THE DAILY REVEILLE
Opinion
PAGE 20
OUR VIEW
Tuesday, january 26, 2010
The Daily Reveille celebrates more than a century of publishing As the University celebrates its 150th birthday, people all over campus are looking back at the long, storied traditions that make this University unique. One of those traditions we’re especially proud of is The Daily Reveille. This paper has been published for more than a century — we have copies from as far back as 1887. The paper first became a daily in 1897. The paper has gone through many different incarnations and titles through the years. During World War II, it was published
semi-weekly while the Korean War forced the paper to cut its Friday edition. We’ve been printing five times weekly since 2002, striving to keep students in the know about important issues in the campus community. The Daily Reveille has a history of searching for news relevant to students, even at the risk of running afoul of dangerously powerful public figures. In 1934, seven Reveille reporters were expelled after they refused to withdraw letters and reporting that reflected badly on the politically omnipotent Huey Long. The case
earned national attention, and the “Reveille Seven” remain a shining example of journalists refusing to bow to political power. The Daily Reveille is proud to continue that tradition of journalistic excellence today. The paper won the prestigious Pacemaker Award by the Associated Collegiate Press in 2003 — the highest award a student paper can earn. Our Web site, lsureveille.com, won and Editor and Publisher’s Magazine award (or EPpy) in 2008 for best college paper Web site in the country. The paper continues to rank highly in
competitions throughout the state and the region. The paper was awarded a slew of honors in the 2009 regional Mark of Excellence award by the Society of Professional Journalists, including Best Overall paper, Best Photo Illustration, Best Breaking News Reporting, Best General News Reporting, Best In-Depth Reporting and Best Sports Writing. As we look at the illustrious past of this publication, we are humbled and honored to work here. Like everyone at LSU, we take our heritage seriously, and expect from ourselves the same
high standards to which our predecessors were held. As students look for answers to budget cuts and other controversies facing the University, we are working and will continue to work our best to fulfill our obligations to you. It’s a hard job sometimes, but one we take seriously — and it’s one we love to do. Here’s to the next 150 years.
not being respectful toward the comedians? You can decide that I just “have a stick up my ass” (which one of the women yelling at said show told me when I asked her to be quiet), but I feel the need to remind potential future audiences what we do takes time — and effort — and please understand that when you are watching us on stage.
were 7th in passing yards, tied for 4th in touchdown passes and tied for 5th in yards per completion. Anyone who knows football can tell you sacks are a result of not only offensive line play but also the quarterback’s decision making. If the quarterback can get rid of the ball quickly, that can compensate for a weak offensive line. Bradford was sacked only 12 times during his 2008 Heisman season. Thirteen of the 44 sacks the Rams gave up were when Keith Null, a rookie from a Division II school, was the signal caller. Perhaps adjusting to the speed of NFL football after playing in DII had something to do with all those sacks? Drafting Bradford would be working toward a solution to the sacks allowed problem. There’s a chance a quarterback can get injured without allowing a sack anyway. Troy Aikman had one of the best pass attempt per sack numbers of any quarterback in NFL history, and even he had his career shortened due to injury. Injuries happen when you play quarterback in the NFL no matter how good your teammates and protection are. According to Morale, “What makes the sack total seem worse is that the Rams finished 31st in the NFL, averaging just 5.5 yards per attempt, yet completed nearly 58 percent of their pass attempts. This average means they attempted a lot of short passes but still allowed their quarterback to be sacked quite a bit even though he isn’t holding the ball too long.” In the NFL, a 58 percent completion rate is below average. The low pass per attempt average could mean the quarterbacks held on to the ball too long and were forced
to dump the ball off for short yardage to avoid sacks. In fact, when you consider running back Steven Jackson led the team in receptions, this is likely the case. All I ask is if writers are going to give sports-related opinions, please do some research on the topic. Listing a couple of stats
without a logical explanation does not make a compelling argument.
Contact the Editorial Board at editor@lsureveille.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Article, most people miss point of stand-up comedy I received a text message from a comedian friend to tell me my picture was used in The Daily Reveille, immediately followed by a text saying that I would not enjoy the article associated. My comedian friend (whom I will not name because I feel like you should ask permission before discussing a person or using a person’s likeness in a published news source) and I both thought the article misrepresented a faction of local comics. Over the past 20 years, comedians like Patton Oswalt, Eugene Mirman and countless others have worked to change the way standup comedy (as well as sketch, improvisation and character comedy) is treated. Think about it. Would you ever think, “I sure do like heavy metal music, so I guess I’ll go see the opera tonight?” For whatever reason, society understands that comes in genres, eras and styles, yet will not accept the same in regards to comedy, which is just as varied and diverse. I write this editorial not out of snobbishness, as in “Don’t go see those comics, they aren’t any good. See me instead.” I write this editorial because on April 20, myself and several other hard-working comedians had to deal with a packed room full of people yelling at the bar, clapping and screaming after every word said and even trying to get up on the stage. You can report that as “Comedy show fills the room!” but does it matter how many people are there if they are
Caroline Anderson vocal performance sophomore
Sports column illogical, not wellthought-out As an avid sports fan, I enjoy reading and listening to other people’s opinions on the sport. Most of these opinions are illogical, but you come to accept some people form opinions without much thought. But when something is published in a newspaper, you would think some logic would be a prerequisite for publication. Do I think Sam Bradford should be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft? Actually, no one cares what I think. But if I were to argue a yes or no case, I would at least use facts that support my side. Arguing the Rams should not draft Bradford because they allowed the 7th most sacks last year makes absolutely no sense. There are 32 teams in the league. Tying for 25th in the league in sacks allowed does not indicate much. Which team was last in the league in sacks allowed? The Green Bay Packers! The Packers
THE DAILY REVEILLE Editorial Board NICHOLAS PERSAC JERIT ROSER GERRI SAX ELLEN ZIELINSKI MATTHEW ALBRIGHT
Editor Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, External Media Managing Editor, Production Opinion Editor
Steven Wolf mass communication junior Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
TOON-A-HOLIC
CAMERON COODY / The Daily Reveille
EDITORIAL POLICIES & PROCEDURES
QUOTE OF THE DAY
The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, paper or University. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-26 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must have a contact phone number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief, hired every semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
“The only sure thing about luck is that it will change.” Bret Harte American author and poet Aug. 25, 1836 – May 6, 1902