The Oklahoma Daily (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 85, No. 74, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 6, 2001 Page: 4 of 10
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Andy Jacobs
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mice and writer’s block
INDEPENDENT
VOICE
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STUDENT
T H E
T H E
UNIVERSITY
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'ROUND HERE
OUR VIEW
ZZZJ^Z
BIG PICTURE
COLLEGE LIFE
YOUR VIEWS
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Men,
Justin
Zaun
Jenni
Qreff
!
I
Jenni Greff is
a journalism
sophomore.
— Jason Miller
Norman resident
— Sarah Mason
Norman resident and OU staff member
I
— Aaron Juniper
graduate student
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I
I
Opinion Editor
Mioto Editor
Entortolnmoat Editor
Advertising Manager
Editorial Advlvor
The Daily provides forum
to share impressive advice
I just want to say I'm impressed with
the column Wednesday by Phillip Dow. It
gives me some hope that maybe ... just
maybe ... not everyone is afraid to dance.
His advice to "really think about life And
not just your own" is good. But I would
add to that "... and DO something to
dailyopinion@ou.edu
325-7630
www.oudaily.com
I
L%/.z
lone:
(405) 325-2521
e-mail:
dailynewsCou edu
4
Reilly Copps
Opinion Editor
► OUR VIEW
is an editorial
selected and debaud
by the editorial
board and written
after a majority
opinion is firmed
and approved by
the editor. Our
View «Thc Daily’s
official opinion.
Idle All letters must include a daytime phone number
Authors submitting letters in person must present photo
idenhhcahon Submit letters between 1 and 6 p.m, Sundays
t
OKLAHOMA
through Thursdays, in 160 Copeland Hall
Guest columns are accepted at the editor s discretion
'Our View' is the voice of The Oklahoma Daily
Witoriel Board members include Jennifer Johnson
Cheyenne Hopkins, Rally Capps and two Daily employees
The board meets at 2 p m Sundays in
160 Copeland Hall
Columnists' opinions are not necessarily Hie
opinions of The Oklahoma Daily or the Editorial board
i
change what you feel is wrong with this
life." Knowing that we are potentially los-
ing some of the very liberties we
Americans hold so dear should be incen
tive enough. I'm glad Phillip and your
other columnists have this forum to share
their thoughts with us.
Well done, Phillip Thanks.
Israel and Palestine's
time to shine
Jennifer Johnson
Cheyenne Hopkins
Felicia Murray
George Zabolski
Josh Ward
one
to
My
usu-
ramble
Seinfeld
Reilly Capps
Rob Denton
Mike Purdy
Aaron Shisler
Jack Willis
Racial issues too broad for
columnist's limited experience
I hope this is Stephen Butler's last article
in the opinion section Butler speaks for the
plight of disenfranchised individuals,
Africans most particularly, with rudimentary
ideas that are not even close to an opinion.
Slavery, oppression, segregation and liber
ation are concepts that are facilitated by
individual thought and actions that are too
empirical to be discussed by those with lim-
ited experience in their construct and
preservation. In today's social order, our
leaders are struggling in their efforts to cre-
ate a multicultural environment. Mr. Butler
is proof of that and is in no position to
have a comment on neo-reconstruction.
I
■ Justin Zaun is
j an English
senior.
160 Copeland Holl
M 860 Van Vleet Oval
® Norman, Okla.
* 73019-0270
£ ph<
J
I - I < tl ""
Phillip Dow's liberal whining is
hurting American liberties
Listen, you little liberal crybaby You talk
tough but I don't think you have the guts Io back
it up. Our president is doing the right thing. He
is protecting this country and our rights
The Constitution would not mean any-
thing if you were not willing to defend it. Do
you understand that? Your liberal mindless-
ness has turned you into a sissy. Your kind is
what brings this country down.
If Bush was to do nothing, you would be
under the rule of these terrorists. That's
almost as bad as having a liberal president
again. I am all for Bush and what he is
doing. I love my rights and I want to keep
them. Why don't you go over to the Middle
East and die with the rest of the America
haters? God bless America.
0ZA
U/S
I
However, more missiles
are not what the world needs
at this time.
Israel's actions are no
worse than ours, but this is
the chance for them to be bet-
ter Wars on terrorism have
not had time to show their
effectiveness, and Israel
should wait and watch
America before engaging in
a battle of its own.
We are not childlike enough to simply wish for
peace in the Middle East. At this point in time,
conflict may be unavoidable.
However, we do wish that Israel and Palestine
would set a new precedent for nonviolent respons-
es to terrorist issues These tense standoffs should
give way to a diplomacy that would inspire
America and the world.
ItaE Oklahoma Daily
n Qi i
Thursday, Dec. 6,2001
I
stick vac (the nearest available
weapon). The possibilities: tarantu-
la, lizard, possum.
1’he creature finally came out
where 1 could see him — just a
cute little mouse. But the rule is:
creepy things outside = OK.
Creepy things inside = not OK.
So 1 set two traps, one on either
side of the couch. I was fresh out of
cheese (and about every other sta-
ple besides coffee), so 1 put peanut
butter on one and a banana on the
other. Curious as to which one
would be the little guys demise, I
put my money on the peanut but-
ter.
I left him in peace for a few
hours and when 1 returned, no
dead mouse. So here I am, trying
to write, periodically glancing at
the death traps, not wanting to
be surprised by the sound of his
neck snapping.
What’s left is about 5 percent
concentration, which is what you
are reading. And now 1 am trans-
ferring that to the Spanish sec-
tion. Don’t you have some study-
ing to focus on?
- ■
WtRV0 , Oli
On Tuesday, Israel retaliated against suicide
bombers who killed 26 people Rockets and war-
planes struck Palestinian cities, killing three and
injuring more than 150.
It is difficult for Americans to point fingers in
this situation. Engaged in our own war on terror,
how can we criticize another country's methods?
One cannot fight terrorism by striking a coun-
try Even if America assimilated Afghanistan,
even if Israel conquered Palestine, it would simply
move the insurgency within national borders.
In the Middle East, Israel and Palestine have a
chance to set a precedent for peaceful reconcilia-
tion.
In a region being stereotyped for its violence,
both nations could win support through nonviolent
negotiation
• The divisions between both nations are cen-
turies old, and it would be naive to ask them to
reconcile.
Newsroom Directory
Editor
Managing Editor
Might Editor
Aisiitanl Managing Editor
Sporto Editar
All content ©2001 Publications Board, University of Oklahoma All rights reserved.
native tongue.
About half of my attention is
occupied by members of the oppo-
site sex. Well, one in particular.
Why is it that all the really won-
derfill men are so stuck on them-
selves? Since when is being interest-
ed and available not appealing?
Sometimes, 1 wish 1 was beauti-
ful and talented and dedicated, too.
Oh, wait. Nevermind. I forgot.
Close my eyes. Repeat the
mantra: love is patient. love is
patient. What was 1 saying again?
Right — distractions.
lucked in the back some-
where, a nagging 15 percent pops
up reminding me that I am cur-
rently sharing my apartment with
one additional rodent. It startled
me (actually, we startled each
other) when I came home yester-
day. 1 saw a dark blur scurry under
my couch. I checked on my
bunny, who was fine in the bed-
room and completely oblivious.
I shut the dtxir to keep the ani-
mals separate and proceeded to tear
apart the couch and beat on the
walls with the handle to my old
and patriotism in America, Wal-Mart, recent-
ly showcased its holiday “Shop with a Cop
public relations, er, advertising campaign. And
the flashlight manufacturer, MagLite, assures us
that “It’s Never Dark in America. ” Oh, what a
perfect time to be in the advertising business.
Death equals profit, and profit equals a new
SUV on which to attach a flag. I’m swelling
with American pride.
It’s time we shine a blinding MagLite on
patriotism — this bare-faced practice of flag
genuflection.
I he only reason any of us are Americans is
because our parents had sex within the borders
of America. That said, to take pride in being an
American is utterly ridiculous. Our nationality
is purely happenstance. It’s ridiculous to take
pride in something you have no control over.
Hence, patriotism is irrational.
If you wish to take pride in being an
American, that’s fine. But remember, the fact
that you're an American had nothing to do with
you. That’s like taking pertinacious pride in
being an earthling or an Oklahoman, for that
matter.
Why do we feel it necessary to draw lines?
Liberal vs. Conservative. Democrat vs.
Republican. American vs. foreigner. Coke vs.
Pepsi. Were all the same, brothers and sisters.
Patriotism is blinding America
Week in review: Someone was nice enough
to deliver me a computer e-mail virus that
would simultaneously melt my keyboard and
call my grandmother a
bitch. It was quite impres-
sive, really. Thanks for the
infection.
I he army of religious
and atavistic zealots
stormed out of their
churches in droves to
protest the movie (brace
yourself) Harry Potter and
the Sorcerer’s Stone. Parents,
leave these little buggers
alone. Can't you see that
Harry Potter may as well be
named Heroin Potter? These imaginative gems
are page-turning, liquid-filled syringes. Lower
your crosses, Muggles. Heroin Harry is harm-
less.
But the recurring theme of the week, and
prior, has been the continued, unrelenting
march of patriotism. Ready or not, patriot or
realist, it’s been made clear that the patriotism-
filled, choo-choo-train teaspoon is barreling
toward your mouth, even if it has to break
through your teeth to reach your tongue.
The measuring stick for corporate morality
Uitru
And to think otherwise is discouragingly
deceptive. In the words of Joseph Campbell: He
who thinks he knows, doesn't know. He who
knows that he doesn’t know, knows.
Which brings us to the Communist
Manifesto, a.k.a. The Fountainhead, an aston-
ishingly right-winged campus publication that I
wasn’t aware existed until last week. If you’re
scraping for a concise definition of patriotic and
religious fundamentalism, scour the campus for
one of these nuggets of gold.
Let’s quickly summarize some of the
ground-breaking insights published in a recent
issue of The Fountainhead. 1 painfully trudged
through an article entitled “Put the Christ back
in Christmas.’’ Nothing screams right-wing
ignorance more than siphoning your befogging
ideals through a gallon of religion.
Positioned directly above this hideous kernel
of madness was a Bible Brain Teaser! Man, that
sounds more excitingly frenzied than
Monopoly. It’s enough to exorcise blood laugh-
ter, folks.
For the record, should I ever scribble a line
that appeals to the mind of a Fountainhead ally,
1 shall commit spontaneous suicide. The great-
est compliment 1 could ever receive is to be
rejected by The Fountainhead.
1 simply don’t trust people who, when facing
£ Tho Oklahoma Daily is a public forum and fee
JB independent student voice of fee University ol Oklahoma
Lotton should concentrate on issues, not personalities,
and should be less than one page long, typed, double
J spaced and signed by fee oufeor) s) Students must list their
« major and classification OU staff and faculty must list their
- —-
an indecisive crossroads, consult their
W.W.J.D. bracelet for guidance. I hat's analo-
gous to a Christian amputee justifying his
unfortunate predicament by saving: I believe
losing my legs was a sign from Cod. He want-
ed me to move slower through lite.
These people are frightening because thus re
fundamentalist patriots. Fundamentalist pain
ots arc equally as threatening as religious funda
mcntalists. Said Nietzsche: Convictions ire
more dangerous enemies of the truth than lies
.Amen, brother.
Patriotism didn’t exist before Sept. 1). 2001.
Now. however, its a convenient concept to
adopt tn the tireless pursuit of fashionableness.
Having a flag on your car justifies ami affirms
your misguided allegiance to an abstract
notion, such as a country.
If false representation and rampant jingoism
doesn't make you angry, your upside-down and
backward visor is covering your eyes. There arc
blood-boiling injustices happening before out
faces and most of us stand impervious to such
exploitation. Were seeming)} focused instead
on zero-percent financing and stimulating a
misspent economy.
Perhaps in the next life, my ma and pops will
execute the unskinny bop in Europe.
I am having a hard time writing
this column — the final installment
of the semester. Writers block isn’t
the culprit.
---------- Lack of ideas,
■k maybe. But I
have had that
going all
semester and
no
seemed
notice,
columns
ally
like a
episode.
In this exact moment, I am hav-
ing three different, distinct inter-
ruptions of my concentration.
Barriers to what could be a great
piece of literature, but will proba-
bly end up as liner for my bunny’s
litter box.
First, most of the words going
through my head right now are in
Spanish. I’d say about 30 percent of
my thoughts are engrossed with the
hairy, intimidating Spanish exam I
have tonight. This makes it diffi-
cult to continue this piece in my
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Johnson, Jennifer. The Oklahoma Daily (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 85, No. 74, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 6, 2001, newspaper, December 6, 2001; Norman, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1803570/m1/4/: accessed July 17, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center.