Tempe census no misdeed to students
So, let me get this straight. Are ASU students citizens of Tempe or not? According to the "Boos & Bravos" last Friday, The State Press wants us to think we're not and to be outraged that Tempe would want to include its large student population in a government census, which should adequately reflect the number of people living in the city.
Why should we "Boo" this idea? Why are we doing Tempe a favor by simply registering the fact that we're living here, however temporary it may be? And furthermore, why does the city of Tempe owe us anything for filling out forms we're legally required to complete?
It seems like whenever someone complains about the student presence in this city, The State Press is all over it, proclaiming "we're residents too!" and making martyrs out of our students.
However, when the city does recognize us as residents, we chafe under it. Or at least The State Press does.
Is this all we can do? Stir up resentment and hate? Why can't students and the other residents of this town work to make it a better, more lively and encouraging atmosphere? Are we any better than those who complain about students, if all we do is complain about Tempe?
--Megan Smith,
ASU student
Goldsmith exhibition disputed
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am deeply offended by the use of torn pages from the Book of Mormon in "Crow's New Office," the display set up on Cady Mall by Brandon Goldsmith on Thursday.
To members of the church throughout the world, the Book of Mormon is a sacred record like the Bible ... Its message has changed my life and the lives of many others. Tearing pages out of this holy book is like tearing them out of the Bible, the Torah or the Quran.
This is not art. This is an ugly form of hate speech that should not be tolerated on our campus. It doesn't matter what Goldsmith advocates, he has no business destroying the sacred text of another religious group and putting it on display.
There are other ways to make a point about censorship than resorting to cowardly "Mormon bashing."
--Brian Christopher Nyberg,
ASU alumnus
In response to Mr. Goldsmith's censorship display and desire to create dialogue, I'd like to add my own dialogue. First, why do people have a problem with Mr. Fulton or anyone sticking to their beliefs?
Would anyone give money to a school or organization that supports something heavily contrary to his or her own beliefs, such as a neo-Nazi group? Mr. Fulton is exercising his freedom of speech and his freedom to spend his money.
It seems that Mr. Goldsmith thinks that Ira Fulton and a bunch of Mormons are trying to take over the school.
--Joshua Boyle,
ASU student
English-only bill debated
It amazes me that the representatives of this state can be so close-minded. To assume that it would be so easy for Spanish-speaking adults to learn another language -- I'd like to see one of these representatives go out and learn a new language.
It's just not that easy. To think that this state would have an issue with printing documents in two languages (which close to one third of the population would use) is outrageous.
If the United States government does not have an official language, why do these representatives deem it important that we in Arizona have one?
... I just feel that diversity in this state and this country are what make it great.
--Paul Molter,
ASU alumnus
I would simply like to point out that if an American goes to live in another country, that American is expected ... to learn the language of that country if they do not already speak it.
This country should not be any different.
If people want to come here, please do, but learn our language.
--Nicole Rouen,
ASU student
Devil Dish brings nostalgia
Thanks for the reminder of the historic Hank Aaron event [April 8 Devil Dish]. I watched with many others in the Student Union as Hank cranked that drive. What an electric moment.
Sorry to say I wasn't at Appomattox when General Lee surrendered, but I did visit there a few years ago.
Thanks for the ASU memories.
--Teddy Pesano,
ASU alumnus
Hanson column contradiction
I am responding to Macy Hanson's article [April 7]. He criticizes Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, for adding a footnote to the Arizona budget that would cut state funding for The State Press. He claims that the footnote is nothing more than "backdoor censorship" and a "violation of the free press."
Sadly, his statements are bleeding with fallacies. You are not being censored because the government is not telling you what you can and cannot say. Further, the idea of a "free" press funded by tax dollars is ridiculous at best --the very idea of the press being free involves its separation from government.
--Tristan Bigler,
ASU student
Headline lacks taste
I was very disturbed to see the headline, "Out with the old, in with the old" in the sports section [Friday]. While the editors tried to be clever in rewriting the old saying, I (as many other students) found it tasteless and quite frankly, very offensive.
Dr. Christine Wilkinson is one of the very few administrators at ASU who goes out of her way to interact with students on a daily basis. She is intelligent, experienced and will do a superb job as interim athletic director.
Please show a little respect in word choice and how your headlines may be interpreted in the future.
--Andrew Moe,
ASU student