2008 Woodie Awards
Everyone is an expert
Andrew Graham--The Daily Vidette (Illinois State U.)
Issue date: 2/19/03 Section: Opinion
(U-WIRE) NORMAL, Ill. - One would think MTV could make better use of its resources.
In the midst of an ongoing debate between liberals and conservatives across the country regarding the United States' plans to go to war and other foreign political issues, MTV dedicated a portion of its web space for celebrities to give their two cents.
Maybe I should care what Ja Rule and Ludacris think of the Middle East conflict and whether we should take them on, but I just don't.
But while reading their remarks, laughing it up in the process, I began to realize just how many other people routinely speak up about foreign politics when they just don't know what they're talking about.
Everywhere I turn, especially recently, I see polls trying to gauge public support for war or hear some bonehead on TV (usually Bill O'Reilly) gracing us with his opinions.
What could a normal U.S. citizen possibly have to contribute to this decision? It's highly unlikely that Joe Somebody could have some crucial information or insights that will help the U.S. government decide whether or not to start gassing up those tanks.
Still, people keep on trying, and they keep saying the same things. War supporters say, "We have to defend our country" or "Hussein has ties to bin Laden, let's get him." Somehow, these striking assertions make it into print and broadcast news repeatedly.
Those who oppose war do so because of one or all of the following reasons: Innocent people die in wars, and they are just not down with that; The United States goes to war to impose our government on other parts of the world; War costs money, and we're in a recession; or something about oil. Then they go off and stage a protest somewhere.
In what appears to be a supreme waste of time, the Normal Town Council is considering a resolution to formally affirm their opposition to a war on Iraq. Council members, like other Normal residents, can discuss the issue all they want, preferably while the council isn't meeting.
In the midst of an ongoing debate between liberals and conservatives across the country regarding the United States' plans to go to war and other foreign political issues, MTV dedicated a portion of its web space for celebrities to give their two cents.
Maybe I should care what Ja Rule and Ludacris think of the Middle East conflict and whether we should take them on, but I just don't.
But while reading their remarks, laughing it up in the process, I began to realize just how many other people routinely speak up about foreign politics when they just don't know what they're talking about.
Everywhere I turn, especially recently, I see polls trying to gauge public support for war or hear some bonehead on TV (usually Bill O'Reilly) gracing us with his opinions.
What could a normal U.S. citizen possibly have to contribute to this decision? It's highly unlikely that Joe Somebody could have some crucial information or insights that will help the U.S. government decide whether or not to start gassing up those tanks.
Still, people keep on trying, and they keep saying the same things. War supporters say, "We have to defend our country" or "Hussein has ties to bin Laden, let's get him." Somehow, these striking assertions make it into print and broadcast news repeatedly.
Those who oppose war do so because of one or all of the following reasons: Innocent people die in wars, and they are just not down with that; The United States goes to war to impose our government on other parts of the world; War costs money, and we're in a recession; or something about oil. Then they go off and stage a protest somewhere.
In what appears to be a supreme waste of time, the Normal Town Council is considering a resolution to formally affirm their opposition to a war on Iraq. Council members, like other Normal residents, can discuss the issue all they want, preferably while the council isn't meeting.