Seeing past Obama-itis
In the last week, I 've heard countless students complaining about getting called too many times by the Obama campaign. The complaints are not without merit. I was one of the phone bankers, and we knew that people were getting called multiple times, but didn't know why. It was not intentional by the campaign, and it appeared to be a technical problem. Obama volunteers engaged in other canvassing activities that went too far and annoyed students. I understand students' frustrations, and I felt them myself in the final days before the election. But to actually change one's vote based on annoyance at phone calls is utterly irresponsible. We, as citizens, have been granted the power to choose the next leader of the free world. The result of that decision has tremendous consequences not only for each of us personally, but for our fellow citizens and our society. The overall tactics of the campaigns are certainly fair game in making a choice, but a decision based on nothing but one's own minor inconvenience is the result nothing but apathy and entitlement.
The Obama campaign must learn to reign in and properly utilize the excitement of its volunteers. But we Longhorns owe it to ourselves to appreciate the incredible privilege we have been given as members of a democracy. We owe it to ourselves not to throw that privilege away based on purely impulsive and personal concerns.
Ari Schulman English and computer science senior
A more well-substantiated request
Since fall 2003, I have read the Texan on a regular basis - first as a student, now as an alumna. I have often disagreed with some of the opinions espoused on Page 4A, but never enough to write a response.
While Brian Boyko may have been "spewing empty words" in his response to "Taking off the Obama glasses" ("A well-substantiated request," The Firing Line, Mar. 6), I find it appalling that he would ask someone to resign because he does not agree with them.
I read the column in question and did not find it offensive. I may not agree with everything written, but that does not mean it does not have the right to be published.
What is more shocking to me is that he would call upon an individual to censor his or herself, either through not voicing an unpopular opinion or through a resignation. I believe that a newspaper must practice the right to freedom of speech if only to protect freedom of speech for us all.
And I hope this belief holds true if I ever find myself in the minority opinion.
Flannery Bope UT alum
Hocus Caucus
Reading about the "compromised" procedures which occurred in the 148th Precinct caucus deeply concerns me. The article in The Daily Texan on March 5 described people having to wait in line "for more than 40 minutes" and that the people assigned to facilitate the caucus simply passed the sign-in list throughout the gathered crowd and did not check for identification. In comparison, it took my own 274th Precinct took two hours to sign people in legitimately, and the entire caucus procedures came within minutes of the five-hour mark. All those present waited patiently to insure that no inaccuracies occurred. I believe this to be a statement of the commitment to democracy that my precinct chair, Brad Bauder, his assistants and my fellow precinct members hold, and it is essential for the running of our nation that everyone be this diligent in their observance of correct and valid election process. In an age of failing trust in the government, it is paramount that people be able to trust our election system, and this can only occur when we know that the rules have been followed to the letter. The responsibility of insuring a valid election lies in the hands of the citizens and it is our duty to insure that we deliver one.
Will Roman Radio-television-film senior
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