opinion
Wednesday, May 7, 2007
TheClackamas Print
1
■ETTERS TO THE EDITOR
udents respond to ASG action, transgender issue, underage smoking
Dear Editor:
' ASG is proving once again to
. a ^’ascti organization.
J Without concern for the stu-
nt body, they have made a
;h decision - not that that is
j first time I have seen some-
ng likl this from them.
'IHBAssociated
Student
•vemnlent is exactly what it
'■s: associated with the student
iy, but concerned seemingly
re with their own desires, so
ch so that they would pull up
charges against Jayc Izso,
wants to be ASG president
has »desire to connect with
students here.
MHKthan just saying he is
e for them. Izso has made a
inection with students, and
t seems to make him a target
false accusations. I believe
i to be highly uncalled for,
I it just proves that the lead-
ip here needs some serious
rk.
Sincerely,
Greg Stein. Writers’ Club
President
Phi T®a Kappa Vice
President of Scholarship
I just read “Advocate opens doors
for transgender youth,” and I have a few
opinions.
For one, I believe the article was one
sided. For it to be truly objective, the
article should have presented views from
opposing sides or transgender beliefs.
Being a Christian, I believe that peo
ple are created purposefully and gender
is not a choice.
Presenting the article from one view
is irresponsible and not fair to people
who believe they are transgender.
Don’t take this wrong.
I agree that everybody, from all walks
of life, including transgender youth,
should be helped through their situation,
but TransActive is not the only source
they have.
Thank you for bringing attention to
an important subject, but also consider
being less subjective next time.
- Gideon Hawkins
Dear Editor:
I think that transgender is sad and wrong.
I wish that parents would become more in
volved in their children’s lives so that they
could help them before it’s too late.
I know that my parents have always had
a big influence on my life, and it has kept me
from getting into trouble.
I always felt that I could talk to my par
ents about anything. I would ask the “hard
questions,” and I wouldn’t feel belittled. My
cousin, however, was raised with a working
dad and mom. She never talked to them, and
they never talked to her. She has been in jail
and has had her license taken away for drunk
driving. I know that she would be different
had she been close to her parents.
Parents need to make a stand for their
kids. I know that it may be awkward at times
and you would like to leave it to someone
else, but it’s your job. Think of your children
before yourself and you will be amazed at
the outcome.
-Hannah Hunt
know what this says to me;
ys that ASG has now become
uppet for the administration
his college and, more impor-
ly, a Iprrupt institution that
onger serves the students, but
¡college’s pocket books. This
sad day. as we’re watching
destroyed on even
smallest of levels. You are
forced Ito vote for Michael
J that pot a dictatorship? If
hing, I can admittedly state
this Bourse of action has
igthened my resolve and, if
lung, brought me closer to
,-ery students I have promised
sfcresent. Perhaps it’s time to
n® a Representative Student
I «toment, one that represents
tudents, not one that is simply
ociated” with them.
will be available for ques-
’1 front any and all students
1 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Monday,
Inesday and Friday, in the
imunity Center for two weeks
- the publication of this paper.
This letter is in response to the Helen
Conley article entitled, “Advocate opens
doors for transgender youth.”
I was surprised and delighted to read
an article that deals with a subject often
overlooked in the smaller-town news
publications, and was very pleased with
the objectivity and encouraging ending
tone present in it.
Having known quite a few trans
gender individuals in my lifetime, it’s
wonderful to see an advocacy group
get some press. There is a transgender
woman who helps out in my church,
and I’ve heard her tell of dating men
who, when they have found out her
original gender, have shunned and even
beaten her.
I’m delighted to see that there are
others around fighting for the rights of
women and men in the alternative life
style. Kudos to you.
— Sam Tongue
Dear Editor,
I just finished reading your column
called “Underage smokers light up despite
laws.” I very much agree with the state
ment that we have to take the step to help
students before the age of 15 to 17.
I think that before we can help the
young children, there has to be a change
in home environment. Most children learn
from example, and if Mom and Dad are
smokers, then it makes it much harder to
help the students. I think that it confuses
students and kids to get one message from
the school - say, not to smoke - but to go
home and it is an OK thing.
Thank you for bringing attention to
this issue.
- Hannah Schreindl
Letter by Jayc Izso
At 4:50 p.m., the Associated
dent Government called for
. immediate removal and, thus,
cellation of my candidacy for
sident of our student body here
campus.
This ^action was made immedi-
ly after I requested the adviser/
■or of the “student” govem-
nt, as well as the vice presi
lt, to step down from their posi-
is on the elections committee
: to unethical procedure. Both
repre^httativ e and I were lied
- about the very student con
ation that is supposedly being
ield - as well as prevented
n campaigning due to the fact
: I, like the rest of the students,
e to work to survive.
rhis leaves one presidential
dictate lor students to vote for,
who admittedly is “under the
g” of Tim Lussier - you may
ember him as the die-hard
iliblicanwho broke the law by
g about his identity in order to
kK into i Democratic conven-
Dear Editor:
Dear Editor
Transgender advocate Jenn Burleton performs with her band, Uncommon
Women, at the Take Back the Night event last month.
Dear Editor:
Underage smoking is a huge prob
lem everywhere. Lots of people start
smoking for different reasons.
In my opinion, “being stressed out”
isn’t a valid reason to start smoking
and possibly put your life in danger.
Just because someone got a bad grade
on a paper doesn’t mean they should
start smoking.
Smoking doesn’t only harm the
smoker, but also the nonsmokers who
happen to be standing around the
smoker.
Every day I see young smokers
smoking outside of the buildings.
There is always at least one per
son standing five feet from the door
smoking.
I thought there was an “at least 25
feet from the doorway” smoking rule.
In my opinion, the campus security
guards should be enforcing the 25-
feet rule, as well as the underage
smoker rule.
I think that any underage smoker
should pay a fine, whether it be their
first time being caught or any other
time after that.
No one can really stop someone
else from smoking, but they can make
more rules to make it harder for
smokers to smoke, underage or not.
In conclusion, this article was
a good article, and I am looking
forward to reading more about the
underage smoking problem.
- Sidra Popma
Anyone is welcome to respond to any and all content published
in The Clackamas Print.
Send letters by e-mail to chiefed@clackamas.edu or deliver
them to Roger Rook Hall, room 135.
I am responding to “Underage smokers
light up despite laws.” I agree with most of it,
but not all of it
I agree with how it’s estimated that 90 per
cent of smokers started before the age of 21.1
started at the age of 14, and most people I know
started young. Most of ten are under 21.
I don’t know ifl disagree, but I don’t believe
that Lisa Nielson has never had a non-student
start smoking in her class. When I was in
school, usually all the new' kids started smok
ing at my school because everyone else was
thing it
I believe that people should be educated,
not punished. It only makes people angry, and
they rebel against it For me, I hate being told
what to do, so I will do the exact opposite. But
if somebody truly cares and wants to help. I
will listen.
-Shannon Shay
Dear Editor
I am responding to the “underage smokers
law” column.
Smoking I cigarettes in today's society is con
sidered a social norm. Virtually every workplace
will give at least one smoke break. Most children
will recognize Camel Joe before our president
These kick aren’t dumb; we tell them, "smoking
is bad,’ ’ yet as a nation we all light up.
I believe if parents do not want underage
kids to smoke, they need to set an example! You
know' the old saying, "Do as I say, not as I do’"?
Well, it only works for so long.
-Alexis Dalling
NOTE: Letters may have
been edited for clarity
and space.