Rock the Vote insert presents biased views

I am embarrassed for the Technician as a news source for students after it distributed the “You Decide. You Vote.” handout sponsored by Rock the Vote.

This is a very biased portrayal of the candidates. Everything in the McCain column is worded in such a way as to paint him in a negative light, and everything in Obama’s column practically portrays him as a saint.

For example, the issue of Iraq is completely distorted. McCain, along with 76 other Senators, including Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden supported the Iraq Resolution in 2003. Obama wasn’t even in the Senate yet to either support or not support the resolution. Also, the “quote” by McCain on Iraq is completely taken out of context. His comment was to promote finishing the job in Iraq, not staying there indefinitely. Also, the death toll numbers from Iraq noted in the column for McCain only serve as an emotional hook.

My point is that this handout blatantly served to sway voters toward Obama over McCain, and I do not believe it is the job of the Technician or Rock the Vote to manipulate voters’ opinions.

I would suggest going to both candidates’ websites to look at their platforms as well as their Senatorial record, which is made public online. I am disappointed in the Technician for disbursing this slanted handout the day before the election and attempting to persuade student voters rather than simply encouraging voter turnout.

Amy Crowe

senior, political science

Republican defense filled with fallacy

Mr. McDowell, sir, I am thoroughly amazed with your unequivocal logic, so, let’s use it.  The “Democratic Congress” means nothing, so after the 2004 “change,” the downward trend cannot be attributed to the Democratic Congress. Basically you are saying that before, when everything was “good,” Congress being controlled by Republicans meant nothing, but when things turned sour, all of a sudden it’s because of the Democrats controlling Congress. Do you see the paradox?

As far as the newspaper being biased, Mr. Bunting wrote that the columns should be more balanced, not the newspaper. It is critical that you, sir, understand the difference between these, so that you may also comprehend his argument. In the past week, there were two column viewpoints, one reading “Don’t Trust Bev Purdue” (Oct. 27) and “Is America really ready for Obama?”(Oct. 29). If these columns were entitled “Don’t trust Pat McCrory” and “Is America really ready for McCain?” would you still say it is fair and balanced?

What does Palin’s security clearance have to do with experience?  Also, address the issue of her having more executive experience than John McCain, not just Barak Obama. Which, again, is why I say, why not Palin for president?

If you want to talk about the time it takes for Congress’ policies to actually affect the economy, I would love to. However, do not belittle people with references to School House Rock — if you are going to attack one’s comments on a clearly ignorant and biased article, please keep them to yourself.

Andrew Hewitt

sophomore, physics

Farmers’ market is an excellent idea

Recently, when reading the Technician I and fellow students have thought, “Thank you for informing the student body about sustainable events and ideas.” These articles have included, but are not limited to, the renewable energy Renaissance Event, live energy meters in D.H Hill and an on-campus farmers’ market.

In regards to the farmers’ market, the majority of students have shown tremendous support. In fact the most typical response when describing the project is, “Wow, that’s awesome. Why haven’t we done this before?”

Actually, a farmers’ market was held several years ago during summer session. This closed due to changes in an internship program, not lack of student interest. The new plan is to utilize the growers in this very area. But would growers be willing to work at an on campus farmers’ market? The answer is yes. The Sustainability Commission has been working closely with the local farmers to insure the market would benefit their business and student interests alike. The Technician said it best when stating “An on-campus farmers’ market would give students a convenient place to buy healthy food and support local agriculture.”

The students want it, the faculty wants it and the local community at large expresses support. This is a great opportunity to start a tradition which could carry on at N.C. State for many years to come.

Erin Duea,

junior, textile management