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State Rep. Bill Caul, R-Mount Pleasant speaks with Midland freshman Dennis Lennox II during a fund-raiser for the College Republicans Friday night in the Student Activity Center bowling alley.
The Dec. 12 “College Republicans in crisis?” article, should have read Midland freshman and group member Dennis Lennox II, not Dennis Lennox III as originally printed. In the “What do you know?” quiz from Monday’s Lifeline, it should have said that Apple has sold 42 million iPods since the company first introduced the mp3 players. Central Michigan Life has a long-standing commitment to fair and accurate reporting. It is our policy to correct factual errors. If there is incorrect information published, please call (989)774-5433 or e-mail news@cm-life.com.
For a non-election year, the College Republicans have seen their fair share of controversy and heated discussion. Midland freshman and group member Dennis Lennox III said there has been problems within the organization, and has used blog postings to question, among other things, the legitimacy of the group’s constitution. “I think there’s some issues between new and old members,” Lennox said. “There’s a general misunderstanding of what several members are trying to accomplish.” Lennox said one issue he has taken a problem with this semester was whether or not the constitution the group has on file with the university is valid. Some members of the group said that issue was just a misunderstanding. “Two years ago, we amended our constitution,” said Kara Lambert, College Republicans president. “The problem is the chair at the time didn’t submit it to Student Life.” Lambert, an Illinois junior, said the amended constitution, which had already been ratified, was formally submitted to Student Life after it was discovered they did not have it on file and was not voted on again. “It was an issue of whether the constitution we had on file with the university was the real constitution,” Lennox said. In a November blog posting at www.cmurepublicans.blogspot.com, Lennox said there’s strife within the group and questioned Lambert’s leadership. “I certainly understand the importance of blogs in politics, but I don’t believe it is the best forum to launch attacks on other college Republicans,” said group member and Mount Pleasant sophomore Matt Golden. Because it was posted shortly after Lambert had a death in her family, the posting led to a heated discussion at the group’s Nov. 30 meeting. “Everyone is entitled to have complaints, but to personally and publicly attack someone for things beyond their control right after you find out their grandma passed away is completely inappropriate,” Golden said. “Some may argue that politics is dirty, but there are things you just don’t do.” Lennox said the issues facing the group are common with any student organization on a college campus. “Particularly at the college level, when sometimes meetings are infrequent and there’s some older people and younger people (within an organization), there’s not always the best lines of communication,” he said. Golden said Lennox’s concerns with the group’s leadership should have been an internal matter to begin with. “It’s a shame (Lennox) couldn’t voice his concerns with me,” said Lambert, concerning the blog posting. “I thought it was a bit unclassy, but I’m not going to take it personally.”
Rejuvenating the automotive industry, marijuana and gay marriage are all issues on the forefront of Sen. Alan Cropsey’s agenda. Cropsey, R-DeWitt, spoke to a group of about 25 students and Mount Pleasant residents Wednesday night after being invited by the College Republicans. Cropsey spoke on a number of topics, such as teaching intelligent design in the classroom and higher education. He also spoke about what is needed to reform the automotive industry. “About 20 percent of the manufacturing jobs that have been lost over the last three years in this nation have come from Michigan,” he said. “We are looking at a fundamental restructuring for the economics of the state of Michigan.” Michigan has a lot to do to become a more competitive state, Cropsey said. He also commented on what he said are the shortcomings of Gov. Jennifer Granholm. “We’re working on this jobs thing in the legislature and I hope it works out,” Cropsey said. “But do you know what would be a better message to send to the business community? To get rid of the current governor and replace her with someone who knows business.” After speaking for about an hour, Cropsey fielded questions from the audience. Midland freshman Dennis Lennox II asked Cropsey if he supported giving rights to homosexual couples, to which Cropsey replied he was the one who introduced the 2004 constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman. Touching on the sensitive topic of Texas Congressman Tom Delay – who is currently involved in a criminal investigation – was Political Science Professor Edward Clayton. “The Center for Responsive Politics shows that every Republican in the House in Michigan has taken money from Tom Delay,” Clayton said. “Do you think members of the Michigan delegation should return the contributions they have received?” As long as the contributions were made legally, Cropsey said there is no reason to return the money. On the topic of marijuana, Cropsey expressed his dismay at the prospect of it becoming a ballot issue. “Ten years ago I would have said (legislators would) oppose it and oppose it overwhelmingly,” he said. “I have been working a lot with different judges on it, and they are scared to death of marijuana getting on the ballot because marijuana really is a gateway drug.” About 80 percent of all arrests made in the U.S. today are drug or alcohol related, Cropsey said. The senator also took questions related to recent tuition increases at universities across the state, such as CMU’s 19 percent hike for freshman over the summer. “(Universities) have to come up with the funding one way or another to keep the faculty,” he said. “And it won’t come from the state, so it has to come from tuition.” Not all in the audience were Cropsey supporters. “I thought (the speech) was a skillful blend of half-truths and distortions,” Clayton said. Cropsey represents Clinton, Ionia, Isabella and Montcalm counties. “Students don’t pay attention to local politics,” said Illinois junior Kara Lambert, College Republicans chairperson. “People need to realize that the big picture (of politics) is actually composed of a bunch of smaller, more local pictures.”
The university's policy that regulates demonstrations and protests is leaving would-be protesters and university officials equally confused.
A student is considering legal action against Central Michigan University for an alleged violation of his First Amendment rights prior to Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s brief visit to campus Oct. 11. Midland freshman Dennis Lennox II, along with five other protesters, were gathered outside the IET building an hour before Granholm arrived. Lennox said he entered the building 15 minutes before the Democratic governor arrived with leaflets in his pocket and a sign that read, “Jennifer: Will you pay my school bill?” Pat Lichtman, director of media services, “came up to me and prohibited me to be in the building,” Lennox said. “I told her that I had a constitutional right to be here.” According to university policies, demonstrating may not take place within 25 feet of any window of any classroom or office, within 25 feet of any door of any classroom building or office building, or within 40 feet of any window of any residence hall or university apartment. Lennox said he is pursuing legal consultation to see if he should sue CMU in federal court for violated his right to freedom of assembly. “I cannot comment on legal actions,” he said. Lennox said he was not handing the leaflets out in the building. Lichtman said Tuesday that she told Lennox he would not be allowed to protest within the building. “I told him he was free to be outside,” Lichtman said. “I told him that he had every right because of the First Amendment.” Lennox said the CMU Police Department was called to stop the protest. Det. Sgt. Jeff Pickler approached Lennox, who claims the officer threatened him with consequences. “He told my protesters that I would be arrested if I failed to comply,” Lennox said. Pickler would not comment regarding the incident. Lennox said two officers stood by him throughout the panel discussion during Granholm’s appearance. “I was intimidated and could not exercise my democratic right to speak,” he said. CMU Police Chief Stan Dinius said he was not aware of Lennox nor his alleged intimidation. “I am not familiar with who was standing by him,” he said. “There were police officers in the building and in the area.” Dinius said there was only one police officer in the panel discussion and the other officer was a state trooper specifically with Granholm. He said he knew some police officers approached the protesters, but was not familiar with what was said. “What they said, I don’t know,” Dinius said. “We were there for the safety and security of everyone as well as the governor.” Lennox sent a letter to University President Michael Rao expressing his concerns. He said he was disappointed when a response came from Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe instead. “I told him I was not willing to meet with the dean, only with the president,” he said. Similar concerns over protesting occurred two weeks ago when Missionaries to the Preborn – an anti-abortion group – blocked traffic and handed out pamphlets in university buildings. It was escorted off campus by police.
Granholm plan not as good as Republican alternative Michigan citizens deserve an alternative to Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s tax shift and borrow plans. Republicans in the state House of Representatives have committed themselves to assisting Michigan employers and in late August passed a $1 billion relief plan. Organizations like the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Businesses and Small Business Association of Michigan have backed the measure. Governor, wake up! We have the worst unemployment rate in the country! Your plan shifts hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes from one sector of the economy to another. Estimates have it raising taxes of companies like Spartan Stores of Grand Rapids some 50 percent! Governor, please, drop the politicking and help our economy. Dennis Lennox IIMidland freshman Miers not qualified for Supreme Court President Bush has not learned from his past mistakes in another stunning example of cronyism with the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court on Monday. As we saw with former FEMA director Michael Brown, the President does not always pick the most qualified person for appointed positions. Mr. Bush has said that Miers, a long-time personal friend of his, is the most qualified person to take over for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; yet, she has never served as a judge before, nor considered significant constitutional issues. Very little is known about Miers’ judicial philosophy. During her upcoming confirmation hearings senators must demand answers to how she stands on many important issues, including, among others, abortion, the right to privacy and the separation of church and state. The American people have the right to know where Miers stands before giving her a lifetime appointment to the court. Through the presentation of hard facts, we must see that she is indeed qualified for the position and that she is not just another crony for the President being rewarded for her loyalty to his cause. Mike HoraceHighland freshman Protesters don’t change minds, just turn stomachs People who hold up signs of aborted fetuses are jerks; that’s right, I said it: J-E-R-K-S. I wonder often what is going on in this fine land of ours that I can’t walk down the street without seeing a towering image of an aborted fetus looming above my head while some person is shouting at me about how “terrorists” kill 20 million babies a year. It really boggles my mind that these people actually expect this to help their cause - in all reality, it just makes them and their supporters seem like mean old so-and-so’s. I am personally pro-choice, I’m not going to lie, but I don’t by any means hate pro-lifers. I believe that anyone in the world has the right to say what they want; I don’t think these people should be censored or stopped in any way. I just really wish people would have the common decency not to do things like this. Abortion protesters: I know you guys are passionate, I know you care deeply about your cause, but all you are doing is making a lot of people unhappy; and really, is your personal satisfaction over getting attention more important than making others unhappy, physically ill and angered at you? If so, I think you are far, far more selfish than a poor, confused teenage girl with a problem, who is just trying to find a solution. I guess I’m not so much angry as I am disappointed. No, I’m actually pretty angry, too. Daniel Joseph McDuffMount Pleasant freshman
Novitski’s clear liberal agenda went unreported What happened to full disclosure in journalism? Some of your reporters at Central Michigan Life seem to have a problem with properly identifying interviewees and their agenda in stories. Associate Biology Professor Charles Novitski seems to be a favorite go-to man for anti-conservative and anti-President Bush comments. The latest article featuring the highly controversial faculty member appeared Wednesday and discussed a documentary film — I use that that term loosely — on the Fox News Channel. Reporter Angela Lodewyk failed to mention that the Democracy Film Series is a pro-liberal movement sponsored and administrated by the university’s College Democrats chapter, which lists Mr. Novitski as a faculty advisor. Don’t you think that’s worth mentioning? And finally, why not get a response from FNC? It can’t be hard, as I found several after only a quick Google search. Dennis Lennox IIMidland freshman Sport of football not cause of off-field violence In response to the guest article by Sociology professor Robert Newby, I do respect his opinion that the players’ “silence” is due to their commitment to teammates. However, blaming the skills learned in the competition of football as the reason for DeMarcus Graham’s death? “Football players at the Division I level have internalized the violence to the point that it is routine,” Newby wrote in a guest column Wednesday. Newby seems to say that all Division I football players here or anywhere are a bunch of thugs who are out to beat some ass, while I know that off the field they are some of the friendliest students you’ll meet here. I’d just hate to be lined up across from them on Saturdays. Newby continues by stating, “If one plays football, there must be a commitment to doing violence to others. It is taught. It is expected. It is fundamental to the culture.” Newby seems to think that a football player has an uncontrollable passion for violence all the time, even while attending class. When I played high school football I never felt the notion to beat somebody off the field, I saved any aggression for Friday nights. As a CMU professor I would hope that Newby understands that human beings have the ability to distinguish between what is appropriate behavior. During practice or a game a football player can partake in legalized violence and it is only for the sake of competing. However being a football player does not justify, nor cause, violence off the field. Nick BlaskowskiCheboygan sophomore
New Orleans coverage bias, incomplete and inaccurate I couldn’t believe my eyes when I picked up Monday’s edition of Central Michigan Life. As a new student at the university, I have heard many negatives about fair-and-balanced reporting in your newspaper. Many even go so far as to say that you have an anti-Republican and anti-President George W. Bush agenda. I am still undecided on that, but I do have serious questions as to your reporting on certain stories, particularly Monday’s article entitled, “Too Little too late?” Your reporter elected to quote Charles Novitski, an extremely controversial professor who authored a recent letter to the editor that bordered on libel. Mr. Novitski’s recent comment should never have been published. What authority does he have to speak on the issue? Why not interview a political science professor to have your readers better understand the complicated process in responding to natural disasters and why some wrongly feel the president failed to react properly? Nobody mentioned that both the mayor of New Orleans and the governor of the state of Louisiana declined federalization of the response in the aftermath. There were mistakes made by all branches of local, state and federal government, but it is important to point out that the response by the feds was hindered by unwilling Louisiana and New Orleans officials. Dennis Lennox IIMidland freshman Preacher’s views not a reflection on all Christians I am writing to respond to the column in Friday’s paper by “Preacher” Rick Warzywak. I would like to begin by stating my hope that no one considers this man the representative for the Christian faith on campus. Viewing the recent natural disasters as the will of God is now obsolete; the focus now, from a Christian and any other religious perspective, is: How can we help these people? To respond to another of his points, I do not believe the Bible is word-for-word historically accurate. You are not more or less of a person for looking at your holy book from your own perspective. The Christianity preached by Jesus was based on love and acceptance; he cast no one out who differed from him. I do not agree with him and I know not a Christian who does. This is not Christianity, what he preaches. No man who refers to Wiccans as the “devil’s people,” Buddhists as “liars” and Jews as “thieves” can call himself a follower of Christ. I really hope he grows up and learns to be more accepting of other people and that his style of preaching turns people off to Christianity instead of inviting them in. Hillary WebbDeWitt junior
Chippewa River’s beauty is much better than boozing
Rants and raves out of an idiot's mouth this Wednesday morning:
