DISCOURSE
- President Bush prepares to eat his words once again Editorial
- Construction requires continued patience Editorial
- A gay double standard Laurel Wright
- American gangland must end for the nation to prosper Laura Britton
- The right to free speech includes tolerating the intolerant Joey Clements
- Letters to the Editor
President Bush prepares to eat his words once again
Editorial
May 1, 2003: President George Bush announced major combat actions in Iraq have ended, with the war a meager and miniscule 41 days old.
March 23, 2008: Three days after the war's five-year anniversary, the U.S. death toll in Iraq exceeds 4,000 service men and women.
According to the Associated Press' analysis of the figure, 97 percent of
those killed in Iraq died after the president made his announcement of accomplishment.
Bush has repeatedly been forced to eat his premature victory speech, but recent events show that while the president has admitted to his words being hasty, he and the remainder of his staff have yet to learn their lesson.
For the last month White House officials and congressional supporters of the war have been singing praises for last summer's surge of 30,000 troops into the more violent and hazardous areas of Iraq.
And they have a valid argument.
Killings across the board have declined, including sectarian violence, and the only variable significant enough to be responsible for this drop in violence seems to be the troop surge.
But, could it not be equally possible the connection is a mere coincidence, and all those hailing the troop surge
as an effective solution to
uncontrollable violence could soon be eating their words?
Bush, in a speech to comemerate the fifth year of military actions in Iraq, said the troop surge had "opened the door to a major strategic victory in the broader war on terror."
Sunday, March 23, 2008 was one of the most violent days in Iraq since the troop surge in June.
Across Iraq, 47 people lost their lives to insurgent attacks and military action.
While 47 people murdered in a single day stands boldly against most figures over the past eight months, it also pales in comparison to any number of pre-surge days.
In fact, the average death toll in days during 2006 was almost 65 people each day, according to iraqbodycount.org.
And while the death toll from gunfire and sectarian executions has fallen off recently, deaths from car and roadside bombs have done nothing but climb since the 2003 U.S. led invasion and
occupation.
To look at eight months of surge data and conclude the surge has been successful in reducing deaths during those eight months is one thing.
However, to claim it has opened the door to any semblance of sweeping victory is just plain foolish.
At least another four to six months after the surge has ended will be necessary before any real determinations of its effectiveness can begin to get tossed around.
To call the surge a success before it has been completed would be akin to declaring victory a month and a half into a war still raging today.
The lesson here: don't buy fixings to cook a fish before it's caught, and don't tell a nation that victory is near when well over 1/3 of its volunteer army is still hunkered down in the burnt-out buildings and barren deserts of said country.
Construction requires continued patience
Editorial
Students, faculty, staff, visitors: every single person who comes on the UNF campus nowadays passes through some kind of road construction.
Kernan, Beach, JTB and 9A - whether they're from the Beaches, over off Southside or even Silver Springs Apartments on St. Johns - there is no way for anyone to avoid the continuous construction surrounding the university.
However the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and the Florida Department of Transportation are doing what they can to keep drivers and the public informed of what is happening and give them the tools to have a better driving experience.
Timelines, costs, expected completion dates, detours, schedules and schematics - all this is available on the JTA and FDOT Web sites (www.jtaonthemove.com and www.dot.state.fl.us).
There is even an entire Web site dedicated to all the construction on 9A, www.sr9a.info. By allowing such detailed and continually updated information to be readily available to the public, officials are making the sometimes unpleasant realities of construction, detours and lane closures a little easier to handle and adapt to.
Having schematics to look at also makes it easier for drivers to envision what the finished product is going to look like and understand the sometimes seemingly endless and nonsensical detours.
A schedule of detours and new route openings updated every week allows private drivers and businesses alike make the best decision possible when planning their routes to work or deliver
their goods.
The sites also offer aerial pictures of many of the projects, how they used to look, what they look like now and what they will look like when they are finally completed.
The transportation departments have done a commendable job in making necessary information needed to get through these changes in the most stress-free way possible by keeping people informed.
We, as drivers should be patient with the construction and any resulting issues and understand these projects take time and are only underway in an effort to make area roads easier to navigate.
We should also observe the posted speed limits and never forget the people working on these projects.
Progress is being made on all the projects currently surrounding the university and many of them are scheduled to be completed this spring while others, like the 9A/JTB interchange, will continue until the fall of 2009 and drivers will need to keep adjusting to the changes.
But one day the orange cones, barricades, bull dozers and yellow blinking lights will be gone and hopefully the roadways surrounding the campus will be easier, safer and better to drive on and the construction headaches will have all been worth it.
A gay double standard
Staffer Opinion
The primary reason for the foundation of our country was to guarantee individuals the freedom of religion and the separation of church and state, and while these boundaries have been skewed since the beginning, we generally attempt to keep the two entities separate.
However, this is not the case with same-sex marriage. The laws regarding this topic seem decidedly skewed to the right, with the main justification for the non-sanction of gay marriage being that it is unholy.
If there were a just and valid reason to prohibit gay marriage, then I could understand our country's hesitancy toward the subject, but with little evidence - other than it makes certain people uncomfortable - proving that same-sex marriage is harmful, we need to accept and honor other's wishes to maintain equal relationships, with the same opportunities as everyone.
Another huge issue in the gay marriage debate is the effect of having two parents of the same sex and the result it will have on the children. But this should not be a concern since there are so many children in the world with unfit parents or no parents at all. We should welcome those who want to, and are capable of, raising a child that is not their own. Having two parents of the same sex can't be as harmful as having no parents at all.
Barring same-sex couples from the right to marriage excludes them from being eligible for many legal benefits that are associated with marriage, like taxes and inheritance.
It is important for us to have a just and balanced society, and until we allow same-sex marriage, we will not achieve this goal. We need to set aside religious and personal beliefs and look at this situation from a logical and legal point of view.
Allowing gay marriage will add stability to our legal system and reduce the ties between religion and government, which is crucial to having a high-functioning, truly free society.
Contact Laurel Wright at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
American gangland must end for the nation to prosper
Britton Knows Best
A young man just turned 18. He is heavily tattooed on his arms, his legs, even his face.
His head is shaved, his face serious, his features distinct. At his young age, he has already been involved in human trafficking, murder-for-hire and illegal arm sales.
He is a proud member of Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13 - the largest, most dangerous gang in North America - with more than 100,000 members.
Gang violence is not breaking news. It is old, unresolved news. The U. S. has a problem.
An FBI study in 2005 found that there are more than 30,000 gangs with membership around 800,000 across the United States alone.
These numbers signify the need for action. Research from 2001 reports every state experiences youth gang activity. Our nation has been plagued by the worst kind of bullies who are on a crusade to intimidate others and claim their territory.
As they add new members into their organizations with a facade of family and closeness, the numbers are staggering toward an all-time high.
Gang affiliates believe themselves to be untouchable, untraceable and unstoppable. Some might scoff at the idea of even attempting to put an end to the unlawful violence by saying it can't be done.
If we believe this, then they have all the power. We should no longer feed the mentality of gang members in thinking they are above the system.
Actions need to be taken.
Heighten awareness, increase the security in schools and enforce harsher punishments. Law-abiding, tax-paying citizens shouldn't have to live in fear of gang violence any longer.
Contact Laura Britton at discourse@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
The right to free speech includes tolerating the intolerant
Student Opinion
In the last Spinnaker, I read an article about conflicts with free speech on campus and the street preachers who take advantage of that right. I encourage the administration, Student Government and student body to take the only reasonable course of action regarding these extremists.
We must silence them; they must be banned.
These foolish men invade our campus waving their incendiary banners and daring to question our infallible beliefs.
These fundamentalists base their lives on an outdated book.
What person in their right mind would base their lives on what they read in a book, let alone an old book?
We students certainly don't learn from books.
Our beliefs and behaviors are firmly rooted on the foundation of life experience and popular culture.
I know I can shamelessly screw who I want when I want because TV and my friends both say its OK.
These Bible-beating crazies must be silenced because they dare question our tolerant campus.
We affirm everyone at UNF regardless of race, gender, sexual preference and creed.
The loud mouth bigots, racists and sexists can't be tolerated because they are simply too offensive.
On my way to class, I insist on my right not to be offended. "Freedom from offense" is vital to a functional educational environment where new ideas can be introduced and debate can take place.
How can I grow personally and academically if I'm always being offended by thoughts that challenge my own?
I once heard a student tell one of these angry theocrats that she was "offended by his message."
In response, the man asked why she was not offended when her biology professor told her she was a hairless ape evolved from mud.
Lastly, these men are spiritual terrorists. They tell us we are sinners and will go to hell if we don't "trust in Christ."
We all know that all religions are equal and that simply different paths lead up the same mountain.
These narrow-minded hacks actually assert one belief is true and another false.
Intelligent people know that if God exists he rewards all sincere believers equally, from devout Christians to suicide bombers.
I hope we are all wise enough to know that "truth" is whatever we say it is.
In fact, we open-minded, educated people don't bother with vetting "truth claims" like examining the validity or religious texts or moral imperatives.
No, those unprejudiced intellectual investigations are clearly for the closed-minded.
Join with me in my modest proposal and call for our campus leaders to protect our open university environment from those who come with offensive, counter-cultural messages.
In the mean time, students who disagree must continue to object to these madmen by civil means like being verbally abusive, stealing their personnel effects and spitting on them. In this way, they will get our message, "we are too tolerant to tolerate these ideas."
Contact Joey Clements at discourse@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Letters to the Editor
Think before your next vote
Dear Editor,
The Student Government elections loved by some, but hated by the majority, grace UNF in less than a week laced with presidential promises and senatorial solicitation.
This year's shenanigans welcome three party colors to the ring, all battling for one important prize - your vote.
Track records show methods of bribery via Krispy Kreme and Domino's and begging with a sea of campaigners armed with fliers and freebies.
Students of this fine university, I charge you to look beyond party colors, over-embellished letters of endorsement and corridors lined with free food and giveaways.
Instead, let us focus on the important factors when choosing who will represent us for the next academic year.
Do your candidates talk to you and actively seek your feedback on initiatives, or did they impersonally beg you to sign their signature sheet in their desperate fight for eligibility?
Is your presidential ticket both knowledgeable within the walls of Student Government as well as the campus as a whole, taking part in multiple campus activities and organizations?
Most importantly, are their initiatives actually thought out, researched and
feasible?
If you have answered "no" to any of these questions, put down the pizza and realize who you may be potentially swearing into office when you cast your ballot.
I urge you all to take an active part in this year's election by asking questions to all candidates, both presidential and senatorial, and figure out if you're voting for a promising future or a free election T-shirt.
Jacqueline Simard
Junior, Communications
A presidential endorsement
Dear Editor,
As last year's student body president, it is important to me that students receive representation that is principled, faithful and honest.
This is why I am proud to endorse John Barnes and his running mate, Michael Saathoff, as our next student body president and vice president.
These men have distinguished themselves as problem-solvers and men of integrity.
It is not surprising that Barnes has received the support of our last three presidential administrations.
It is evident from my countless interactions with Barnes that he exemplifies the ideal qualities of a leader.
Barnes has distinguished himself as the sitting senate president of SG as well as president of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
He has played a vital role in creating positive and lasting changes within each of these organizations. He is a talented man of principle with more experience than any other candidate.
On top of all of this, Barnes is a gentle-man.
His depth of character is not only a tribute to SG, but also accurately reflects the kind of representation UNF students need today.
He has my strongest possible recommendation.
Justin Damiano
Graduate Student, Political Science