THE
MAROON EDITORIAL
Established 1923 • “For a Greater Loyola”
EDITORIAL BOARD DANIEL MONTEVERDE editor in chief LINDSEY NETHERLY news editor NICOLE WROTEN Life & Times editor LAUREN LaBORDE editorial editor TARA TEMPLETON ALEX WOODWARD senior staff writers ROSIE DAO multimedia editor
KATHLEEN MCCANN chief copy editor RAMON VARGAS sports editor STEVE KASHISHIAN MICHAEL NISSMAN photo editors CATHERINE COTTON design editor
EDITORIAL
Taking the long way home AT ISSUE: Recent
troop surge fuels more anti-Bush criticism When President Bush declared war on Iraq in 2003, did you imagine America would be in the state it is today? Millions of people tuned in to watch President Bush address the nation last Wednesday evening, only to hear him proposing an increase of 20,000 troops to aid in rebuilding the Iraqi government and military. As of January 2007, CNN reports 3,017 troops have given their lives. At least 22,834 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon. These numbers are not impressive. Military forces have been exhausted the last three years due to soldiers being assigned to multiple duty stations and deployments; many have served more than two tours in Iraq, according to CNN reports. What is the definition of victory? What is the price Americans must pay for the freedom of others? It’s been more than five years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, and American soldiers are still fighting a seemingly endless war overseas. Though the United States Defense Department admits there has been much retaliation during the recovery process in Iraq, Bush continues to avoid an exit strategy. So now that there have been conclusions that there were no weapons of mass destruction found, and Saddam Hussein has been executed by his own government, when is Bush going to bring our men and women home? The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are sensitive issues to the American people, especially when we see yellow ribbons tied around trees, flags in our neighborhoods and bumper stickers reading “Support our Troops” daily. Hearing another solider wounded or killed on the news not only saddens us but ignites more fury towards the war. During Bush’s speech, he admitted that previous U.S. military offensives have failed by saying, “Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me.” Maybe we should give Bush credit for finally admitting his mistakes, but why not apologize by not putting our men and women on the frontlines? Americans have long blamed Bush for the war. Our deepest criticisms have been made clear about this war, pushing our Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield to resign and causing Bush’s approval ratings to plummet. While we understand that America is the land of opportunity, and freedom is not free, there must be limits to sacrifice. Hopefully when the presidental election in 2008 occurs, our next commander in chief will learn from Bush’s mistakes, work for the American people and rebuild our military to protect American soil, not others’.
PAGE 10
THE
MAROON
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2007
OTHER OPINIONS
EDITORIAL POLICY
Fans benefit from ‘fake news’ BY JONATHAN GARDENER EAST CAROLINIAN (EAST CAROLINA U.)
(U-WIRE) GREENVILLE, N.C. - Monday through Thursday, millions of television viewers turn their sets to Comedy Central to watch a late-night hour of “fake” satirical news. “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart, and its “rightwing” counterpart, “The Colbert Report,” have quickly become two of Comedy Central’s toprated shows, fighting over the number one spot with “South Park.” And while the two shows spend their timeslot bringing humor to the headlines, not everyone is laughing. Many believe that Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are corrupting today’s youth, leaving them uninformed about politics and uninformed about the media. Do these two comedians really leave their audience in the dark, or is there something more than meets the eye? A campaign has spread across the United States, mostly by way of the Internet, to have a Stewart/Colbert office in 2008. By way of bumper stickers, T-shirts and even a stewartcolbert08.com Web site, people everywhere are showing their support of the duo. According to an MSNBC interview with Jon Stewart, the campaign is for naught. The comedian stated that he has no intention of running for office, but says that the campaign is “a real sign of how sad people are” with the government. But do his supporters think the same way? Are they in real support of a Stewart/Colbert in 2008, or are they expressing discontent with the government? A similar question applies to the viewers of the show. Do they take “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” as legitimate news sources, or as a comedy show on a comedy channel? Well, this
all depends on whether the two shows could be taken as a legitimate news source or not. According to research done by the University of Pennsylvania, during the 2004 elections, viewers who watched “The Daily Show” were more informed about the election than those who watched other late-night talk shows, such as David Letterman and Jay Leno. The research also showed that viewers of Jon Stewart were more informed than some who watched ABC News, CBS and NBC. Personally, I see “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” as a filter for news. They’re quick, 30-minute programs that get straight to the important news, while adding humor to it. So instead of wading through news about celebrity break-ups or an ongoing fight between Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell, I get the big stories right away. Then, if the story interests me, I’ll get on CNN’s Web site to get a detailed look. The two shows also report on subjects that other news programs normally wouldn’t touch. If there’s something important going on in the Senate, Stewart and Colbert will report on it, but they’ll also mention the Senator who’s doing a crossword puzzle on the Senate floor. Do “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” corrupt the viewers when it comes to politics? That depends on your definition of corruption. They make their viewers more aware of international politics, while at the same time, making them more likely to question national politics. They ask the questions that need to be asked but rarely give the entire story. On their own, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are harmless. They’re comedians who poke fun at politics. The problem lies with those who don’t see them as comedians, but see them as political figureheads.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Sports symbolize city’s rebirth Dear editor: It’s safe to say that the Saints are the heartbeat of New Orleans. An indescribable aura surrounds the team and their magical, and seemingly destined, season. This is an organization that endured a nomadic 3-13 season only a year ago and has since cleaned out their entire coaching staff along with unwanted players. With a fresh philosophy under Sean Payton and the on-field exploits of new faces like Brees, Bush and Colston, along with past heroes like McAllister and Horn, the Saints have united to achieve unforeseen success this year. New Orleans is a city with a soul embodied in sports. From Saints-themed sermons on Sunday mornings to citywide “black and gold” days like last Friday before the Eagles game, this city embraces sports as a microcosm of its lifestyle and attitude, which makes the Saints’ success extra special in the midst of an ongoing recovery and rebuilding process. The Saints’ extraordinary run can be attributed to many things. Some may say that divine intervention or grace has played a role. Others may simply say that the Saints have maybe the most talent of any team in the franchise’s 40 year history. Whatever the case, this football team is a perfect representation of the resurgence of the city and its people.
However, there is still much work to be done. While the Saints have represented the success that has been achieved so far, another New Orleans pro sports franchise symbolizes the work that is to come. The Hornets basketball team is based in Oklahoma City this season but has a six-game schedule at the New Orleans Arena. As an avid fan and season ticket holder, I have realized that the Hornets’ situation differs from the Saints’ because it represents the potential for progress in New Orleans’ future rather than the progress that has already occured. Their displacement and injury-riddled season are metaphors for the adversity that is still present for New Orleanians, natives or not, who are taking part in the rebirth of our city. The Hornets will make a full-time return to New Orleans next season, and hopefully, if they enjoy a level of success somewhere near the Saints’, it will provide another stepping stone in this endeavor. Like the Saints, we have accomplished a lot already, but like the Hornets, there is much more work to be done in the coming future. Sincerely, Andy Pham English writing freshman
The editorials on this page represent the majority opinions of The Maroon’s editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Loyola University. Letters and columns reflect the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of The Maroon’s editorial board. The Maroon does not represent the opinion of administration, staff, and/or faculty members of Loyola. Letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and style. Please limit submissions to 400 words. Submissions are due no later than 4 p.m. the Sunday before publication. Please send all submissions to The Maroon, 6363 St. Charles Ave., Box 64, New Orleans, LA 70118 Or write us via e-mail: letter@loyno.edu. Submissions may also be made through The Maroon Online at www.loyolamaroon.com.
HOWLS & GROWLS HOWL to the Saints, for continuing to amaze us. GROWL to cold weather. (Cold for New Orleans, at least). HOWL to Brangelina for moving to the French Quarter. GROWL to long, emotional Golden Globe acceptance speeches. HOWL to Tommy, our feline friend. GROWL to Americans for thinking they can sing for the 6th year on American Idol.
SOUND OFF ONLINE OPINION POLL • FORUMS w w w. l o y o l a m a r o o n . c o m
“The commencement of anything of consequence in this material world that surrounds us is made with a certain definite object in view. The Maroon, which makes its commencement today, has for its goal of endeavor: A Greater Loyola.” — NOV. 1, 1923