DON'T CARE? DON'T VOTE! WHY SHOULD WE TRUST APATHETIC VOTERS TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT AFFECT OUR LIVES?
By Kevin Breen, Ferris State Torch
My high school history teacher once asked all the students in the class if any were not planning to vote when they were legally able to. A few people raised their hands, and he started asking them questions, individually, trying to persuade them to vote. After all, he announced the cliché, “If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain.”
Most students in the group seemed embarrassed to admit that they weren’t planning to vote, but one stood up to the teacher, saying that she wasn’t interested in politics and wasn’t passionate enough about political beliefs to bother.
I’ve read many articles about the right not to vote. Most make good points, like when a possible voter is morally opposed to the political positions of all candidates, then it would be wrong for that person to vote because the person is partially responsible for the unethical activities that take place.
But most articles either dismiss or fail to address another perfectly acceptable reason not to vote: apathy. The subtleties that affect the voting decisions of uninterested people are not legitimate basis for making decisions that affect billions of human lives.
Voter apathy often corresponds to a lack of political education. Ferris State University’s American democracy project complained that only 36.1 percent of eligible youth voted in 2000. Few people properly appreciate the choice that 63.9 percent of them made when they didn’t vote. They chose not to make a decision because they didn’t care or know enough about the system to make a proper decision.
Even if apathetic voters try to learn about politics, the lack of clear direction forces them to decide solely on which rhetoric sounds the best, whether or not it’s truly the best, or even good. As James Bovard wrote in “Attention Deficit Democracy,” “The ‘will of the people’ is often simply a measure of how many people fell for which lies, how many people were frightened by which advertisements, and which red herrings worked on which target audiences.”
Apathetic voters are often accused of not appreciating the work of those who have fought for our right to vote by not educating themselves and voting. Maybe they don’t, but the belief that free Americans are obligated to vote contradicts the spirit of freedom for which our ancestors fought.
I talked to a girl who said that she didn’t really know who to vote for, so she just tried to make the best choice based on what she knew. Later, after she was more educated, she couldn’t believe she had voted for him. Each candidate deals with issues people develop serious moral positions about, including stem cell research, abortion, the death penalty, war, taxes, and others. It’s no wonder people sometimes feel guilt about bad voting decisions.
Massive efforts have been made to increase voting among young people. We’ve even witnessed a rhetorical ambiguity called “vote slam.” But we have yet to see a decent level of appreciation for those who don’t vote because of apathy. I would like to thank the girl who stood up to my social studies teacher in high school to defend her right not to vote, and all other apathetic non-voters who chose not to mess with my life. You are a truly underappreciated bunch.
WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT ABOUT THIS DATE? MUSIC FANS SHOULD SEE BEYOND ALBUM RELEASES TO WHAT TRULY MATTER.
By Nakira Howard, Ferris State Torch
Yesterday, two artists went head to head on BET’s 106 and Park countdown show in a presidential style “debate” to decide who has the best album. Kanye West’s, “Graduation” album and 50 Cent’s, “Curtis” album will both released on the same day.
The friendly yet controversial rivalry started when West’s release date for his “Graduation” album was shifted from Sept. 18, 2007 up to Sept. 11, 2007. Conversely, 50 Cents album Curtis was moved from Sept. 4, 2007 to Sept. 11, 2007.
The world of hip hop is very entertaining; so entertaining that a popular gambling website bodog.com had began taking bets on which hip hop artist will sell more albums during its first week.
With all the excitement surrounding the two hip hop artists, let’s not lose sight of what happened six years ago on Sept. 11, 2001. An attack on our nation was what covered our nation’s television screens. The lives of many people along with the nation’s Twin Towers were destroyed.
So while you may have rushed out to support your favorite rappers and purchased their newest work of art, hopefully you took a moment of silence for the 3,478 pronounced dead six years ago the same day.
OFF CAMPUS LIVING OFF CAMPUS CAN BE A DREAM OR A NIGHTMARE, AND THAT IS OKAY.
By James O'Gorman, Editor in Chief
Living on campus had a lot of advantages but just as many disadvantages. As a beginning freshman, I requested to live in the tallest building, on the highest floor – I thought it would be secluded and calm on the 11th floor of Cramer, but I learned better.
Two months into my first year, I had taken enough of a yelling, complaining, blame-shifting roommate that was stuck with a high school mentality, and moved to Pickell. I moved in with someone I knew from about five years prior. In this hall I made many wonderful friends because of the open atmosphere of the dorm.
Sophomore year, I had a private room in Masselink in attempts to avoid problems similar with freshman year. Living by myself, but still in the dorm community, provided much more space and freedom than the year before.
Junior year, I moved towards the off-campus world by staying in the campus housing. Besides the mouse that lived under the sink, this was the coolest place I’d lived so far. I had a kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom all to myself. No one else’s messes to clean up after, and I didn’t have to wear anything to the bathroom in the morning.
Now that I am a senior, I have my second chance to survive living with other people. I met a lot of people in the dorms and through classes and work, and found some that would suit me to live with. We all are around the same age, and are into the same things.
After a month of living on Michigan St. in a well-worn apartment, I couldn’t be happier. We have had people over on weekends, and we all help clean up after. We split everything equally, but we don’t have a problem taking over different expenses individually as long as it is understood. There are no fights over the bathroom or eating someone else’s food, we all share.
I do not regret living in the dorms – I loved it. The friendships that I’ve made will last a long time, and the crazy things that have happened will always bring a smile to my face when I think about them.
If you hate the dorms, that is okay. Your life is not over – only a bad experience can make you realize when something good is happening. Try everything you can! Use college as a testing ground to find out your real likes and dislikes now that you are away from home. Have a great year wherever you are!
INTERNET NO LONGER SAFE FOR WORLD'S OLDEST PROFESSION POLICEMEN TAKE TO THE INTERNET TO TRY AND CURTAIL PROSTITUTION.
By Shane Trejo, Ferris State Torch
In a world full of terrorists, rapists and murderers, it seems as if a law enforcement officer would have too much to do. But don’t tell that to Nassau County, NY police. The streets there are apparently so safe and crime is so minimal (due to Rudy Giuliani, I'm sure) that they have taken to the internet.
Craigslist.org, a popular website in which classified ads are posted, is being used by Nassau County police to set up sting operations in order to catch prostitutes.
“Nassau County has made more than 70 arrests since it began focusing on Craigslist last year, one of numerous crackdowns by vice squads from Hawaii to New Hampshire that have lately been monitoring the Web site closely, sometimes placing decoy ads to catch would-be customers,” a New York Times article on the stings said.
I guess this isn’t the worst thing. If you are stupid enough to prostitute yourself on the internet, you almost deserve to get caught. But at the same time is this really helping anyone?
The police claim that “other crimes involving drugs, weapons, physical abuse and exploitation of minors and immigrants” are related to prostitution, and that these stings lead to a reduction in more serious crimes. But I suggest there is a different motive behind the busts.
The article continued saying, “Most of the arrests are on misdemeanor charges, with convictions resulting in fines of a few hundred dollars; only repeat offenders risk jail time. The real penalties are the disruption of business, the cost of lawyers and the seizures of computers and cash — as much as several thousand dollars at a time.”
Ah yes, money. Instead of going out and actually trying to prevent real crimes, these prostitution stings are set up. More money is pumped into the government system and by proxy into the pockets of the government officials who set them up.
Plus, this doesn’t even stop prostitution. It just hurts the pocketbook of people who are already selling their bodies for money. After the fines and fees, they’ll probably have to work harder in order to make up for the lost cash.
Sadly, this is not just a Nassau County problem, according to the article. It said, “In Westchester County this spring, the police in Greenburgh, Rye, Rye Brook and Elmsford formed a joint task force to investigate ads on Craigslist, resulting in 30 arrests."
“Some of those arrested were out-of-town prostitutes who booked numerous dates in advance, then whisked in for a busy couple of days, the police said.”
If any police start doing this in my community, I will discontinue supporting them. I encourage you all to do the same. The stings do not help anybody except for the corrupt or incompetent people behind them.
KNOW THE EFFECTS YOU HAVE ON MEN WOMEN CAN DO WEIRD THINGS TO MEN, AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO KNOW IT.
By Thomas Wilson, Opinions Editor (& Paul Jarema, Production Manager, see below)
“Men are generally more interested in and responsive to visual sexually arousing stimuli than are women,” according to a PubMed article.
As a male I can attest to this fact. The male sex drive is so easily triggered that I would have to walk around campus blindly just to avoid the temptation of impure thoughts. Some may be asking, “Why should I care?” While this may not apply to everyone’s moral predisposition, I would like women to know, that a lot of men appreciate modesty over conceit.
Many men will desire purity for reasons of religious faith, while others may not. Some men will desire purity for reasons of being faithful to their girlfriend or wife. Some may desire it out of respect for the female gender. I’m sure the majority of women don’t want to be objectified, but when women wear provocative clothing, it becomes very hard for a male not to do so.
So, from the perspective of a man who does not want virtual promiscuity to plague his mind, how should a woman dress? In my experience the most stimulating thing about how a lot of women dress today, is the amount of skin revealed. It doesn’t even have to be cleavage or tight clothes, not to diminish the powerful effects those two aspects can have. A pair of short shorts and a tank top can throw a male through a loop. I realize that it’s hot in the summer, but a few more inches of clothing will go a long way.
“The delicate balance between modesty and conceit is popularity,” Max Beerbohm, an English writer said. Don’t think that you have to dress provocatively to impress men. Attraction need not be superficial. Superficial attraction only lasts for a few moments, while attraction to the entire person will be long lasting.
For women who follow the Christian faith, know that God calls you not to be temptress,’for those who are married or have boyfriends, know that you might tempt other men to be unfaithful, for those who care about male/female equality, know that sex appeal objectifies women.
CLOSET RESTRICTIONS? HARDLY. I CAN'T THINK OF A REASON TO GO BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN
WOMEN WERE SHUNNED FOR SHOWING THEIR KNEES. By Paul Jarema, Production Manager
The argument has been made that women who dress provocatively can tempt and distract men. I agree with this fact. What I disagree with is the fact that some people think this is wrong.
I think when you try to evaluate the problem you have to look at the environment where you think the problem is.
I went to the bar a few times last week and I found myself, like most other guys there, looking around at the clientele. I saw girls wearing all kinds of things; short skirts, tank tops, tight jeans, backless, strapless tops. Now, in a bar situation, there’s nothing wrong with this. People are there to party, to meet new people, and dance the night away.
For some girls, getting ready to go out is the best part of the night. It’s an excuse to get dolled up and maybe wear something a little edgy. I think the girls do it for themselves, too. Actually, it’s not just the fairer sex that likes to get dressed up. I occasionally like to throw on something nicer once in a while. A person’s dress is a form of self expression.
But if I was in a business setting and saw some of the dress I see when I’m out on the town, I’d be shock and appalled.
Furthermore, the argument can be made that women choose what they want to wear. If they want to gain attention from the opposite sex they might choose to wear something revealing. However, I do not concede that this is the only way to attract male attention.
It’s unfortunate that society has gone in this direction but society’s decisions are made by us. Sure we are influenced by various media outlets such as music and movies, but society always wants something edgier. I like it.
Personally, I think that physical attraction is an important factor in a relationship. However, before you get all hot and bothered, I don’t think it’s the only factor in a relationship. I’m the kind of guy that will look at a girl the same way whether she has on a short tight skirt or a pair of jeans.
I was raised Roman-Catholic and went to a Catholic high school. While I don’t attend church every Sunday and may disagree with the Church on some topics, I still consider myself devout. I also understand that interpretations of the Bible might change with the times. What I’m trying to say here is that even though I’m a Catholic, I don’t see a problem with women dressing provocatively; with or without a cross hanging from their neck.
My bottom line is this: there’s a time and a place for provocative clothing. If you wear it, be ready to deal with the extra attention you might draw to yourself. It’s up to the women to decide what to do with that attention.
Men are generally more interested in and responsive to visual sexually arousing stimuli than are women,” according to a PubMed article.