The Red and Black (Athens, Ga.) 1893-current, April 08, 2010, Page 6, Image 6

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Newspaper Page Text6 Thursday, April 8, aoio | The Red a Black CMsm Cook | Editor In Chief editor@randb.com DmM Burnett | Managing Editor me@randb.com Yatmin Yonis | Opinions Editor opinions@randb.ram Our Take Majority opinions of The Red & Black’s editorial board Campaign clean Student Government candidates must remind themselves of their true goals Enough is enough. As SGA elections have heated up, both cam paigns the Green Team and The Snapshot have received substantial news coverage from The Red & Black and have been allowed space on this page to advocate for their candidacies through opinion columns and letters. The Red & Black editorial board under stands the importance of having a voice for students on issues that affect them but when those voices become yelling matches between opposing campaigns a line must be drawn. Both campaigns have students passion ate about making a real change on campus. Unfortunately, a few students both members and non-members of the campaigns have decided to partake in petty arguments, bashing of opposing campaigns, underhanded tactics and have a false sense of entitlement for cover age, which has tainted both campaigns. The opinions page is a forum for discussion on issues of importance by the University com munity. It is not a place to display behavior more suitable for a elementary school play ground than a professional newspaper. We all want the same things an effective SGA that will represent UGA students with integrity and maturity. Let’s start acting like it. Yasmin Yonis for the editorial board Mailbox E-mail and letters from our readers Both SGA campaigns capable of leadership The partisanship in Wednesday’s opinion col umns and letters leaves me worried. With the final day of elections upon us, it is imperative that we make educated decisions. In the spirit of full dis closure. I am a candidate for Franklin senator with The Snapshot. I firmly believe it and its candi dates are offering concrete solutions. However, I also acknowledge that there are qualified candidates working with the Green Team. In these final hours, continue to ask both parties tough questions. Challenge their platforms. Where there are numbers and promises, verify. I am confident that The Snapshot can answer these questions. Regardless the out come, SGA will continue to serve as the organized voice of students on this campus. Though many find SGA ineffective, over the past year I have seen countless examples prov ing otherwise. I have con fidence in the next gen eration of student leaders who are willing and able to serve you and your inter ests at the University of Georgia. WELLS ELLENBERG Freshman, St. Simons History and poMkal sc lance Few verses don’t ruin whole Bible In his letter to the edi tor, “Religion not rational basis for argument,” pub lished April 6, Alan Reese ironically demands that people base all of their opinions on reason when he clearly does not under stand simple logic. The first question able thing Reese does In his letter is attack the Idea of using the Bible as a relevant source when making ethical decisions QpMont apkMM In Th Rad t Mi m t opnom of lx ttmn n) pl laoMkrty don dUm M M Mi PuM—ig Comply Inc. Hjfitmnml Rpinw frptmknfcm !—i NEWS: 706433-3002 Nam (dNor: Cvoy OYM 1 C r-jlf I-, I IjarJ p—I— - • "Wn UiW| Sporti Editor Rachel 0. Dtmn Vadoty EdHor Courtnay Smkh Photo Editor: KMhodnoPoco UOPY OOBOr: DWT. rQp^ BMoMßaid rrltlnr fliMtarmi Clminumlii fwunnm conui 0* '' r, y o** EdNorW Cartoon*** M Rchodi ritftrrTii fufrtr Cd Word* -l **-. -k canons mttrnrnmn. way w*Af* rr ** n Mor Motor: Codyii CM and life choices because it is essentially “claiming something to be true just because it is.” He particu larly argues this fact about same-sex marriage. He does not, however, say why he thinks same-sex mar riage should be allowed, other than he thinks it should be allowed, thereby falling into the same type of circular logic he criti cizes. Mr. Reese goes on to say, “Once we denounce the one [verse of the Bible] to be profane and untrue, we must denounce them all.” What he apparently misses is that just because one verse of the Bible is “untrue” does not mean every verse in the Bible is necessarily untrue. So what he is saying is that just because Leviticus denounces and calls for punishment of homo sexuality, when Exodus denounces homicide it is also wrong. Christ is also wrong when he says to love your neighbor as thy self. Christ is also wrong when he says to love your neighbor as thyself. If his logic were to be followed in all cases concerning all subjects then the strides made in the civil rights movement by Martin Luther King, Jr. must be written off because he was an adulterer, nearly, this is not so. Reese either needs to take a class on logic so that he can be able to not only see the speck in his neighbor’s eye, but the beam in his own or he needs to spend less time dabbling in the realm of philosophy and more time with his fire music. He might have realized this if he had cracked open a Bible even once. Even if he disagrees with certain lines, there is still good advice to be found in it. PATRICK GARCIA Sophomore, Augusta Political idinci UUnuiMkMi f nflnn 11^1^. *woo^^opni^. jv'Ofl*' u ■■■ *• - . rn, -- -I n.„ p. r , lju r WimOw* Ouiwi, OSS ASi wOpsa*! Jacob OamrnOt Doha Duncan, Brtana QaeOaman, Raiaa I lull infn rn AoMm, I t-A fliirtna i I,IK ■■ll | naowinw'i Asnwy rwju tynmoy nosTm JsnrHiw .jonnion Aiaon Loughnwn. Jacob loual. Pdna Martnovi, OMptunN wood*, ah lojflwa*, twa *wK, moin CcWyn Saotot, Anno-Crt)f Shadd. Japan Sm*i Adna X/Omor, many w raaga vafnas, wot watae Sportt WiSara: Banjamm Buaaard. Chdt D'AnMb, Zaefi DM. Mfchaal Fkzpttk*. baa Kcrm Eduard Wm. Dadd wn&w rscK fiir, nmPtr aonreon ■---- Hf.Mim ■- - o.i w WTS' *SW ISUIy AusHnOn! vWI Bawd Harper Brldpara. Aden Cartaon. Maine Cohan, Anna CcnmugMon. KMMaan Dairy. Mai Ewm. Anna Opinions ~ t: t Image of heartless conservatives false They say: “If you’re young and a conservative, you have no heart. If you’re old and a lib eral, you have no brain.” Although I’ve heard this adage many times. I’ve never understood how conservatives earned a reputa tion for being heartless. Asa fiscal conservative who makes numerous charitable contri butions and prides herself on being empathetic and concerned for her fellow man, I feel this stigma is undeserved. So I decided to do some research and resolve once and for all are conservatives really heart less? This exercise proved much easier than I initially planned, as Arthur C. Brooks, president of American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, has already written a book on the subject, “Wfto Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism.” After poring over surveys and research, Brooks came to a startling conclusion, one that even he —a former liberal was shocked to discover. In short, he found, liberals are markedly less charitable than con servatives. The long version went something like this: People who call themselves “very conservative” or “conservative” give about 30 percent more to charity than those who consider themselves “very liberal” or “liberal,” despite the fact that liberals earn about six percent more than conservatives. FINAL THOUGHTS Green Team brings Snapshot provides experience to table inclusive platform Simply speak ing, Student Government is all about tangible goals. The next administra tion will be Judged on its ability to achieve what it promised during the cam paign. Last year, you trusted me to fight to gain stu dent allocation of the activity fee for the first time in nearly 30 years. I was able to make good on that promise. During this tumultuous budget cri sis, UGA needs someone with a record of proven leadership to relentlessly advocate for you, no questions asked. This is why I’m running for your president and asking for your vote. On behalf of the Green Team, thank you for allowing us to have a discussion with you this past week. I have been privileged to speak with you one-on-one about your concerns and share our consistent platform of saving students money. Our Staff KntonM. Soph* logttnan, Cyndyl MoCtAchaon. mscti>w' wifaociiA t oncur, lyrom Hwgfi, vvyfifl oaTnmons, awvw y rinpuafio iMM liyw, MM VMnM, Cum *‘ lMrSii***-*-- i-- CW VhQUSc ’vCnyigt WfWslii. MlCngW VfiViTWOfTn JOS WMcffW OMM Photograph*: hw BbntcmNp Ptwtognpharn Frmn*t Fabtm, Un&ay Qropan, Mich-I Mum* trwy midi, jcn wm. uorotny Konowwo thorn Uptvtn. Laura UcOarw lauran Moot. Sort Padiam, Uy Pilc, Jm* Rpcdy. DM Sh 7. AV% SMHmI. Jon oiwvnn, jwn WWW, MOBy Wf Hft Ocdgncn: Courtnty Clwk. Jculca CM. Brtary QuMp. Jtnrthr Quyn. Anandi Joncc. Aim Kcfcctovc TMm NmiiiW. RoM Orta OvmmMim JjjV Kati Parham Conservatives also donate more time and give more blood, Brooks reported. In fact, if liberals gave blood like conservatives do, the blood supply in the U.S. would increase by about 45 percent. So, conservatives are more gen erous than liberals. But what about young liberals the most vocally concerned party? Brooks reported young liberals are one of the least generous demo graphic groups. In 2002, they were 12 percent less likely to give money to chari ties, and one-third less likely to give blood than young conservatives. In 2004, liberals younger than 30 belonged to one-third fewer organizations in their communities than young conservatives and were significantly less likely than young conservatives to express a willing ness to sacrifice for their loved ones. Now, before you get all riled up, let’s make sure we're on the same page as far as what constitutes charity. Brooks defines charity as monetary or nonmonetary such as gifts of time or blood religious or secular; and formal —a check written to the Red Cross or infor mal money given to a homeless person. What is not considered charity? Paying taxes, which is not a volun Cameron Wj Secoro This year, the election is bigger than Student Government Itself. The upcoming academic year will prove critical for all students across campus, as our university navi gates one of the most try ing times in decades. As my past has shown, I will ensure that your voice is heard during this process. A vote for the Green Team is a vote for experienced leadership, practical solutions and saving you money. It has been my honor to serve you this past year, and I hope that you will trust me once again to give your money your voice. Cameron Secord is SOA vice president and is running for SOA presi dent with the Green Team ADVERTISING: 706433-3001 rmiuuiiiy uirociar. ricipa •slwi SfeNltnt AtfvgflWnQ MfftAQtf: Mtfl QofljWi iWnPijf Mgngyßv. Afing LvwWig, nsgrrai, uw Push Account ImcuPvu: KaTMrra BkokMd Ah Dwnrwl Umw Jflßd. 91MPf JOMfPI. CMI MpM. JMdP Rooks sMg AggCMWi ngWP 3wai wgNOti. uP^lnVi *- - ll-1-. Iflinit) .I tgnowi, sojf CISIIIHK smsnds Qotath ClsuWsd SmwssplM' ii: Undsty lack. Jtnns Vhtt Ad Asslikknkr Emit Johns. Thomas Pulsm Poulsßon Msnspst: Wsks Mokns Ad CrasM Asstsksnt. Chsss Dudlsy Phone (706) 433-3002 | tt*x (706) 433-8033 oplnionN@randb.coin | www.redandblack.com 540 Baxter Street, Athens, Qa. 30605 tary sacrifice by individuals. Believe it or not, Brooks found that people who reject the idea that “govern ment has a responsibility to reduce income inequality” give an average of four times more than people who accept that notion. Now, we know President Barack Obama is a big proponent of help ing the underprivileged, but is he willing to reach into his own pock ets to do so? According to their tax returns between 2000-2005, the Obamas gave about 1.5 percent of their adjusted gross income to charity and Vice President Joe Biden and his wife gave a mere 0.1 percent. Asa point of reference, former President George W. Bush and his wife gave about 11.3 percent and former Vice President Cheney and his wife gave about 31.7 percent. Well, it looks like liberals talk a big game about being compassion ate, but compared to conservatives, they are much more reluctant to express their compassion with their time or their wallet. They are, how ever, willing to express their com passion with your wallet, as they continue to vote for higher taxes for you. So, next time you want to call a conservative heartless, let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of them as compassionate because they voluntarily donate their time and money to those less fortunate, without asking anything from you. Kate Parham is a senior from Roswell majoring in magazines A lot has been said about The Snapshot over the past week, and I need to clarify some issues. I have a proven three year record in SGA of producing results for students. ‘Real Representation produc ing Real Solutions’ is what we’re about. Too many students are not in the picture. Student organizations are the experts on their own issues, and they deserve a vote in SGA, especially now that SGA recommends how much money organizations are allocated. We have remained con sistent in our message to students. Though we have clari fied our message on the issues you care about, our positions have remained the same. We said we cared about the budget crisis from day one— we do. Representation is the solution. As Georgia’s EdtofW board mwnbgn mctato Palp Sowmtn OmM Burnt!, CMm Cook, MtahaK Rbptfriok. RMi Hiturifiam. Patrick Hoopar Nathan Soranaan, inf Yaamm Yonla. Mm Josh f Delaney flagship institution, we will strengthen the Board of Regents’ Student Advisory Council (made up of statewide SGAs). Together we will fight to get a student on the Board of Regents. By hav ing a voice where budget decisions are made, all 300,000 students state wide can collectively fight to save higher education. Our plans are feasible because we have done our homework with adminis trators. Know that a vote for The Snapshot is a vote for inclusive representa tion of all students at all levels of decision-making. Josh Delaney is SOA University Council Advisor and is running for SOA president with The Snapshot fttniii irdlnn lAmmm. ** flu, , ■ mmMVIRAi . Mill rnUVv AsaNMnt RvaalioUQn bNawßif * Joab Oamaß Predwdkh (Mh Dili FW*ig. PiMh KSh*. 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The Red and Black (Athens, Ga.) 1893-current, April 08, 2010, Page 6, Image 6