OPINIONS
NOVEMBER 15, 2O12
Our point of view...
VSUSPECTATOR.COM | PAGE 3
Secession didn’t work the first time W
ith 45 states petitioning to secede from the Union on a White House website, it’s safe to say America hasn’t come far since 1861. In the presidential election of 1860, Abraham Lincoln was chosen to lead the country and in response, southern states decided secede from the Union. More than 150 years later, we are back in the same position; however this time at the helm of a Democrat not a Republican. Ironically, “Republicans” were “Democrats” then. The succession was unsuccessful then and for some odd reason over a century later bitter conservatives think it will benefit now. These thousands or so petitioners feel like they’ve taking a step forward while in reality it’s a foolish, counter-productive step backwards.
The question is “do these people honestly believe their state will be in a better place without the supervision of federal government?” The loss of the abundant amount of funding would only weaken the states and the country itself. Sore loser voters need to take the time to realize that the Obama Administration intentionally set up the online petition that needs at least 25,000 signatures in 30 days to be considered. These uncorroborated signatures are just initials on the website that can’t even be tracked back to tell if that petitioner is a resident of the state or not. The President won’t take this seriously and only did this to become aware of the nation’s tribulations. David Crockett, a political science professor at Trinity University, agrees that this is national rebuff won’t last long.
“I'd be stunned if President Obama even mentions it,” Crockett said. “I suspect they'll give it to some flunky to respond about the legality or wisdom of secession. You get back out there and make your causes more palatable to people. You fight harder. You get better candidates, as opposed to doing something like this. I'm not saying you don't have the right to do this, but it's just blowing off steam.” All 50 states will likely join the petition thanks to upset citizens but what they fail to understand is what’s done is done. The election is over.
•North Dakota •Ohio •Oklahoma •Oregon •Pennsylvania •Rhode Island •South Carolina •South Dakota •Tennessee •Texas •Utah •Virginia •Washington •West Virginia •Wisconsin •Wyoming
•Louisiana •Maine •Michigan •Minnesota •Mississippi •Missouri •Montana •Nebraska •Nevada •New Hampshire •New Jersey •New Mexico •New York •North Carolina •North Dakota
•Alabama •Alaska •Arizona •Arkansas •California •Colorado •Delaware •Florida •Georgia •Idaho •Illinois •Indiana •Iowa •Kansas •Kentucky
I’d never thought I would see a fight for seccession in my lifetime and it’s quite ludicrous. Nobody is forcing you to support our president (even though you should), but simply to not tear apart the greatest country in
the world that took blood, J. Daniel Young /THE SPECTATOR sweat, and tears to build. On the behalf of The SpectaUnlike 1861, it won’t take tor staff, if you want to leave years of warfare for these disapthen pack your bags, our counpointing angry voter antics to try is better place without you. pass.
This editorial was written by Eric Jackson (epjackson@valdosta.edu) and it expresses the general opinion of the editorial staff.
Deck the halls with marijuana Stephen Cavallaro A S S I S TA N T- O P I N I O N S EDITOR
sjcavallaro@valdosta.edu
A
s the year comes to an end, progressivism sweeps through the United States. States across the country have pledged to take a stance to secure liberty for future generations. Their goal? To bring back and instill civil liberties for all citizens. A major tenet of the rising Libertarian Party is the legalization of marijuana. A situation that libertarian leader and former governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson promised would end the war on drugs with Mexico, lower arrests by 40 percent, reduce violence and provide the federal government with a sustainable new source of tax revenue. The U.S. has a history of marijuana legalization. California, for decades, has been more marijuana-friendly than Amsterdam, the cannabis capital of the world. Yet, state legislation over the last
few years has made even the possession of a single gram of marijuana extremely punishable. A once-thriving business, the sale of both medical and recreational marijuana has declined in California, as the federal government cracks down on our individual freedom of choice. In the Netherlands, while citizens are legally allowed to possess cannabis, only five grams can be sold to a non-foreign adult at any given time. After the recent election, marijuana has a new face in the U.S.. Three states voted whether or not to legalize recreational marijuana. Two states, Colorado and Washington, voted in favor of the substance. In addition, the people of Massachusetts voted in favor of medical marijuana. In Colorado and Washington, adults 21 and up may purchase up to an ounce of Marijuana from specialty stores regulated by a special division. The new laws will take affect by Dec. 6th in Washington, and no later than Dec. 23rd in
Colorado. Purchases made in Colorado will be taxed 15 percent with revenue going to public schools. In Washington, purchases will be taxed 25 percent with revenue going to public health programs. Both states also anticipate savings from not having to convict ingenuous marijuana users and growers. A Gallup poll conducted late last year reported that 50 percent of Americans believe the use of marijuana should be made legal. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, marijuana is less harmful than legal and widely used drugs such as alcohol and tobacco. In addition, marijuana provides medical benefits to cancer and AIDS patients. Despite staunch support for marijuana consumption, the federal government still considers the plant illegal, and possessors subject to a criminal offense even in Colorado and Washing-
People Poll: How do you feel about the outcome of the local election? MCT
ton. Yet, many people fear that due to the current administration’s opposition to this legislative victory, the national government will ruthlessly prevent the use of marijuana in the newly approved states. As citizens of the ‘free world,’ we must work together to promote freedom for all, and prevent the deconstruction of liberty that has been tearing this nation at the seams. When legislation such as the legalization of marijuana arises, we must take the initiative and do our civic duty by voting in favor of individual responsibility and independence.
Disrespecting leaders sacreligious David Lacy S TA F F
WRITER
dclacy@valdosta.edu
Last week, on the day after the election, there was a lot of hostility going on between parties. Republicans were mad because their candidate was not chosen, and Democrats celebrated a second term win. I was sitting in the student union that mornin, and overheard a conversation some people where having about the election. They were talking about how upset they were that Mitt Romney was not elected, and that if people were more educated, they would have voted for him. That brings me to two main issues I want to address about the
circumstances surrounding the election. According to huffingtonpost.com, more than 40 states have started petitions to secede from the union. I understand that these people are trying to make a point, but are any of them really serious about trying to start their own country? History has not been known to be kind to up and coming nations, and it usually leads to a lot of death and war. So calling someone uneducated or racist based on who they voted for is not only rude, it’s ignorant. It’s true that some people may know more than others about the government, and that some people don’t research what’s going
on with the election before voting—but all this should change. People should discuss it rather than getting mad. What good is yelling at people who don’t think the same way as you? The second point I wanted to bring up in all the post-election madness hits a little closer to home. It has to do with Christians being upset that Obama was re-elected. I understand that Obama stands for a lot of things that Christians don’t, but that does not give you as a Christian the right to disrespect him or his family. As Christians you are called in the Bible to respect the people that God has placed in authority over your life.
As a Christian you have to recognize that for whatever reason Obama was re-elected-- God has placed him in authority over this country that you are a part of. By saying he should not have been elected, you are essentially saying that you know more than God. Whether or not you like his policies is not the point--if you are calling yourself a Christian and cannot submit to the authority that has been placed in your life then it would be wise to ask yourself if you truly believe in the God of the Bible. Hate is not an attribute of a true believer, so honor the people in authority over you and through that let the love of Christ shine through you. Meditate on that.
Letter to the editor: Greek Adviser expresses concern about image of greek life. As the Spectator recently reported, there are conversations about adding another Interfraternity Council (IFC) chapter to campus, Alpha Kappa Lambda (AKL). In light of a recent article covering this expansion, I wanted to take a moment to clarify some key points about Greek Life. The recent article “IFC gains new fraternity” painted a picture of AKL as an ‘interracial chapter’ which would set it apart from other fraternities currently on
campus. An important fact to note is that while there are some Greek organizations that bring together men/women of a particular race/culture (the Multicultural Greek Council, which is not yet represented at VSU), AKL is not one of these organizations. There is not a single Greek letter organization that denies membership based on race, culture, ethnicity or creed. Each of the 23 Greek chapters that we have on this campus exists to bring together men and women under a shared set of values, independent of their skin color or heritage. Greek organizations are values based organizations first and so-
cial/philanthropic organizations second. “New fraternity” also mentioned a division or segregation of chapters and members. Two sororities were mentioned as being ‘multiracial’ because they have members of different races, however it is important to remember that diversity is much more than skin deep. Multiple Greek chapters at VSU have members of different backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities all sharing together in a common brotherhood/sisterhood. AKL is an IFC fraternity who has expressed interest in colonizing at VSU but has not yet peti-
tioned IFC to do so. If their petition is granted via a two-thirds vote of the member fraternities of the IFC, they will have a transition period before they are considered a chapter. AKL, like all other IFC chapters, is a values based organization and is open to members of different races, cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds who subscribe to those values.
Photo Editor: Amanda Usher Multimedia Editor: Joe Adgie Web Designer: Rebecka McAleer Copy Editor: Shambree Wartel Cartoonist: Garrison Muelhausen Development Editor: Chad Stone Faculty Advisers: Dr. Pat Miller, Dr. Ted Geltner, Keith Warburg Reporters/Photographers:
“It’s not good. From my experience with my family and friends that have struggled with this addiction, marijuana can lead you down a wrong path in life.”
Victor Sank senior chemistry major “If people voted for it and want it to be legal, then it should be”
Paul Guzman senior psychology major “I personally feel that if something isn’t bothering anyone it shouldn’t be illegal.”
Marshall Williams freshman mass media major “I believe marijuana has possible detrimental effects. I do not believe there have been enough clinical studies in regards to the safety in using such a substance.”
Adrianna Ehle senior communications major
Erin Sylvester Greek Life & Student Organizations Advisor
“It can be regulated and taxed. This is good for our economy.”
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