Staring down the barrel
THE JAMBAR EDITORIAL BOARD
Issue date: 11/3/09 Section: Opinion
First and foremost, congratulations and thanks to the Youngstown State University Police department for their diligent work in finding the student carrying a gun on campus on Monday. Not an easy task with a limited description. Lucky or not, thank you for keeping us all safe.
To the rest of the campus community, let's talk common sense. Second Amendment rights deserve the same respect as any other amendment. Having said as much, guns have no place on a college campus.
Period. End of discussion.
In Thursday's editorial, we suggested that education is the best respect we can give to those who offer their lives defending our nation. Why do most wars begin? Because a select few people are uneducated, uninformed or un-evolved enough to choose the sword - or gun - over intelligent diplomacy or common sense discussion.
We are here at an institute of higher education. Here, we learn to broaden our minds. We learn to understand the world we live in and the people we encounter. We learn practical approaches to problem solving. Carrying a gun is not a practical approach by any educated standard.
Did this student feel threatened?
If so, there are services on campus that nullify the need to address a perceived problem with violence. If only Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold or Seung-Hui Cho had understood that.
You are accountable for your actions and, more importantly, your reactions. Why are you here if not to learn intelligent debate and diplomacy? What purpose do your classes serve if not to inform and educate you beyond your primal nature?
Choose to learn, to evolve, to be a grown-up. Or don't. Either way, choose and leave the rest of us to learn in safety.
Today, YSU will test its new YSU Alert System. Students will receive text messages or e-mails informing them of campus closure for any reason, be it weather or violent emergency. Some might complain about the "standard rates" which may apply to that text message, but consider this … what if YSU Police had not found this individual? How much would that emergency text have been worth to you then?
Safety is not a laughing matter, nor is the social irresponsibility and sense of self-righteous ignorance that runs rampant in our society daily, threatening that safety.
Any means which can be employed to salvage life and security intelligently in this age of technological advancement should be welcomed with open arms.
To the rest of the campus community, let's talk common sense. Second Amendment rights deserve the same respect as any other amendment. Having said as much, guns have no place on a college campus.
Period. End of discussion.
In Thursday's editorial, we suggested that education is the best respect we can give to those who offer their lives defending our nation. Why do most wars begin? Because a select few people are uneducated, uninformed or un-evolved enough to choose the sword - or gun - over intelligent diplomacy or common sense discussion.
We are here at an institute of higher education. Here, we learn to broaden our minds. We learn to understand the world we live in and the people we encounter. We learn practical approaches to problem solving. Carrying a gun is not a practical approach by any educated standard.
Did this student feel threatened?
If so, there are services on campus that nullify the need to address a perceived problem with violence. If only Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold or Seung-Hui Cho had understood that.
You are accountable for your actions and, more importantly, your reactions. Why are you here if not to learn intelligent debate and diplomacy? What purpose do your classes serve if not to inform and educate you beyond your primal nature?
Choose to learn, to evolve, to be a grown-up. Or don't. Either way, choose and leave the rest of us to learn in safety.
Today, YSU will test its new YSU Alert System. Students will receive text messages or e-mails informing them of campus closure for any reason, be it weather or violent emergency. Some might complain about the "standard rates" which may apply to that text message, but consider this … what if YSU Police had not found this individual? How much would that emergency text have been worth to you then?
Safety is not a laughing matter, nor is the social irresponsibility and sense of self-righteous ignorance that runs rampant in our society daily, threatening that safety.
Any means which can be employed to salvage life and security intelligently in this age of technological advancement should be welcomed with open arms.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 22
W Vojak
posted 11/03/09 @ 1:25 PM EST
"Here, we learn to broaden our minds"
Apparently minds "are broaden" as long as the end results are something you approve of. . Otherwise they're just "un-evolved". (Continued…)
Your name
posted 11/03/09 @ 6:59 PM EST
I agree with the other comment. These editorials seem to be getting dumber and dumber. YSU is in FUCKING YOUNGSTOWN! I know it is hard to see through those rose colored glasses, Jambar editorial board, but there are a lot of crazy motherfuckers in Youngstown. (Continued…)
Phil
posted 11/03/09 @ 7:36 PM EST
"Period. End of discussion."
Why? Because you say so? Who died and put you in charge? Way to broaden our minds.
How odd, that you promptly continue the discussion - Oh wait - I see - you're wanting to end the discussion so you can run your mouth without interference. (Continued…)
jack burton
posted 11/03/09 @ 8:57 PM EST
Well, you can read the hysterical rants of so-called journalists who have no clue as to what they write about...
or can read the truth for yourself. (Continued…)
Wendy Weinbaum
posted 11/03/09 @ 9:38 PM EST
What an insipid, STUPID editorial! As a Jewess in the US, I want to remind everyone that America wasn't won with a registered gun! And that criminals on EITHER side of the law are stopped by FIREARMS, not by sweet words! That is why all REAL Americans put our 2nd Amendment FIRST!! -Wendy Weinbaum
Jim in Houston
posted 11/03/09 @ 11:01 PM EST
The editorial board is really blessed. I envy them.
It must be wonderful to have such strong all-encompassing opinions. Opinions that are meant to restrict the freedoms of so many others. (Continued…)
John Bates Thayer
posted 11/04/09 @ 12:18 AM EST
So the Constitution and the Bill Of Rights due not apply on college campuses, 'eh?
Tell it to the English and Journalism Depts.
Herb Martin
posted 11/04/09 @ 1:47 AM EST
"Period. End of discussion."
No, it's not -- it wasn't a discussion the way you tried to have it all your way and the comments make it clear that it would not be the END in any case. (Continued…)
Richard
posted 11/04/09 @ 7:15 AM EST
Wendy Weidenbaum: As a second-generation, native-born American whose forebears came here from the Jewish Pale in Russia, I'd very much appreciate your explaining what the hell you meant by this: ". (Continued…)
Carl from Chicago
posted 11/04/09 @ 9:00 AM EST
I found the thinking upon which this editorial was based to be amateurish and naive. It is as if they don't comprehend the breadth of real-world problem-solving scenarios. (Continued…)
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