State should prosecute campus robbers

Editorial

Recent events at the University of North Florida have raised questions about violent acts students can commit without repercussion.

The University Police Department caught two UNF students and identified a third accomplice who committed an armed robbery near the Crossings Sept. 9. The culprits intimidated the students with a knife and demanded they turn over their wallets, only to return them after finding a mere $2 between the two victims.

Then they told them they were criminal justice students working on a project for UPD.

UPD referred the case to the Florida State Attorney's Office, but the state chose not to prosecute - an action that indicates acceptance of the students' behaviors.

The decision sends a message to students and Jacksonville residents that it's OK to conceal and threaten people with weapons. They can even check the victim's money clip to gauge whether anything is worth stealing that day without fear of prosecution.

The incident won't appear on the robbers' records, so they are free to enjoy the civil rights of law-abiding citizens, which include potentially working in law enforcement and other public service jobs.

Although the victims aren't injured and the culprits returned their wallets, the victims probably don't feel as safe on campus as they did before the incident. In fact, they probably feel a bit uneasy just walking to and from class now.

In the legal system, much thought is put into emotional and mental losses when determining proper punishment and monetary settlements. Even though the victims might have mentally recovered from the incident, the message sent to other students is too negative to be acceptable.

The Sunshine State puts so much emphasis on attempting to restrain gun violence that its reaction to knife robberies is somewhat surprising and inconsistent.

Florida's 10-20-LIFE mandate guarantees a minimum of 10 years in prison for offenders who possess a firearm or "destructive device." A knife up close can be just as deadly as a gun, but for some reason, the state doesn't see need to take punitive actions.

Stabbings are more frequently committed out of passion than shootings, which are often premeditated. Pocketknives are more available than guns because of the safety hazards and permit requirements involved in carrying guns.

Because Florida is not taking the initiative to punish the robbers, UPD is referring the students to Student Conduct.

Typical punishments following referrals include writing essays and apologies, according to students who have been involved with on-campus correctional situations.

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SG attributes early success to attainable goals

Editorial

It's September and Student Body President Rachael Tutwiler and Vice President A.J. Souto are on track to fulfilling promises they made to students in their 2007 campaign - something that is not often said of new leadership so early in the school year.

The executive leaders promised an African-American studies minor, extended Starbucks hours, student ID cards that would function as debit cards, limited free printing from school computers and increased school spirit.

Tutwiler and Souto extended Starbucks hours Aug. 27. Now students can sit on the recently delivered leather couches and enjoy coffee favorites until midnight Monday through Thursday, and for shorter hours on the weekends.

Tutwiler is collaborating with Auxiliary Services on the new ID card program, and students who have their old cards can obtain new ones with the new technology in November. However, no one can use the debit service until a bank is chosen and arrangements are made. After November, student ID cards will be credited with 10 free prints at the beginning of each semester - a $1.10 value - and printing rates will fall from $0.11 to $0.05 during fall and spring exam weeks.

The number of students who utilize the benefits will only save enough to buy a 16-ounce Coke, but it's a step in the right direction that might one day lead to unlimited free printing.

Tutwiler, former president of the African American Student Union, said they need more student interest in the proposed minor before administration will act on the idea. Minority studies are important, but if students don't want to take the courses, it might not be economically viable - especially since the university needs every penny it can save.

Tutwiler and Souto credit their early progress to the fact that their early promises were realistic and attainable.

Past student body presidents and vice presidents promised free oil changes for students, a free maid service in the dorms and feminine hygiene products in the bathrooms - ideas that were too costly and lacked feasibility at the time. Students were angry at the end of the year when they didn't see what they voted for.

Students living on campus don't have free maids, but on the sunnier side, other promises from the past - like a shuttle system and skate park - really did come true. It took a few years to raise the money and finalize contracting plans, but consecutive presidential teams honored past goals to finish projects and improve student life.

Tutwiler and Souto still have a way to go in fulfilling all of their promises, but with the progress they're making, remaining patient throughout the year will be easier knowing the executive branch is concerned with following through. Wading through university bureaucracy is an often timely and frustrating process - it takes hard work to get administrators to change procedures. Go by One Stop and you'll see all the signatures you need to make even the smallest things happen.

Our leaders need to stand up for what is right and make their word their bond, or government promises will be hard to believe. Hopes are high for the completion of UNF presidential promises as work continues to be done. Perhaps this year will set a precedent for years to come.

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Leashes and drugs no remedy for kids' behavior

Staff Opinion

By Ross Brooks
FEATURES EDITOR

Normally, I'm not one to pass judgment on others. However, there are times when I can't help but wonder where some parents acquired their parenting techniques.

As I stood in line at the world's largest indoor circus - some call it Wal-Mart - I was amazed at how mismanaged the store was. Everywhere I turned, blue-shirted employees chatted it up, while seven out of the 30 possible checkout lanes were open. I chose the line that seemed shortest, and scanned the tabloid headlines for a quick laugh. Just as I homed in on an exclusive scoop for the exact date of Armageddon, I heard a woman's voice from behind me say "I told you to hold still!"

I turned around to see a woman with a shopping cart full of groceries, her hand clenched tight around a lime-green leash. On the opposite end of the leash was a child who looked about 7. I know I was staring, because her eyes met mine with a look that made me spin around.

"You just won't hold still," the woman shouted loud enough for everyone to hear. "We are never leaving home without your medicine again."

I paid for my items and headed to my car with a final look at the woman and her lassoed child.

Driving home, I couldn't shake the sound of her voice and the threats of medicine reverberating in my skull.

I'm not a child psychologist or a parent, but one thing that I know to be a universal truth is that children fidget. They run around, get dirty, and get themselves into trouble like only children can do. Children are wild things because they don't know any better. They don't have the experience or conscience to act like adults, and why should they? Soon enough they'll be old and boring, conforming to society's demands and falling into line like the rest of us.

However, this idea that kids are wild and crazy because they are simply kids is something that seems to escape many of today's parents. At the slightest hint that a child has a wild streak, parents are too quick to throw the child in the van and head for the nearest Ritalin pusher.

In part, I think this problem arises from our modern mentality, in which we believe that medicine can solve everything. People everywhere are popping pills for anxiety, depression, mood swings, and now we have added children to the ever-growing list of American drug dependants.

Another reason for this increased use of medication toward child regulation stems from the modern parent's refusal to discipline their children. Instead of taking the time to show them proper behavior out in public and acceptable methods of communicating in the world, parents more often turn to drugs.

Certainly it is easier to drug a child than to listen to their crying after getting punished, especially since drugged people often listen to others with a zombie-like will. But is this really how we want to raise an entire generation of Americans - hooked on drugs before they get to primary school? How can we tell them the other "white pills" out there are bad?

It's time for the parents of America to make a stand against the drug companies that might convince them their children are in need of medication before they can even pronounce the name of their pills - and a stand against lazy parenting in general.

Contact Ross Brooks at discourse@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

Instead of building fences, walk in immigrants' shoes

Student Opinion

By Kay Bissett Guerrero
JUNIOR, COMMUNICATIONS

It's no secret that day after day people from different parts of the world are migrating to the United States in search of the American dream. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, there are 35.2 million Hispanic immigrants living in the Unites States. 12.4 million are illegal immigrants, and approximately 8 million of these illegal aliens are from Mexico.

It's understandable to apply the word "illegal" to wrong actions - but is being hungry illegal? Is trying to provide your family with a better life illegal? Should we outlaw these people's attempts to find decent jobs?

Illegal aliens are just trying to find ways to improve their lives. They don't come to the United States for fun. If we evaluate the situation a little further, it's easy to see the only reason people would leave their native countries is to escape the hopeless conditions in them. Latin-American immigrants are leaving their family members, friends, customs, lifestyles and more to come to a place where most of the population doesn't speak their native languages.

By coming to this country, they are losing most of the elements that identify them. All the sacrifices they make are in favor of achieving their dreams. Every human being deserves respect. It seems the meaning is unclear for many Americans, who are treating immigrants as people who should not be part of their society.

Tom Tancredo, a politician from Colorado who is running for president, expressed in a recent presidential debate in New Hampshire that the United States has had enough immigrants. "Enough is enough," he said. He also suggested halting most legal immigration to the United States. What is ironic about this is that Tancredo, the grandson of Italian immigrants, is the one suggesting such ideas. Would any one of us be here today in the United States if our families hadn't migrated years and years ago?

Anti-immigrant sentiment has been rising every day from politicians and common people alike, making immigrants feel guilty for trying to escape the poverty of their home countries.

A good example is the fence along the Mexican border. This fence cost $49 billion to build. That is a waste of money. If the American government is trying to increase security, why not spend the money in development assistance for Mexico and the remaining Latin-American countries? Investing $49 billion in Central and South America will ensure jobs and eventually raise the quality of life for thousands of people - people who will not think about leaving their countries if they can stay and have a sustainable job.

The government is not being intelligent about the whole situation. Instead of building a 10-foot-tall fence, we should build relationships and international treaties that can help bring assistance to needy people around the world.

Crossing a cultural barrier is one of the most difficult things for a human being to do. Criticizing them is not the best solution. We must understand circumstances first, and then reconsider our opinions. At the end of the road, nobody should judge anyone until you have walked in their shoes and experienced what they are going through.

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Teen beauty queens eschew morals in favor of mascara

Student Opinion

By Fatima Hussein
JUNIOR, ENGLISH

In response to a question in the Miss Teen USA Pageant regarding American citizens' inability to find their own country on a map, Miss North Carolina replied brightly "Some people in our nation don't have maps."

This abhorrent stupidity is a clear indicator of what we value and expect from women: a pretty face and a brain of mush.

The emphasis on beauty is not likely to dwindle anytime in the immediate future. American beauty standards have become an established institution engrained in the hearts and minds of Americans, regardless of race, age, gender or religion.

As our standards of beauty vary through time, our preoccupation with beauty itself has, and will continually have, an important role in every facet of our lives.

Though it is a natural human disposition to value good looks and attractiveness to a certain extent, the beauty standards are emphasized to the point that priorities are ignorantly rearranged to accommodate this ever-growing obsession.

We find in today's society, most often with women, there is a social schizophrenia when addressing the subject of beauty.

On one hand, we are told this exquisiteness is within ourselves, and aesthetic appearance holds no validity in the real world. But these messages are conveyed by women who already fit the universal standard of beauty.

How ironic it is that Miss America teaches the public - particularly little girls - the importance of self-worth and believing in oneself, while her title is obtained by the judgment of physical assets in a pageant no different than a dog show. Adolescent girls are then ridiculed for emulating those whom the public has provided as their role models.

In today's reality, the most intelligent, educated women are shunned in favor of idolizing statuesque models that can barely produce full sentences or coherent thoughts. Only after judging the physical appearance of a woman is her intelligence put into consideration. Who is to blame for these warped values? Parents? Public schools? The media? Or perhaps these are American principles that have evolved in the 21st century?

Regardless of who is to blame, as long as beauty queens and deathly skinny celebrities promote questionable values, there will continue to be an immense confusion among these girls as to what accurately signifies self worth.

Rather than relying on socialites pumped full of silicone and glitter, let us look to today's Eleanor Roosevelts and Elizabeth Cady Stantons, whoever and wherever they might be. It will be then, and only then, that beauty will show through in its true form: within ourselves.

Contact Fatima Hussein at discourse@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE