Booty! Delivered Up the Yin-Yang

Just when I thought my fellow students could not surprise me any further, when I realized that academia is an incurable disease afflicting the social development region of our brains (lower left), up comes something as unassuming as a CCLA-funded booty! party to blow me away.

While it is not so surprising that CCLA would fund another hormone-centered soiree or that this one was met with wide student interest, what is surprising about this party is exactly how students responded. [con't]

E-Bigotry and Personal Responsibility

Nothing is easier to take a stand against than ignorance. Well, there are some things (arranged marriage hasn’t held up so well over time), but, in general, criticizing unmitigated stupidity is the sort of thing that uplifts both the critic and the reader. None of us believe ourselves guilty of this ignorance, and none of us are all that hot to defend it, and so it pretty much takes care of itself. We’re all winners, because we’re not idiots, and we’re all of the same mind on this crucial point: those idiots sure are idiots. Neat. [con't]

Gomes’ Opinion Was Uninformed

Editor:

As for the elements (Politics, the Internet, Big Business, and the Media) that are allegedly "destroying our innocence," I say to the writer: learn to think for yourself. It is one thing to perceive such elements of American society as influential, but to expose such an underdeveloped opinion to scrutiny was juvenile, specifically because the writer’s opinion lacked serious insight. We see this in the numerous use of four letter expletives. [con't]

Gomes’ Profanity Was Profane

Editor:

I am writing in response to Greg Gomes’ opinion piece "Rampant American Cynicism Justified by the Times."

I found Mr. Gomes’ use of the word "fuck" to be pointless and degrading to TSL. While I don’t deny anyone’s first amendment right to use such language, including the phrase "that shit was some shitty shit," I ask Mr. Gomes and the Opinions Editors: Do you think this will gain respect for your views? [con't]

Fellow Activist Apologizes, Sort of

Editor:

As an activist myself, I have to issue this pseudo-apology. After reading your letter, Sarah, I have confusing sentiments. On the one hand, my long-held impatience with the apathy on the Claremont campuses affects my opinion, but on the other hand I am reminded that you and your friend are not "the enemy." [con't]

Activists’ Actions Are Explained

Editor:

Sarah Bird wrote that she did not sign the letter requesting an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of Irvin Landrum Jr., although she agreed with it in its entirety, because she felt the student collecting signatures spoke to her friend at the lunch table in an inappropriate manner. [con't]

Ekman Lauded for Creativity, Wit

Editor:

This is my tribute to Ekman. He is funny. He makes me laugh. Why, just today I saw a comic of his that reminded me of "Prince Valiant", except it was funny. But I will keep this short, else it is used against me by the unsparing pen of Ekman. It is just that I think that Bread And Circuses is quite funny. Hilarious really. [con't]

Frats Endorse Access to Alcohol Fund

Editor:

Self-selecting organizations play a key role in the social life of Pomona College, although right now, both the extent and the legitimacy of that role have been called into question. Since losing the ability to charge for alcohol at parties, a student alcohol fund was set up with the intent of subsidizing organizations that used to be able to charge for public events. Access to the fund excludes Self-Selecting Closed Membership Organizations (SSCMOs). [con't]

Reader Upset At TSL’s Debriefing

Editor:

The most recent issue of The Student Life has disappointed me with its failure to continue its proud tradition of journalistic excellence. It no longer contains the important and relevant details with which it served the student community, and I am writing in hopes that this tragic situation will be soon ended. [con't]

Gaines to Stanley: ‘You’re Out of Order’

Editor:

During the February 4 faculty meeting, Professor Richard Worthington (Chair, Executive Committee of the Faculty) gave a report on the February 1 Faculty Forum, concerning the Executive Committee’s proposed changes in the faculty grievance procedure, as well as a counterproposal that I developed with the assistance of the national office of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). Prof. Worthington mentioned a flow chart by Professor Thomas Moore (President, Pomona College AAUP Chapter) comparing the proposals. [con't]

Yes on 22 Doesn’t Mean No on Gays

Editor:

I have started to see fliers, signs, and events around campus concerning Proposition 22, which would add the line "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California" to our law. From what I have observed, there is a pervasive feeling at Pomona that any self-respecting, open-minded, liberal arts college student should vote against the proposition.

I understand that there are many people out there who may have hateful feelings for homosexuals and would vote for this proposition solely because of their hate or ignorance. But that is not the universal case. I don’t claim to know what the universal case is, but I do know my situation and how I feel on the matter. [con't]

Accountability is Necessary

Editor:

A letter in last week’s TSL asserted that TSL should not have to answer to the ASPC Senate. While an objective source is needed to report on the Senate, TSL does not have to be this entity. A weekly newsletter or email by an independent source, or video taping the Senate’s weekly meetings, would serve the end of monitoring the ASPC (because surely they would mobilize a totalitarian regime if left to act behind closed doors). [con't]