2008 Woodie Awards
Letters to the editor
Issue date: 2/26/08 Section: Editorials
Reports ignore crucial role of MUTV and WMUB
Reading your story about the Ohio Primary Forums (Feb. 22, "Campus organizations hold Ohio primary forums") conducted last Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, I was very disappointed to see no mention of WMUB and Miami University TV-without which these two events could not have happened.
Although the story mentions that the forums were in Williams Hall, it fails to mention that they were: 1) In the MUTV studio; and 2) done in the context of a radio/TV simulcast. Your story fails to mention that this was more than a meeting in a campus building. It was first and primarily a radio show that was simulcast on cable and broadcast TV.
The video of the forums will be seen numerous times on MUTV channel 15 through the March 4 primary. The forums will also be broadcast to thousands of potential viewers on ThinkTV channel 14 Sunday afternoon Feb. 24 starting at 1:00 p.m.
WMUB and MUTV produced the forums in collaboration with the MU College Republicans (Tuesday) and College Democrats (Wednesday.) Other co-sponsors were the Miami University Office of Institutional Relations, the League of Women Voters of Oxford and ThinkTV 14. WMUB News Director Gary Scott moderated the forums. Students from the College Republicans and Democrats served as panelists, posing questions to the candidates.
John Hingsbergen
WMUB Program Director
hingsbje@muohio.edu
Obama-mania fails to live up to its hype, support
I read with great interest the article in last Friday's The Miami Student that recounted the visit of renowned thespians Kal Penn and Nick Cannon on behalf of Senator Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) campaign for the Democratic nomination. It is clear that these are two serious individuals with many substantive things to inject into the political discourse, such as Cannon's encouragement to Obama's supporters to "shake the haters off" when they are questioned about the senator's experience. Shaking off haters is certainly an easy way to respond to critical inquiry about one's candidate, but not necessarily the most helpful in the grand scheme of political discourse. I do not mean to become fixated upon one quote from the whole event, but it seems that such disregard for substantive argument is endemic of Obama's campaign, or at least of his campaign's supporters.
For all of Obama's (and his supporters') rhetoric about hope, change and bridging the nation's political divide, what evidence has been presented to show that he has the goods to deliver such broad reform once in the White House? Certainly, slogans and buzzwords are helpful when selling ideas, but at the end of the day more is needed to make the tough decisions our nation's highest office requires. In our increasingly complicated world, America needs someone who has not only talked about change and bipartisanship, but someone who has demonstrated the courage and political will to accomplish these lofty goals.
Who in this race has those character traits and experiences? Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.). In his time in the Senate, he has repeatedly reached across the aisle in order to better serve the people of these United States, risking his political future to do so. He has taken a strong stance against global warming, risking his political future to do so. He has spoken out against Washington D.C.'s opaque and corrupt earmarking culture, risking his political future to do so. He successfully advocated for change in the President George W. Bush administration's floundering Iraq peace building strategy, risking his political future to do so. Now, ask yourself, when has Senator Obama, the Senate's most liberal member in 2007, gone out on a limb in service of something other than his own political future and the greater goals of the Democratic Party?
This campus has been monopolized by Obama-mania over the last several weeks, and it has been easy for Obama's supporters to control that debate. Their monopoly is over.
Thaddeus M. Boggs
Vice Chairman
Miami University
College Republicans
boggstm@muohio.edu
Current ASG president endorses Buholzer
With all the banners plastered around campus, and all the facebook.com invitations to groups it may be hard to discern between the candidates for Thursday's student body elections. However, it is clear to me that Brendan Buholzer is the best candidate for Student Body President. I think both candidates are fit to succeed, but Buholzer has the experience, knowledge, and the heart to accomplish the issues he has pledged.
As student body president, I know first-hand the qualities and commitment necessary to excel as the leader of a 500-person organization and 15,000 students. Having worked with both candidates, I am confident endorsing Buholzer and his honest platform. Buholzer is a tested leader with experience as the president of the Residence Hall Association-one of the largest branches of student government. I worked with him as a colleague over the past two years and have always recognized his leadership as an advocate for students' concerns including student organization funding, our student fees and parking.
Buholzer is a genuine leader that is humble, but more importantly, trustworthy. When Buholzer speaks, his words are real and based on years of experience, careful thought and consideration and much foresight. For Buholzer, the campaign trail has been arduous, but not without reason. If Buholzer did not honestly care about student concerns and the student voice, I would not be writing this letter today.
Buholzer can effectively communicate: As treasurer, he speaks everyday to student organizations to help them through the funding process. Buholzer can lead: As Residence Hall Association President, Buholzer successfully led this branch of the Associated Student Government to new heights. Buholzer can effect change: As a member of the Associated Student Government cabinet, Buholzer helped overhaul the funding process, and Buholzer has my vote on Thursday, because I believe he is the best candidate.
Jens Sutmöller
Student Body President
sutmolj@muohio.edu
Reading your story about the Ohio Primary Forums (Feb. 22, "Campus organizations hold Ohio primary forums") conducted last Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, I was very disappointed to see no mention of WMUB and Miami University TV-without which these two events could not have happened.
Although the story mentions that the forums were in Williams Hall, it fails to mention that they were: 1) In the MUTV studio; and 2) done in the context of a radio/TV simulcast. Your story fails to mention that this was more than a meeting in a campus building. It was first and primarily a radio show that was simulcast on cable and broadcast TV.
The video of the forums will be seen numerous times on MUTV channel 15 through the March 4 primary. The forums will also be broadcast to thousands of potential viewers on ThinkTV channel 14 Sunday afternoon Feb. 24 starting at 1:00 p.m.
WMUB and MUTV produced the forums in collaboration with the MU College Republicans (Tuesday) and College Democrats (Wednesday.) Other co-sponsors were the Miami University Office of Institutional Relations, the League of Women Voters of Oxford and ThinkTV 14. WMUB News Director Gary Scott moderated the forums. Students from the College Republicans and Democrats served as panelists, posing questions to the candidates.
John Hingsbergen
WMUB Program Director
hingsbje@muohio.edu
Obama-mania fails to live up to its hype, support
I read with great interest the article in last Friday's The Miami Student that recounted the visit of renowned thespians Kal Penn and Nick Cannon on behalf of Senator Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) campaign for the Democratic nomination. It is clear that these are two serious individuals with many substantive things to inject into the political discourse, such as Cannon's encouragement to Obama's supporters to "shake the haters off" when they are questioned about the senator's experience. Shaking off haters is certainly an easy way to respond to critical inquiry about one's candidate, but not necessarily the most helpful in the grand scheme of political discourse. I do not mean to become fixated upon one quote from the whole event, but it seems that such disregard for substantive argument is endemic of Obama's campaign, or at least of his campaign's supporters.
For all of Obama's (and his supporters') rhetoric about hope, change and bridging the nation's political divide, what evidence has been presented to show that he has the goods to deliver such broad reform once in the White House? Certainly, slogans and buzzwords are helpful when selling ideas, but at the end of the day more is needed to make the tough decisions our nation's highest office requires. In our increasingly complicated world, America needs someone who has not only talked about change and bipartisanship, but someone who has demonstrated the courage and political will to accomplish these lofty goals.
Who in this race has those character traits and experiences? Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.). In his time in the Senate, he has repeatedly reached across the aisle in order to better serve the people of these United States, risking his political future to do so. He has taken a strong stance against global warming, risking his political future to do so. He has spoken out against Washington D.C.'s opaque and corrupt earmarking culture, risking his political future to do so. He successfully advocated for change in the President George W. Bush administration's floundering Iraq peace building strategy, risking his political future to do so. Now, ask yourself, when has Senator Obama, the Senate's most liberal member in 2007, gone out on a limb in service of something other than his own political future and the greater goals of the Democratic Party?
This campus has been monopolized by Obama-mania over the last several weeks, and it has been easy for Obama's supporters to control that debate. Their monopoly is over.
Thaddeus M. Boggs
Vice Chairman
Miami University
College Republicans
boggstm@muohio.edu
Current ASG president endorses Buholzer
With all the banners plastered around campus, and all the facebook.com invitations to groups it may be hard to discern between the candidates for Thursday's student body elections. However, it is clear to me that Brendan Buholzer is the best candidate for Student Body President. I think both candidates are fit to succeed, but Buholzer has the experience, knowledge, and the heart to accomplish the issues he has pledged.
As student body president, I know first-hand the qualities and commitment necessary to excel as the leader of a 500-person organization and 15,000 students. Having worked with both candidates, I am confident endorsing Buholzer and his honest platform. Buholzer is a tested leader with experience as the president of the Residence Hall Association-one of the largest branches of student government. I worked with him as a colleague over the past two years and have always recognized his leadership as an advocate for students' concerns including student organization funding, our student fees and parking.
Buholzer is a genuine leader that is humble, but more importantly, trustworthy. When Buholzer speaks, his words are real and based on years of experience, careful thought and consideration and much foresight. For Buholzer, the campaign trail has been arduous, but not without reason. If Buholzer did not honestly care about student concerns and the student voice, I would not be writing this letter today.
Buholzer can effectively communicate: As treasurer, he speaks everyday to student organizations to help them through the funding process. Buholzer can lead: As Residence Hall Association President, Buholzer successfully led this branch of the Associated Student Government to new heights. Buholzer can effect change: As a member of the Associated Student Government cabinet, Buholzer helped overhaul the funding process, and Buholzer has my vote on Thursday, because I believe he is the best candidate.
Jens Sutmöller
Student Body President
sutmolj@muohio.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Heidi Ellis
posted 2/26/08 @ 5:00 PM EST
Responding to Mr. Boggs' letter. I am a Precinct Capt. for Barack Obama in Iowa. I would recommend you read his book called "The Audacity of Hope" or, better yet, go to his website www. (Continued…)
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