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The University Star – 5
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Equal opportunity for all
the main
point. We live in a
country founded on equality, rights and freedom. However, in the same country known as “the land of the free,” it took nearly two centuries to achieve equality between race and genders. Segregation and discrimination plagued the black and female communities of the United States until legal and social equality amendments were specified in the Constitution. Despite partial diminishing of racial and sexual discrimination, intolerance to other communities in the United States is far from dissolved. The spotlight for close-minded thinkers and lawmakers is often focused on the gay and lesbian population. Federal law denies permission of same-sex marriage, but six of 50 states have managed to legalize it because of court ruling. Unfortunately, these legalized marriages–found in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire–are not recognized in every state. The argument facing same-sex marriages constantly refers back to the tradition of marriage remaining between a man and a woman. Denying marriage opportunities to gay and lesbian couples prevents these citizens from obtaining legal rights concerning financial benefits, insurance, taxation and more–all of which should be made available to everyone. In response to the denial of same-sex marriages, some states are now opting to create civil unions for its citizens. These civil unions
are not recognized as marriages under federal or state decree, but it gives residents seeking the rights and benefits made unattainable by the Defense of Marriage Act. However, if this is implemented for gay couples, the same should be done for heterosexuals. Either the government recognizes all as civil unions or all as marriages. This is, after all, a debate about equality. According to an article in the Oct. 13 issue of The University Star, National Coming Out Day took place Oct. 11, but celebration of the cause extended throughout the week. The specific number of gay and lesbians on campus is unknown, but size should not be of concern when it comes to equality. Homosexual couples on campus should not have to deal with the struggle to obtain rights and responsibilities heterosexual couples are given. Struggle is not unfamiliar in our country. The United States has made progress through the times by adapting to changing societal standards. Rights once denied based on gender or race have been eliminated creating equality for everyone–or at least, almost everyone. There is no need to stop there. The absence of rights for homosexuals in the United States contradicts basic morals and principles on which our country was founded. If marriage is out of the question for narrow-minded lawmakers, all 50 states should at least provide gay and lesbian residents with the opportunity for civil unions. They can live the life the United States promises– one of equal opportunity and freedom. The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State UniversitySan Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.
Zach Ashburn/Star Illustration
City Council election needs student turnout By Luis Baez Opinions Columnist
The 2008 Presidential election had students from all majors and disciplines actively cementing their political beliefs — and even trying to change the minds of others. The political activity at Texas State certainly attributed to the record turnout of youth voters in Texas and the United States last year. Will Texas State see that same enthusiasm from last year transfer over to the upcoming San Marcos City Council elections? Probably not. On face, that might seem
like a reasonable answer to expect. Whether or not it should be accepted is an entirely different story. Two City Council seats are up for grabs on Nov. 3. Lisa Marie Coppoletta, Shaune Maycock, and Ryan Thomason are battling for the Place 5 seat. Monica Garcia, Anita Fuller and John Thomaides are campaigning for the Place 6 seat. The San Marcos Area League of Women Voters held public debates Monday where the candidates were asked questions about their goals for the city. To sum it all up, everyone said, “I want to fix everything.” And they meant it. Any is-
sue from roads, development, Texas State, veterans, tax incentives, schools, children and even bars, were debated by the candidates. But the reason Texas State students should be concerned became obvious very early. Two candidates seem to specifically have students in mind when it comes to their plans in economic development and enhancing the community to meet their needs. During the Place 5 debate, Thomason and Maycock made their goals very clear. But only Coppoletta seemed to have the experience and actual plans to make those goals happen. From the start,
Coppoletta’s experience as a former Texas State policy debater overwhelmed the general “we can fix it” messages of her opponents. Coppoletta said she is relying on “smart growth, economic sustainability and balanced budgets.” She said she aims to make sure Texas State students do not have to go back home or move away from San Marcos in order to further their careers after graduation. Coppoletta was a bit vague when it came to transportation though. Maycock and Thomason both said they wanted to see San Marcos become a more “walker friendly” place, including building crosswalks
where students tend to cross the street unprotected. The Place 6 debate seemed power-matched from the start. Most of the candidates seem to agree on what they wanted to achieve, but Thomaides made it obvious only he had the experience to continue work that had already started. Thomaides was the only candidate to outright say he is actively working for a commuter rail from San Antonio to Austin, stopping at San Marcos. This could affect the Texas State campus in a number of ways when it comes to parking, bus crowding, or even Texas State’s bus routes to San An-
of the possible threats in our environments and we should come together and act in response to this incident. A plethora of questions arose after the news was released to the student population. How could this happen during one of the busiest times of the day and around one of the most active areas on campus? Why were there not any cameras in the Pleasant Street Garage and why was the lighting not better? Ultimately, we want to know how the university
plans to respond to this occurrence. I understand crime is somewhat inevitable, but it can be prevented or addressed in a better manner. Even if we don’t want to begin to paint the image of Texas State as an unsafe campus, providing awareness and knowledge about the threats we face daily is imperative. After all, we are preparing for the “real world” and college life is the precursor. As a young woman I can relate to the growing concern of the population of women and
men on campus. According to the University Police Department Web site, in 2007 there were six reported residential and non-residential forcible sex offenses and nine in 2008. The UPD offers a Rape Aggression Defense course and services such as Bobcat Bobbies and the Midnight Express, in which students can call for an escort to various places after a certain time. Shockingly, this incident occurred during the day and the victim was less secure than expected.
We should all take caution whenever walking alone, and especially in unpopulated areas. We should be able to depend on our local law enforcement officials to protect us from these hidden dangers. I’m not trying to belittle or criticize UPD in any way, but we should collectively make a goal to transform our community into a safer and more secure setting. It is apparent this event has opened our eyes to the issue of crime and I hope it will motivate our actions in the
tonio and Austin. Every one of the City Council candidates say they have the welfare of San Marcos in mind, but two seem to have students in mind as well. Unfortunately, as of now, you can only take my word for it. Each candidate has a campaign Web site and it is up to us to inform ourselves. The local election might not be as exciting as last November’s, but it is every bit as important.
—Luis Baez is a political science junior
Alleged assault causes questions, concerns By Gabrielle Samples Special to the Star
Upon learning of the sexual assault incident that occurred last Monday, I was appalled and disgusted with the reality something like that happened at a time and a place where the victim, as well as other students, felt safe. The police have deemed the case inconclusive, but our campus, and our world for that matter, is not as safe as we would hope. I believe we, as a community, must become more aware
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future. In order to provide the victim and others who feel vulnerable with reassurance, we must provide answers to those piercing questions. Lastly, I would like to offer my greatest condolences to the victim. I hope the individual who is responsible for this ruthless act is found promptly and is punished for their actions accordingly.
—Gabrielle Samples is a public relations sophomore
The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State UniversitySan Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright Tuesday, October 20. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.