Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 2000)
Opinion _____________ L WEdNEsdAy, FEbßUARy 2, 2000 TI he ClAckAMAs P rìnt Students* Voices... Alarming attitude in ASG about spending The attitude around this in stitution concerning the recent controversy on ASG spending seems to be an alarming ‘let it go’ response. “Don’t you guys have anything better to do” and so on. Let’s get to the root of the matter and stop be ing sidetracked by allegations and conspiracies. Most of us have to pay for one third our tuition at this college. The tax payers in this community have to pay for the other two-thirds. In case this is unclear let me be more direct: These are our families that are working to pay for this college, which in cludes all ASG spending. It is a widely know fact that ASG members do not pay tu ition, that exception is sup posed to be in exchange for representation of the student body and the community. Therefore, ASG and adminis tration should do all possible to serve and protect the com munity, as well as the students at this college, lest they are in violation of the contract they hold in the community. If any members of the community or of the college desire to see for themselves any information re garding tax-money, then they have that legal right without in terrogation or harassment. Myself and a number of other students have requested infor mation relating to ASG spend ing and have either been ha rassed or denied access out right. Why? All the ‘troublemaking’ we have done is asked for itemized receipts for a few expenditures that we felt may have needed more ex planation. Look them up for yourself and maybe you would understand. This is not the college’s money, or ASG’s money, but our families' money. If you took fifty dollars from my family with the agreement to use that money for a good cause, am I a ‘troublemaker’ for inquiring where the money went? Mapy students and members of the Administration seem to con fuse this issue with the contro versy about Student President Jennifer Rankin in the fall. The issues are connected but should not be taken as the same. Jennifer made a brave attempt to have ASG held accountable and she was kicked out, and now ASG will still not be held accountable for the money. To get a comparatively small amount of money to help with childcare for my 2-year-old daughter I have to account for every penny with diligence. Is ASG above this level of account ability? The community is paying for the majority of our education so we as students owe the commu nity the best return for their faith in us. Staying quiet and ignoring the law does not constitute a fair exchange. Luke Precourt Student Freedom of Speech: How far are we free to speak? If Dr. Epstein’s purpose was to thing we want? The First Amendment states that, stir people up, he couldn’t have done a better job than he has in the last “Congress shall make no few weeks. This local controversy law...abridging the freedom of speech, or the press,” While this is follows on the heels of a similar na tional one involving Atlanta Braves open to interpretation, the general consensus is that we have the right pitcher, John Rocker. In a recent is to express our sue of Sports Illus selves without trated, Rocker made having to fear several inflamma Congress shall legal recourse, tory remarks. In re make within reason. sponse, a national Legal prece backlash of criti dents have es cism erupted. Much of tablished some like what is happen limitations. We ing now at CCC, speech, can’t engage in many individuals P™*' Bili of Rights slander or libel, have come forward we can’t harass to condemn John 1st Amendment or threaten Rocker for his preju- people, we can’t diced remarks. yell “I’ve got a When confronted gun” in the airport, and even Dr. with the aftermath of his, and Dr. Epstein’s, remarks I have to wonder, Epstein says, “You can’t yell fire in a crowded theatre.” But Dr. Epstein do we have the right to say any no law...abridging the freedom or the never said he hated homosexuals, or advocated physical violence against them. What about the things we say that don’t directly affect anyone? Should these things be regulated? How do we decide what is accept able or unacceptable? What is of fensive to me might not be to any one else. When we propose to avoid anything that is offensive to anyone, we quickly sink into a mo rass of political correctness. Profan ity is offensive to many people, yet we don’t try to regulate it. Robyn E. Blumner in the January 4,1998, edi tion of the St. Petersburg Times says,” ...you can’t have it both ways. Either you embrace a free so ciety and tolerate objectionable song lyrics, bomb recipes, racially offensive remarks and nude photos, or you enact laws against offensive materials and invite the routine ar rest of writers, artists, photogra phers, philosophers, musicians, sci entists and professors.” I think the next step, after regulating what a per son says, is regulating what they think. Do we even want a world where everyone thinks or says the same things? While were holding candlelight vigils for tolerance of a person’s way of life, can’t we have one for tolerance of their way of thinking? Does Dr. Epstein’s position as a college professor change the issue? Well he didn’t renounce his right tp the First Amendment when he took his job. Besides, part of what we learn at college is how to analyze what we are taught, and make our own decisions about it. To imply that Dr. Epstein has the power to influence people so strongly with a single statement flatters him, and in sults those who would be influ enced. I feel this issue has become yet another platform to debate the mo rality of homosexuality. Voices on both sides make reasonable points, but in the end we all have our own opinions. I’m not defending Dr. Epstein’s opinion; I have my own. I am defending his right to express it however, regardless of his position. A landmark First Amendment case, Cohen v. California, questioned the right of the de fendant to wear a jacket say ing “F___ the Draft.” Supreme Court Justice John M. Harlan said, during, the. case, .“ The First Amendment exists pre cisely to protect the most of fensive and controversial speech from government sup pression. The best way to counter obnoxious speech is with more speech. Persuasion, not coercion, is the solution.” Steve Nielsen Student Letters to the Editor... Advertise in Ihr Headline misrepresents views Education on the value of life My letter regarding Dr. Donald Epstein’s classroom behavior was re cently printed in The Clackamas Print under the headline, “Epstein in the same company with Hitler.” I would like to make it clear that I did not write that headline, nor does it express my point of view. I would not say that ANY Jewish person was “in the same company with Hitler.” I do stand firmly behind my state ment in the letter that, “Dr. Epstein placed himself in horrific company when he said that gays are ‘better off dead.’ It’s stränge and unsettling to realize that this Jewish man and Adolph Hitler would have shared a belief in common.” I thank the Print for its evenhanded reporting on the comments of this in structor and for the attention it has fo cused on the matter. Patricia K. Lichen Student To Shelbi Wescott, feature editor, I was particularly moved by the article you wrote about Brian(Trapp Tribute in last week's Print). While I had seen him over the years around the campus I didn’t have the privi lege of getting to know him. Your thoughtful article brought him to life for me. I want to thank you for your efforts to cement in my mind how much we all will miss him and his special nature. Too often the dis abled are marginalized (especially those with mental challenges). You have helped to educate us all as to the valueof all human beings. I think you have the talent to build on. Human interest stories demand a unique sensitivity and you appear to have that quality. Thanks again. David Campbell Counselor CkckAMAS P rìnt for cheap! Reach a EE 1 D variety of ages and back- grounds that can w c c c L N O Y be found at 1 a c k a m a s o m m u n i i y o 1 1 eg e -j
