Eastern News
Friday
“Tell th e t r u t h a n d d o n ’ t b e a fr a i d . ”
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APRIL 20, 2012 V O LU M E 9 6 | N o. 1 4 2
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Section B
LECTURE
FAIR TR ADE COALITION
A NIGHT OF REASON NE WS EAST ERN DAILY at the ER | THE their class
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Society presents guest speaker By Kathryn Richter City Editor
T h e So c i e t y f o r Fre e Thought presented a movie, speaker and a discussion that addressed the topic of religion, or lack thereof. Sarah Bigler, the president for the Society for Free Thought, said during the presentation that 32 percent of all Americans identify themselves as atheists, but are among the most distrusted and hated groups. The movie, “The Root of all Evil,” was presented, as well as guest speaker Aron Ra, an atheist activist. Aron Ra said as a child, faith did not make sense to him. “Throughout my youth, I was taught faith was a virtue,” Aron Ra said. Atheists today are judged as evil, Aron Ra said. “Most of us tend to do good and when we do, it is for goodness sake,” AronRa said. Aron Ra said the majority of child molesters and abusers PHOTO BY SETH SCHROEDER | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS identify themselves as ChrisAtheist activist Aron Ra speaks during “A Night of Reason” event tians and Christians are also hosted by the Society for Free Thought on Thursday night in more likely to condone torCharleston-Mattoon Room of the Martin Luther King, Jr. University ture. Union. Christians have the highest rate of teenage pregnancy and Aron Ra also discussed his belief in a lack of an abortions, as well as a higher rate of violence in na- afterlife versus the Christian belief in an afterlife. tions that are religious, Aron Ra said. Aron Ra said the unimaginable rewards menAron Ra said nations that have a less religious tioned in the bible are an empty promise because if population tend to be more peaceful. they exist, they will not be seen during this lifetime. “If you love sin, claim Jesus as your savior,” Aron He also said the threat of eternal damnation is Ra said. “Gullibility is the only criteria for redemp- an empty one. tion.” REASON, page 5
Coalition to inform about consuming with conscience Consuming cheap foods only has short term impact By Kathryn Richter City Editor
The Fair Trade Coalition will be hosting a presentation on Friday as a part of Fair Trade Week, based off the idea of consuming with a conscience. Roy Lanham, an adviser for the Fair Trade Coalition, said the event is to make students and residents aware of the effects a consumer has on fair trade issues worldwide. “The first step is always compassion and awareness,” Lanham said. Lanham said by consuming with a conscience, it is a greater step to solving these issues on a global scale. By making conscience choices, it begins to transform the individual, Lanham said. Jonathan Jones, a junior physics major, said he became involved with the event when it was a part of Haiti connection. “I was exposed to these ideas of economic justice around the world and I thought they were really important,” Jones said. Jones said the event will include a free dinner of soup and bread and a laid back discussion of recent events. A presentation about consuming with a conscience and a discussion will follow the dinner, Jones said. “What we are trying to do is to sum up what we have learned
through the different speakers we have had on campus this week,” Jones said. Jones said it is important for people to understand the impact consumption has on the world. What people consume can make the world a better place or a worse place, Jones said. It is often easiest to consume the cheapest foods, however it only has a positive impact on society in the short term, Jones said. Jones said by consuming items that are socially conscience, it effects society positively in the long term. Eastern students can benefit from the presentation, Jones said, because he said he thinks college students are at a time in their lives when they are more open to new ideas. Jones said he also thinks the idea of consuming with a conscience does not apply just to college students. Jones said he believes this idea is applicable to any person who is a part of the human race. Since joining the coalition, Jones said he has become aware of the impact that the American consumer has on the international market. “I do not think I really realized before the impact our decisions can make on people worldwide,” Jones said. The presentation will take place at 6 p.m. today in the Hedwig House of Hospitality at 227 Jackson Avenue. Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812 or kjrichter@eiu.edu.
LEC TURE
Judge speaks about public trust in Land of Lincoln By Nike Ogunbodede Associate News Editor
An untrusting public cannot be governed, said U.S. District Judge James Zagel, during an open forum on Thursday. Zagel started his discussion on the history of American and Illinois corruption, by stipulating that he did not like using the terminology “public corruption” because of its broadness. Instead, he prefers the phrase a breach of public trust, also the title of his presentation. History impacts the present a lot more than people would like to think, Zagel said. The judge went further and said he thinks corruption has been a part of Illinois since it became a state in
1818. When Illinois became a state it was fearful of the economic threat of the more powerful cities of St. Louis, Missouri and Evansville, Indiana. “Throughout the 1800s, states were always in competition with each other, and often it was what the states needed that were in short supply,” he said. “The history of the 19th century teaches that large scale breaches of trust occur on some regularity if and only if government controls and distributes goods in short supply.” Zagel also said the time period played a role in the level and type of corruption that took place. Criminal breach of trust occurs when a holder of public office requires or accepts something of personal bene-
fit in exchange for using their political clout, Zagel said. “It’s usually something you can put in your pocket as opposed to getting widespread popular approval of your work an enhancing your chances for reelection,” Zagel said. A moral breach of public trust is when a public official knowingly acts against the best interest of public and goes with the popular vote knowing it will have negative repercussions. “It’s a very hazy line between selfish and self-serving conduct,” he said. Stupidity or ignorance cannot be considered a breach of trust because it is not done with intentional disregard for the public and the rules by which they are governed. JUDGE, page 5
KIMBERLY FOSTER | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS
U.S. District Judge James Zagel, the presiding judge of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's trials, gives his speech "The Breach of Public Trust” Thursday in the Recital Hall of the Doudna Fine Arts Center.