuesday was the acticle, "Smoking ban takes effect" by Alyssa Kroeten. It commented on how the ban will affect businesses. Some people feel it will really hurt their business and some believe that their customers will stay true regardless if they can smoke inside or not. To those that are afraid of a decline in business and disagree with the act, I say too darn bad! It is about time that Minnesota joined this trend, for one would have to live in the middle of nowhere to not know that not only do cigarettes kill but so does second-hand smoke! Not only was smoking inside bad for the smoker but also other customers and employees. Most businesses pride themselves of the safe habits they practice, so this just adds to that list. Now people can enjoy a nice, smoke-free atmosphere while having dinner or a few drinks, which is how it should be. This Act is definitely for the better and although it is unfortunate that some restaraunts' business will decrease, it is still very much worth it.

To find out information on the affects of smoking, click on the link below:
http://www.quitsmoking.com/kopykit/reports/body.htm

Rest In Peace Kyle Sharbonno

Within this past Thursday’s Minnesota Daily, I was drawn to the article “2

students face possible prison time” on page 3A. The article concerns two upper-

class University of Minnesota students, Michael McCullough and Brandon Overlie, who

served alcohol to 19-year-old Kyle Sharbonno at their house last April. After the

party, Kyle and some friends walked to Burger King and then headed to the third

level of the Oak Street parking ramp. There, Kyle sat on the ledge of the ramp and,

according to a witness the Daily spoke to, fell about 10 seconds later. Kyle died

of brain injuries caused by the fall. On a side note: I knew Kyle. We both resided

at the same dormitory hall last year and became acquaintances, saying hello to one

another whenever we passed in the hall or sitting at the same table for lunch with a

group of people. So, as one may assume, it was a huge shock to find out about his

death last school year. Not only was it upsetting to me but also the two gentlemen

that served Kyle the alcohol that night, for they had a stronger relationship with

Kyle than he and I; they were friends. Now, McCullough and Overlie are facing

prison time for “‘furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor resulting in a

death.’” These two guys who were already in complete agony because of their

friend’s death are now looking onward to a future in prison. Is this justice? I,

for one, am struggling with this question. I see the wrongdoing of people supplying

alcohol to individuals under the age of 21, but it is difficult not to consider the

fact that whether or not you are 19, in Kyle’s situation, or 21, the same incident

could occur. Kyle was not naive going to the party. He knew there would be

alcohol, and he knew he was going to be drinking it to have a good time. It was his

choice to attend the party; it was his choice to drink the alcohol being supplied;

and, unfortunately, it was his choice to sit on the ledge of the parking ramp. As

melodramatic as this might sound, could an incident like this be compared to a car

accident? If a person chooses to buy a car, drives it, and falls asleep behind the

wheel resulting in their death, should we penalize the people that supplied the car

to that person? Of course not, and why? Because that person chose to buy the car,

chose to drive the car, and chose to get into the car while sleep-deprived. These

are all accidents, and pointing the blame on other people because of another

person’s unwise decision is not always the answer. This was a huge misfortune, and

as tragic as it is, I don’t believe Kyle would be asking the law to put his two

friends behind bars because of it. I know it’s the law, but prison should be for

people that purposely try to hurt others, not people that are trying to give their

friends a good time. That may sound somewhat ridiculous, but putting these two guys

in prison sounds more ridiculous to me. Kyle’s death has been and should be the

biggest price McCullough and Overlie have to face.


http://www.plamerican.com/node/1635