Dear Editor,
Almost every time I read the East Tennessean, I look to the Viewpoint page kind of like how I look at a car crash – I get angry every time I read it, but I just can’t look away because I think someday I’ll see a good letter that provokes thought.
I think I get upset not because of controversial issues, but because of bad arguments.
I remember the first time I read Randi Brockman’s article last year advocating doing everything short of shooting people in the crusade to get people to park straight on campus.
Then there was Crystal Diaz’s letter that told smokers that she’d rather watch smokers freeze out in the rain than stand under an awning she had to pass under. The goal of her letter was to try to get them to be more considerate of nonsmokers.
And of course, there is the more recent letter of Brandon Gore’s telling everyone to shut up about Ludacris, it’s your fault, etc.
The point of these letters is to gain positive acceptance for parking straight, consideration of nonsmokers, and a controversial artist’s concert with an allegation of an unfair election process, but all of these articles’ effectiveness was destroyed by bad and negative arguing, i.e. “Maybe you, Bill O’ Reilly and the rest of the Metallica Fan Club can sit together and talk about how miserable a time you are all having.”
This statement only serves to anger your opposition, and make them hate you more. Please stop.
You can make your articles and opinions a lot more effective by honestly listening and considering your opposition, rather than pigeonholing and belittling them.
By doing so, you make your opposition that much more willing to hear you out and act on your request.
That being said, I don’t think it’s fair to say that everyone had a chance to vote.
I personally didn’t hear about the election until it was finished, and I’ve never checked my z-mail account. As a matter of fact, I don’t even know how to access it.
Most people at ETSU live off campus, which means that they probably had their own e-mail addresses before coming here.
Wouldn’t a better idea for an artist election, or a Homecoming election be a kiosk in the Culp, where people had to scan their IDs to post a ballot?
And doesn’t advertising for a controversial issue such as this at least need to be on the little marquis board down in the Cave?
Henry Rollins had a record turnout because of that little sign, so there are cheap ways to get the word out about the vote this year, rather than z-mail, which not everyone uses.
(For those that weren’t here last year, the campaign to raise the activity fee from $4 to $20 was a crazy one. Had word been publicized about the artist selection, I’m certain ETSU could have coughed up more than a measly 400 votes.)
So, while I think our student government failed us in coming up with a fair way to choose this year’s Homecoming artist, and I’m not really a fan of Ludacris.
I will be at the concert this year, I guess, seeing how much I like Ludacris and giving those who do an opportunity to change my mind. And I will hope for and support a fairer way to choose the artist next year.
Brooks Lastinger

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