Monitoring profs would harm learning experience
We, the members of Miami Students for the United States of America (MSUSA), strongly support the attempts made by Miami Students for Israel (MSI) toward obtaining funding to record their professors in class. In fact, we believe there are a plethora of teachers who need to be monitored in such a fashion. We are outraged by the abuse of free speech when professors ridicule the righteous actions not only of Israel, but also those of the United States of America.
In order to more clearly analyze our world, we, as students, do not need an education with foundations based in understanding decrepit theories easily manipulated into tenets for destruction of our values. Rather than educate ourselves with contradicting viewpoints we should focus on the great military prowess Israel displayed during the most recent Gaza incursion. This deserves praise, not contempt. This is also in line with negative comments made by professors concerning America's Operation Iraqi Freedom. The people of Iraq now enjoy a country injected with the liberating ideals of democracy and capitalism. What fault is there to find with that?
MSUSA will therefore use money collected from dues and wealthy donators to further the American cause. The cause initiated by American presidents who are willing to forfeit their citizens' most basic and fundamental rights in order to prevent blood on American soil. We as Americans have no need for open exchanges that increase understanding or teach us about others' beliefs. We should not criticize the behaviors of other nations but rather recognize their accomplishments. We will pledge ourselves to not only buying but also installing recording devices in all classrooms accompanied by large signs that indicate, "Your speech is being monitored."
If you haven't caught on yet, the nature of this letter is sarcastic. We believe the designs of MSI are out of line. We fully understand the existence of racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, anti-Islam, etc. These are horrible sentiments that plague our world. The leaders of MSI should recognize the distinction between criticizing a state and criticizing Judaism. We as young adults on a college campus need to realize people have different opinions. We need to refrain from faulting others for their opinions and use these views to challenge our own ideals in order to better understand the world around us.
Having tape recorders in classrooms will not only prevent professors from expressing their viewpoints, but students as well. We must be able to openly criticize the actions of all nations in order to properly handle issues not only from the past, but of today and those that will challenge us in the future. Students from all over the world come to study here, in the United States of America, due not only to the quality of our education but our distinct right to openly evaluate international affairs, domestic affairs and even personal issues. If we cannot remove ourselves from the emotionality of a subject, we lose our ability to be rational. Bias creeps into our thoughts, into our actions, and we if we let it, it grabs hold of our being. Although our laws cannot safeguard us against bias, they are in place to ensure our bias does not unduly affect the American right to attain knowledge.
Sophia Boxoldboxoldsm@muohio.eduAshley Leonardleonarae@muohio.edu
Miami should offer more healthy late-night food
In his recent book The Omnivore's Dilemma, UC Berkeley professor and journalist Michael Pollan explored a simple question we ask ourselves everyday: "What should we have for dinner?" As a college student trying to become more health conscious, I find this question increasingly difficult to answer. On the Oxford campus, food is abundant and students have the luxury of choice, yet dining
options are surprisingly limited. For example, after 7 p.m., the only option for an evening meal is Haines Food Court in Shriver, reducing food choices to a greasy calzone or cheeseburger. Busy students who cannot eat before 7 p.m. every night are out of luck when it comes to having choices for dinner, a disappointing realization given the large number of undergraduates living on campus. Pasta and wraps are perhaps better alternatives, but even they lose their appeal over time. Likewise, one may visit the salad and fruit bars, but these are merely supplements to meals low in nutritional value. Most importantly, issues surrounding food at Miami University are situated in the larger American context. In general, American society has become far too complacent about the poor quality of its food. The causal relationship between the consumption of oily, fried foods and the onset of serious health problems remains an elusive concept. We use gratuitous amounts of sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavorings, chemicals and fat in order to enhance taste without considering long-term health consequences like obesity, Type II Diabetes and heart disease. Of course, eating healthy is ultimately a decision that rests with the individual, but when one is surrounded by a food culture promoting unhealthiness, making the right choices is often difficult.
Harrison Kingkingjh@muohio.edu
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