Editorial
InDucktrination
Perhaps it's a question of continuity. On one hand, our first editorial of the year is traditionally very upbeat and informative, with no real opinions or criticisms which could frighten a first time reader. On the other hand, every other editorial is very opinionated and in many ways quite frightening to a first time reader. In order to be true to ourselves and our veteran readers, while still assisting the incoming batch of freshman, here is some timely, yet classic Commentator advice.The University is a place of great political and philosophic turmoil. People here are judged, and either accepted or outcast depending upon which views they voice--if they dare speak at all. While there is nothing too wrong with standing on sidelines, there is nothing right about it either. We encourage everyone to at least have an opinion, preferably one that they thought of themselves. In order to do that, however, students must at least learn of the issues in question.
Here in Biosphere Eugene, much like in the real world, the key to understanding your environment is through the media. The University's student media is extremely broad in spectrum, if not in variety. There are two humor based magazines, The Voice and X Magazine, for you to chuckle with, and a communist paper, The Insurgent, for you laugh at. The heart of our student media is the daily paper, the Emerald, while the brain is the Oregon Commentator.
Instead of advocating that you join some of the silly student groups on campus in order to get involved, we recommend that all incoming students just pay attention to campus media. Be warned, however, that the underlying trends you will find are disturbing, and worse yet, they extend to the classroom. The problem centers on what is known as Political Correctness--a movement founded by liberals, i.e. freedom fighters, which now dictates exactly what one is allowed to say or think. If you are not "sensitive" in class, or in your assignments, you find your grades begin to drop.
Remember that the University is a lot like real life, though exaggerated in some aspects. There are those who just skate by, and there are those who achieve great things. There are those who follow the pack, and those who think for themselves. You have to be one or the other, so you might as well start practicing now.
Don't go through life as a bystander. Decide what you believe and follow it. Admittedly, if you think differently than us, you are wrong, but at least you chose a side. By simply reading the Commentator, you will be hated by many people on campus. If you don't care about that, and furthermore if you believe in our Mission Statement, feel free to drop by room 205 in the EMU and join our merry band of hell-raisers.