A6 Thursday, February 7, 2008
Old Gold & Black Opinion
Bipartisanship should be goal of any party Joshua Binney
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Guest columnist
here was once a time – not even that long ago – when our republic’s leaders joined together to amicably and equitably resolve their differences for the nation’s greater good. Taking into account “Democrats embrace diversity, equality” (Jan. 31) by Angelique Nolan and Kenneth Strickland on why “Democrats are the best,” these days of cooperation and mutual respect appear to have passed. William F. Buckley, Jr. said that “liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.” Though I would shy away from his generalization about the party as a whole, it would appear that this attitude is exemplified in Nolan and Strickland’s article, in which they claim ad nauseam that the release of the murderer of a homosexual by a jury of peers – of course all juries are composed entirely of conservatives – epitomizes the intolerance of the Republican Party. Toleration of differences is, unbeknownst to them, a double-edged sword. The same toleration that allows homosexuals – or anyone else who adheres to a particular viewpoint or
lifestyle – to express their opinions publicly also victory with decency. That is, and always has protects those who believe differently. been, the American way. It would seem appropriate, Madonna’s great So what is it exactly that the majority of economy with words notwithstanding, to shed Republicans stand for? It certainly isn’t the some light on the more pressing and mature inequality, homophobia and discrimination distinctions that voters have to make this outlined in last week’s article: Quite to the November; those between the contrary, our platform more policy initiatives of the two major than that of our opponents platforms rather than the partisan We (conservatives) look emphasizes, without ramblings of dissentients. equivocation, absolute forward to constructive A political party is supposed equality among citizens. argument and compromise, to serve as an organization to Firstly, we believe in limited for it is through these that a which the dedicated can flock to government and fiscal republic is made strong. collaboratively effect a true and responsibility demonstrated positive change in government; through a decrease in however, it seems today, at least government bureaucracy and among the College Democrats, that it functions an overhaul of our antiquated tax system. As solely as a staging ground for unfounded Winston Churchill said, “we contend that for a personal attacks by the adherents of partisan nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like politics. I think the nation has seen enough of a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift that from both poles of the political spectrum. himself up by the handle.” At times, we think differently on issues; that, We believe in the federalist doctrine that as Abraham Lincoln said, “I suppose is the rub. the people of each state have a primal right It certainly is the only substantial difference to administer their own fealty. Controversial between us.” So rather than degrade the policy social issues, such as homosexual unions, capital priorities of our opponents in the hope of punishment and abortion should be dealt with encouraging divisiveness, it would behoove us to by the individual state legislatures, who certainly attempt to demonstrate the merits of our own know more about their people’s will than the positions, that we might effect a cooperative federal government.
Democrats’ article exaggerates truth
progressive enough to run a woman the streets. Unlike the Democrats’ whose political experience consists of position as advocated by Nolan and eight years of international photo ops Strickland, Republicans like to go off of and an unrelenting defense of an infidel the Court’s decision, be the verdict guilty husband, and a rhetorician whose skin or not guilty, release or no release. Way to color is fuller than his political resume. go Stephen Holler for fighting the good Why aren’t we running Laura Bush, fight for the GOP. GOP? Why?! I’m almost embarrassed to put my name The GOP as a whole believes that “gay on this column. This response is sarcastic, Bryan Davis Keith rights are bulls***.” I can’t top that for childish, and, for lack of a better word, Old Gold & Black columnist eloquence. That’s exactly what the idea of pathetic — I’ll admit it. But after reading few weeks ago in my column states’ rights is, bulls***. Amendment X “Dems” this past week, I don’t feel the “Fox News drops coverage of the U.S. Constitution, which leaves all need to write anything substantive. ball,” (Jan.24) I stated that the powers not explicitly given to the federal Reading this column angered me on Republican Party was struggling to define government to the states, that’s bulls***. one level. I was raised in a Republican itself. That struggle is now over. The learned observations of Justice household that preaches and practices I would like to thank Angelique Scalia, who has for decades of conservative family values. Nolan and Kenneth Strickland, fellow jurisprudence reminded citizens and Equating the values that my family columnists, who did the impossible and politicians alike that the law must reflect lives by to wife beating and intolerance defined the GOP. Reading their column, to a degree general public morality to is uninformed, immature and honestly “Dems embrace diversity, equality,” I was retain legitimacy are bulls***. stupid. I could have written about that, amazed at how clearly the GOP and its Heaven forbid that people in different but I didn’t. current values were reflected. states have different viewpoints on gay I didn’t because reading “Dems” We conservatives certainly are “failing marriage. Shame on conservatives for frustrated me more than anything to realize the system isn’t working.” advocating the rights of each state to else. Columns like “Dems” are why That must be why the party has choose its own viewpoint. substantive political discourse is dead. presidential candidates advocating such “Republicans want men to beat their Instead of taking the opportunity to write drastic changes as the abolition of the wives.” That’s exactly why they failed the in a feature the merits and viewpoint IRS, the construction of long stretches of Matthew Shepherd Act. It had nothing of the DNC, readers were treated to border fence and even, in the case of Ron to do with the fact that hate crime a tired tirade of false stereotypes and Paul, leaving NAFTA. legislation is ignorant of the fact that all inflammatory exaggerations. We are also ignorant of intolerance. crimes, be they committed against white And while this response of mine may Speaking as a white man who is neither people, black people or gay people, are be seen as furthering un-substantive middle-aged nor Protestant, I must actions of hate. commentary, I feel that a sarcastic just not be awake to the oppression of It had nothing to do with the fact response is the only thing capable of myself and my kind by angry old white that distinguishing crimes based on the reaching the mentality that produced last conservatives. orientation or race of their victims is the week’s farce of a Democratic endorsement The GOP has, gasp, four experienced antithesis of equality in criminal justice. and demonstrating how pathetic “Dems” white men running for our presidential As a conservative, I hope my was. nomination. representatives get their act together and To readers looking for substantive The party must be racist and sexist. push to put the “rule of thumb” on the commentary, please allow AAOS 2006 News BW 6.4375x4.5 12/7/05 2:03 PM Page 1 this writer this I mean, what other reason would books, so I can polish off my rod and get indulgence. there be? Why else wouldn’t the GOP abusing. run a woman or minority for office? Most importantly, Republicans believe Bryan Davis Keith is a senior political Hats off to the Democrats, who are that killers should be free and roaming science major from Southern Shores, N.C.
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Conservative positions on these issues would not prevail in a number of states, but that is the nature of a republic. We are representativerepublicans first and conservatives second; we would not presume, as have our opponents, to impose a blanket social policy on an unwilling constituency, but rather to allow the people to tailor their social standards based on the sectional differences that alone are responsible for the diversity praised by Nolan and Strickland. Finally, though it is difficult to do so after these most recent personal attacks, we believe in the integrity of our opposition and the merits of reverential debate and discussion. We look forward to constructive argument and compromise, for it is through these that a republic is made strong. In sum, both political parties need to return to these basic tenets of statesmanship. We must take advantage, rather than disparage, of our differences, because Democrats and Republicans are the flying buttresses of the American political system — without one leaning against the other with impassioned debate and opposition, the entire system would come to nothing. Joshua Binney is a sophomore from Hampden, Mass.
Diligence, maturity work to cure depression Reed Pendergrass Guest columnist
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ost of my time at the university was spent in a deep depression and scrambling to make decent grades. Depressed people don’t scramble well and my GPA is currently 1.72. That’s not to say I didn’t learn anything! I now know that love hurts, most of the time it is better to just go home and masturbate. Smoking complements alcohol. Smoking sucks so much. I love nicotine. NEVER ever bong two Madd Dogs in a half hour. More to the point, I learned what self destruction is. I also know that my time spent at the univeristy has matured me more than I ever thought possible. Curing depression is like swimming up from the bottom of the deep end for that desperate gasp of air … only it takes four months to reach the surface. I went to the bottom of the deep end and came back up. The experience has left me with a perspective on college life and I am going to impose ... now. I am going to punch the next tour guide I hear say that the work load isn’t too bad here. School sucks unless you can convince yourself that it doesn’t. Once you condition yourself to only think about getting the work done, it isn’t
so bad. Every once in a while you will run out of things to do. Then guiltless drinking! Always be aware of what you want and what you need to get done. If you don’t know what you want, relax. It’s college! Jesus, this is starting to sound like a lame cat hanging on a branch poster. I know you might have started reading this because you saw the words masturbate and Madd Dogs but hang in there buddy! If you hate it here, remember each time you get your stupid assignment done and pass a class is one step closer to getting you into the real world. If the real world scares the s*** out of you, think of the endless things you could end up doing. Finding what makes you happy may take years but how can you imagine a life not looking. Please people, stop complaining all the time! What will be, will be and there is so much beauty around you. Any other attitude leads to depression. Sometimes life deals you a crappy hand. You just have to kick your cat, take a deep breath and take little Stewie to the vet. Lastly, I have learned that none of my advice will make an impression on anyone. Emotional maturity takes years of mistakes. Reed Pendergrass is a junior theatre major from Conyers, Ga.
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