Barack would bring fresh politics, end Clinton-Bush presidential dynasty

Dear Editor:

I’m writing in response to Ms. Suzanne Holt’s comments in the Stater last Monday. It sounds to me that she has “Clinton-Mania.” She seems to be upset because Barack Obama is gathering momentum and popularity with his sound policies and charismatic energy that has captured a nation, as familiar as how Bobby Kennedy once did. Did Ms. Holt really compare Barack’s popularity and poll demographing to President Bush’s in the 2000 election? The 2000 election was a historic election as well because of how close the election was, not because of demographics, or surging popularity of candidates. President Bush was elected because the two candidates running were both crappy, and we elected who we thought was the better candidate.

Barack Obama is something fresh and new that America is looking for. Yes, this is a historic election because we have two top-notch Democratic candidates running for the bid, and they are both minorities. That’s the only thing fresh with Sen. Clinton. She’s the first woman to make it this far in an election. Other than that, nothing is new. Same political dynasty that we have seen since 1981.

No one under the age of 37 has been able to vote in a U.S. presidential election where there has not been either a Bush or a Clinton candidate. Think about that for a second. Bush Sr. was vice president from 1981 to 1989, which means there hasn’t been a presidential election ballot without a Bush or Clinton on it since 1981. Can you imagine? For the first time in their lives, 41-year-olds might see a presidential ballot without any Bushes or Clintons on it. Hillary Clinton is nothing new! Same politics, different day.

Hillary Clinton is a good politician with loads of experience. I will take Barack’s less experience over hers any day. Barack has less experience in the U.S. Senate than Hillary — that just means he has fewer people to answer to and fewer special interests to cater to. Hillary, on the other hand, has been in politics for quite some time. That doesn’t necessarily mean that because someone has been in politics for a long time that they automatically cater to special interests. It just does for Hillary. Hillary attempted in the mid-’90s for universal health care reform but fell short and eventually became the second-highest recipient of health care industry campaign donations.

For anyone supporting Hillary because she is a woman, don’t. For anyone supporting Barack because he is an African American, don’t. Support the candidate who will make the United States into a respectable state in the international community, as well as at home. Hint-hint: It’s Barack!

Randy Thomas

Senior history and political science major

Late Night Christian Fellowship deserves a big thank you

Dear Editor:

Hello Beth. We met several years ago, I hope you’ll remember. Regardless, I want to thank you.

Thank you, truly, for the opportunity to bear witness to how one small rag-tag group of students on Kent State’s campus showed me love throughout my five years as a student. I should have done this long ago; sadly it wasn’t my initiative, but your recent column that finally pushed me into action.

I met the Late Night Christian Fellowship crew back in 2001, as a freshman. They were (and still are) weird. But in a way that kept me coming back. They knew how to have fun, in an “I-don’t-care-how-much-of-an-ass-I’m-making-of-myself” sort of way. It was refreshing in the social climate and pressures of a first year student’s world.

It wasn’t claims of being the most “progressive” Christian group — never their banner — that drew me in. Rather, they became family. They became some of my closest friends — real friends who are willing to piss you off with the truth, when it’s the loving thing to do. Many, male and female, have been the best teachers and mentors of my life. The love I’ve received is overwhelming; it’s naive to think I will do it justice here.

Beth, I’m truly sorry this wasn’t your experience. Because I’ve laughed, cried, argued and journeyed with this family of people for the last seven years, it’s especially bewildering for me to read your words.

You’ve not been fair to the Late Night Community. And as a journalist myself, with a commitment to truth deeply ingrained in my fibers, I had to respond.

Having lived in the community house at the time of the decision you referred to (which, being a coed house, was friendly to both genders), I would love to communicate the amount of love and compassion and forgiveness that went into a very heartbreaking decision; but honestly, will you believe me? It’s fair to recognize that we probably have very different understandings of what love looks like.

There’s not space to go into point by point where I think you erred in your statements. Besides, I’d rather talk about this over coffee; and believe me, if you ask I will tell. For now I’ll say in respect toward Late Night, you’ve been like a visitor dropping in on a few family functions, assuming to then possess the insight necessary to pass judgments from a removed, short-lived experience.

Instead, being someone with a fuller history, I want to say thank you Late Night: for pursuing me when I was a stranger and having a vision for me that was bigger than I thought I deserved; for helping me know Christ, showing me the depths of his love, authentically and with abundant grace; for fueling my passion for justice and opening my eyes to the needs of my neighbors; for giving me opportunities to grow. I love you my dear friends, my family. Thank you.

Becky Adams

Magazine journalism major alumna and former Late Night student leader