Category: Perspectives

As I sit before my computer and write my “Staffer Speaks” column, many thoughts are going through my head. I could write about George Bush and his faults as President, but I won’t.

I could write about the farce that we know as the California recall and the race for Governor.

Intellectual property

To the Editor:

It was with some dismay that I read the 29 SEP 03 Question of the Week responses. I am shocked that students at USM would be so cavalier about intellectual property. Taking someone else’s music, without permission, is no different than going into a store and taking merchandise off of the shelf or entering another’s home and taking the stereo.

If the economy weren’t in such poor shape right now (no matter how many times Bush’s cabinet tells you that it isn’t) I’d bet good money that there are significantly more Americans who can name the first and second placers from the first two seasons of “American Idol” than could name that same number (two, for those not paying attention) of politicians declaring their candidacy for president in next year’s election.

“Lounge lights are unnecessary 24/7. Lights and televisions are left on all day in the dorms. Minimizing these usages would reduce power consumption.”

“Keep appliances off when you’re not using them and turn off computers at night. Shut off bathroom lights when no on is in there.

Have you ever been an exchange student before? No? Well, you’ve missed a lot! Being an exchange student was and still is the most beautiful aspect of my life. I’m lucky enough to experience my second year of exchange in the United States of America.

My name is Nino Kemoklidze and I’m an international student from Georgia.

Last week I learned a difficult lesson. Actually in the past few weeks I’ve learned many lessons, most of them somewhat painful and embarrassing. The most prominent however, is one that involved others’ lives, reputations and relationships.

I ran an editorial chastising the president for reprimanding a student who disagreed with the logo change.

By the end of the l9th century, the burning of coal and oil had become the source of energy that would create our modern industrial society. But towards the end of the 20th century there were increasing concerns about the soot, carbon dioxide and other negative effects produced by these fossil fuels.

POLICE JURISDICTION

To the Editor:

USM Police “did not have the authority to do police work outside of Portland Hall.”

I find this amazing. If someone was murdered outside on public property ANYONE CAN MAKE A CITIZENS ARREST.

I feel USM police are tragically failing us.

Dana Legel

Age: 19

Major: Social Work

Hometown: Vassalboro, Me

What brought you to the area?

School and being near a bigger city than Augusta.

Why did you choose USM?

The location and the cost.

What would you do to make life better for the USM student?

Parking is a big problem.

Ever since I befriended an Irish girl named Mara, I have wanted to see Ireland. “My family is from Galway,” she would tell me. “It is such a beautiful city. The countryside is amazing, the people are so nice, you have to go there.” Her praise of the country was backed by others’ accounts of Ireland’s beauty and charm.

In the months following September 11, comedian Bill Maher’s show “Politically Incorrect” was suddenly cancelled. Later, Aaron McGruder’s acclaimed comic strip, “The Boondocks”, where the protagonist badmouths conservatives, was quietly removed from many newspapers.

Name: Rachel Rand

Year: Sophomore

Major: Undecided

Answer: I feel cameras at school would be an expensive solution to a relatively small problem. Besides, anyone serious about committing a crime would probably break or dismantle the camera anyway.

In our first issue this year the Free Press wrote a story about the new logo, which included negative comments from an employee of the president’s office. Exercising her first amendments rights, this person, also a student, commented on her disapproval of the new logo.

The names used here are real names of real people. The story is only slightly embellished as seemed useful to the writer. Global warming is real.

The dorm room was a double. Even before Dana plugged in her “Energy Star” lap top and high-tech, low-wattage reading light, the room was furnished with 500 watts of incandescent lights and a small fridge.

At what point did I become a maggot?

The transformation first came to my attention after a series of obscure phone calls last January. I was working as copy editor of The Free Press. In the middle of the night, I received six frenetic voicemails asking, what does it feel like to be a maggot.

Bush Bashing already

Dear Editor,

Is this entire year going to be nothing but Bush Bashing? Let’s look at a few things.

The Patriot Act. A nice law that keeps criminals and terrorists from carrying out acts that could harm the civilian population.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, President Bush proclaimed Sept. 11 Patriot’s Day in commemoration of those who died. He vowed they wouldn’t be forgotten and he asked Americans to “remember and honor those who perished.” He spoke these words just one week prior to the first anniversary of the tragedy.

Name: Rachel Rand

Year: Sophomore

Major: Undecided

Answer: I feel cameras at school would be an expensive solution to a relatively small problem. Besides, anyone serious about committing a crime would probably break or dismantle the camera anyway.