2008 Woodie Awards
Your Reflections
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: Opinions
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To the Lakeland College Community:
I would like to offer enthusiastic support to Justin Lyman for his article "Let all Voices be heard" in the September 23 issue of the Mirror. In such a strident political atmosphere we need to take his excellent advice to heart and remember Voltaire's sage advice, "I disapprove of what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Political posters are another form of expression. Those who put up posters or flyers to announce ANY meeting should remove and dispose of them after said meeting has taken place. It is my feeling that bumper stickers, buttons, and yard signs are fine but I personally would put no such item on the door to my office as that could be misinterpreted as an endorsement by the college. I write political letters on occasion but never use Lakeland College letterhead for the same reason. Posters on common buildings or on bulletin boards, cleared through the proper channels, are to be encouraged and welcomed.
I am not sure that I have ever seen an election so divisive and I am not optimistic that our nation may soon return to a more reasoned discourse. Many years ago, I remember Senator John Stennis debating George McGovern on that conflict in Vietnam.
Two more opposite points of view could hardly be imagined, and yet Senator Stennis opened by complimenting McGovern on his distinguished record as a bomber pilot in World War II and McGovern acknowledged the accomplishments of his opponent Then they vigorously debated the issue at hand. Both sides in the current campaign could profit from this example.
In conclusion be informed, be involved, and by all means vote.
Richard Wixon, Associate Professor of History
I would like to offer enthusiastic support to Justin Lyman for his article "Let all Voices be heard" in the September 23 issue of the Mirror. In such a strident political atmosphere we need to take his excellent advice to heart and remember Voltaire's sage advice, "I disapprove of what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Political posters are another form of expression. Those who put up posters or flyers to announce ANY meeting should remove and dispose of them after said meeting has taken place. It is my feeling that bumper stickers, buttons, and yard signs are fine but I personally would put no such item on the door to my office as that could be misinterpreted as an endorsement by the college. I write political letters on occasion but never use Lakeland College letterhead for the same reason. Posters on common buildings or on bulletin boards, cleared through the proper channels, are to be encouraged and welcomed.
I am not sure that I have ever seen an election so divisive and I am not optimistic that our nation may soon return to a more reasoned discourse. Many years ago, I remember Senator John Stennis debating George McGovern on that conflict in Vietnam.
Two more opposite points of view could hardly be imagined, and yet Senator Stennis opened by complimenting McGovern on his distinguished record as a bomber pilot in World War II and McGovern acknowledged the accomplishments of his opponent Then they vigorously debated the issue at hand. Both sides in the current campaign could profit from this example.
In conclusion be informed, be involved, and by all means vote.
Richard Wixon, Associate Professor of History
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