I came across Drew Harmons recent column, Time to let go of hopes for better things, let apathetic do as they please, (SN 8/7) and Rishi Kundis, Loss of faith in public encouragement doesnt bode well, (SN 8/8) during my most recent bout with insomnia. And although I find Drews point of view to be disheartening and Rishis to be slightly unforgiving, Ive agreed at different times with what both are saying. Not only that, Im a guilty party to an extent.
I know this is probably obvious to some, if not most of us, but its all about convenience. Not just the fast food, cellular-phone definition of convenience. But if were going to thrust our journalistic hopes out there to try and slap some sense into people who dont care, it cant be ignored why they dont care.
Most people dont feel they need to vote.
Some of those abstain because they feel it makes no difference - not necessarily the difference between who wins the elections, rather the difference in their lives.
Most students here are privileged enough to the point that their worry for the day is whether a company is interested in them for an internship. Furthermore, theyre students at one of the largest universities in the country.
As far as convenience goes, our lives are extremely convenient. Sure, weve got money issues.
Were worried about moving on after graduation, but we all like to think in some capacity, were going to be OK. Most college graduates will not be screaming for their rights, they will probably be a few steps closer to going down whatever career avenue they think will make them happy.
As for happiness, it may be providing for a family, the hope that one can change someone else for the better, money - or all three. The quest for happiness for so many Americans wont end solely with the sight of warm food from a strangers hand.
What Im saying is this: As long as Americans dont need to worry about survival, we wont vote. If four years from now, our unemployment rate has skyrocketed 500 percent, and more examples of domestic terrorism are unfortunately unleashed, then people will participate more in the gubernatorial primary.
Its fair to conclude most people in the Midwest, half a country away from Ground Zero, have no fear of terrorists ending their lives. So for now, our bills are paid and our food is warm, and we will continue not to vote.
Justin King
journalism junior
Religion causes too much seperation
I would like to respond to Catherine Macks letter, Religious motto not bad for Michigan (SN 8/12).
She talked about how religion and faith teach courage, strength in unity, love and respect for others, and confidence Tell me that these werent the principles our country was founded on.
Those principles were the intentions of our founding fathers, but not derived from religion and faith.
Atheists or those who believe in a different God have just as much moral value as the next person. The motto E Pluribus Unum is indeed a religious diversity message, agreed upon by Thomas Jefferson, and approved by Adams and Franklin (official members of the subcommittee at the time), and later Thomas Paine.
This diversity message is further supported by the nonexistence of a specific God in the Constitution, and there is no evidence that supports the notion that religion and faith are the only source of courage, strength in unity, love and respect for others, and confidence.
I agree that simple mottos or statements are not forced worship, but they are a bigotry to a large population in the United States.
Those who believe in a different God, or none at all are looked down upon by those who believe in the God of In God We Trust. Theres a very simple solution in all of this - replace In God We Trust with In The United States We Trust. This represents the patriotic tone, courage, unity, love and respect for others, and freedom that our founding fathers had intended, without religion and faith involved.
There are more than 5,000 different gods and goddesses in the world. Havent we gotten over the McCarthy era and arent we more open-minded?
Oh, and dont forget about those millions of atheists out there, too.
Sam Lin
telecommunication senior
New Sparty chance to honor veterans
In Amy Bartners article The Spartan to be cast in bronze, (SN 8/12) Ms. Bartner notes that Jungwirths original plans called for Sparty to be sculpted from bronze, but the metal was scarce because of World War II.
Perhaps this new Sparty can be thought of as an MSU tribute to the great WWII generation.
We have all the bronze and other material goods we want, thanks to the sacrifices they made - lets dedicate a new bronze Sparty to them.
T.Bird
1983 graduate
Smoking sections, peeing important
The biggest fallacy of all is to have a nonsmoking section in bars and restaurants. Thats akin to having a nonurination section in a swimming pool.
Richard E. Schaufelberger
1959 graduate