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Letters to the editor

MU deserves better political dialogue

I have been disappointed as of late when reading The Miami Student because of the lack of intellectual discussion amongst representatives of the College Democrats and College Republicans. It seems that neither of these two organizations feel the desire or need to act as a unified political force in order to further stimulate intelligent political dialogue amongst the Miami University community. In one article, a representative of the College Democrats referred to recent Conservative Week programs and activities as a "sham."

While this person might not agree with the views and beliefs of the College Republicans, I think it is childish and disrespectful to discard the efforts of the College Republicans to take serious political issues in a more light-hearted regard. In rebuttal, a representative of the College Republicans cited this disagreement by the College Democrats as a result of frustration with not being able to bring in prominent speakers in the past and questioned the morality of those that are a part of the College Democrats. During such a moment of heightened political turmoil, I can see how it would be difficult to find such a speaker that both organizations would find suitable, but I do not find the need for this sort of one-upmanship.

It should be up to each organization to bring to the campus prominent political figures that might encourage a healthy and prosperous debate of political issues and if that is what each organization is aiming to do, there should be little said from the other side. This seemingly constant bickering and mudslinging does very little to bring about constructive political dialogue and only encourages feelings of detestation between representatives of rival organizations. Furthermore, this back and forth squabbling only tarnishes each organization's legitimacy as leaders of the university's political climate. Both organizations should refocus their efforts in the direction of a, God forbid, unified attempt to get students to critically think about the political issues that affect each and every one of the students and faculties reading The Miami Student. Instead, they want to resort to name-calling and backbiting turning many students off to both of the organizations. My bit of advice for the day - grow up!

BRANDON WARDwardbm@muohio.edu

Explanation of ASG funding controversy

I wanted to respond to the comments made in the March 30 opinion piece by Nick D'Amico. While I appreciate his opinion on the matter and even agree with some of it, I would like to clear a few things up. To begin, I am not the president of the fashion club, Denise Kwan is, and I am merely a member with no position at all. Secondly, we offered to withdraw from doing the fashion show because at that point Miami was contractually bound to Monica and rapper L-Marr and those who were properly informed on the matter would be aware of this. The only option was to cut back on the fashion show costs, so to respond to D'Amico, their priorities are in order, not to mention they were willing to cut back on expenses after being awarded funding on several occasions. Thirdly, like any organization, the fashion club requested more than required because there was less chance that they would actually receive full funding. They were as surprised as anyone to be fully funded twice. So I don't believe it is fair to say that their actions were offensive. Nick D'Amico might want to consider the actions of the funding committee as offensive. So I end this letter, not in hostility, but in hope that he will write with more journalistic ethos by seeking out as many sources as possible. As a result, many have misunderstood the fashion club's position.

D'Amico referred to the funding requests as "her demands" but for the record, they were not my demands. They were the requests of the fashion club in which I took no part in requesting. And I am also assuming that the OAR concert has more "educational value" as well, but we fail to address that maybe because the band caters to a larger (white) audience. Thank you for your article and I hope for a response.

TAMIKA NUNLEYnunleyty@muohio.edu

City council laws aim to clean up Oxford

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When I was little my mom always let me watch shows like Sesame Street. The message behind Sesame Street was simple, like clean up your messes, put away your toys when you are finished playing with them and respect others. As a junior at Miami, I like to think that my values that I learned still hold true today, but the Oxford City Council thinks we need a push in the right direction. In their meeting April 3, the Oxford City Council passed three pieces of legislation in hope that they will help to clean up Oxford. They have increased the fines for party trash, now for a first-offense it will cost $250 and will be a fourth degree misdemeanor. A second-offense is $500 and is a third-degree misdemeanor.

Additionally, the city passed an amended outdoor furniture ordinance that now does not allow for the storage of beer pong tables outside. People will still be allowed to play with these tables outside but when they are finished they have to be put away. This is a compromise made on behalf of the city because the original legislation that was proposed did not allow these tables to be outside at anytime.

The last piece of legislation that was passed at the meeting amended the noise ordinance to include yelling and screaming from private property. If it's late and your neighbors are trying to rest, respect their rights. Oxford is a wonderful community and these laws are city council's way of trying to make it even better.

JEN HOUSEASG secretary for off-campus affairshousejr@muohio.edu


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