Staff Editorial
There’s no ‘I’ in group
Some MSU professors are assigning group work instead of giving students indivual final exams. We think this sucks. This means that instead of earning your own grade for the final assignment -- which in most classes counts for more points than any other test -- you have to count on others. Of course, for those who don’t want to do any work, this is often an effective technique. Some students are pros at manipulating other group members or making excuses for not pulling their weight. Others pull the leadership card, wishing to delegate instead of participate. Sometimes group work turns out just dandy -- everyone helps and everyone’s grade is better because of it. Other times it ends up looking like a college-themed Lord of the Flies. We think that group work is important, but it’s important to work in a group. Also, group-related assignments should be dished out in the middle of a semester, not at the end. Ironically, this staff editorial was written by one person.
3410 Taft Blvd. Box 14 • Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 News Desk (940) 397-4704 • Advertising Desk (940) 397-4705 Fax (940) 397-4025 • E-mail WICHITAN@mwsu.edu Web site: http://www.mwsu.edu/~wichitan
Copyright © 2007. The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication. Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University. First copy of the paper is free of charge; additional copies are $1. The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a telephone number and address for verification purposes. The editor retains the right to edit letters.
Proving to be no more than a pretty face It’s been about a week since Miss California’s catastrophe of an answer to a question asked during the Miss USA pageant was broadcasted for the world to see, yet it still seems to be a topic under much discussion and debate. To re-cap what happened if you’ve been living under a rock: Celebrity-blogger Perez Hilton asked Miss USA if she believed Gays should have the legal right to be married. Her answer: “I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land that you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage and, you know what, in my country and my family I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anyone out there, but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I think it should be; between a man and a woman." Ultimately, Miss California endAlyssa Edson Op/Ed Editor
ed up being the runner-up to the crown and title of Miss USA, a loss that Hilton claims Carrie Prejean suffered from due to her response to his question. No matter the position you take on gay marriage, you have to realize that Prejean’s answer was not one that was very well thoughtout. First of all, what the heck is “opposite marriage,” Ms. Prejean? No, that term does not in fact exist. And besides that, saying “no offense” when it is pretty obvious that the answer is going to offend plenty of people seems a little dumb. The Miss USA competition is all about finding the woman that best represent our country, and although it may not seem ideal, that usually consists of the women in the running giving the most politicallycorrect statements they can. Why not give a response that won’t leave the crowd booing? She wanted the title and crown so badly that she got fake boobs just weeks before the competition, but she was willing to give a controversial re-
sponse. It just doesn’t make sense. Personally, I do believe gay marriage should become legal in all states. Why not? Just because I’m straight doesn’t mean others should be allowed to have the same rights for holding different views. Even though I don’t agree with Miss California’s beliefs doesn’t mean I am cursing her in front of everyone, which unfortunately is how Hilton is handling the situation. I know her response wasn’t exactly an educated one, but people are allowed to hold different beliefs. To be honest, I actually think it’s very close-minded of people to be against gay marriage, but Prejean lost the competition because of her response, so you don’t need to drop a c-bomb when describing her. Almost immediately after getting off the stage the night of April 29, Prejean began to defend her comments with some crazy tactics. She has been recorded saying that she heard God whispering to her as Hilton asked his question, claimed
her sister was a gay rights activist (her sister later said this was a surprise to even herself), and has said she has become a “martyr to pandemic liberalism.” First of all, was God also whispering to you as you strutted across stage in a bathing suit revealing your freshly-done plastic surgery? Anyway, we get it. You’re not changing your opinion anytime soon. However, Prejean has told reporters she plans on becoming more educated on the topic of civil unions and will be able to give a better response to the question she received last week. Since the competition, Prejean has stood behind her original stance which is something I totally commend. Voicing your opinions can be hard, especially when a good portion of people disagree with you. I guess it’s good to see that she is being real and isn’t pretending to be someone she’s not. Well, except her chest, that part’s not too real.
The Wichitan
009. 2 8 0 0 2 r o f S N O ITI S O P on L d L l A e h g e n i ill b is hir w s w e i rv e t . n i m . p n e 2 Op 11 @ Y A M , Y 03 1 B MONDA m o o g. r d l B s t r y@ eA n n a i t F t i n r i B a F call t i ! e e k g a a s m s e t ’ an am e v a e l If you c o et r u s e B . 670 6 4 0 7 ) (940
The Wichitan Editorial Board
Editor-in-Chief Brittany Norman Managing Editor Chris Collins
Entertainment Editor Jamie Monroe Op-Ed Editor Alyssa Edson
Sports Editor Bobby Morris
Photo Editor Patrick Johnston
Reporters Richard Carter Courtney Foreman
Advertising Manager Jody Smith
Photographers Peter Hiatt
Adviser Randy Pruitt
Copy Editor Lana McCarley