Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neeka who wrote (4477)	8/7/2003 2:36:09 PM
From: Neeka	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793677

Conservative college papers rising in numbers Publications seek to balance perceived liberal slant of established papers 6/29/2003 By Jim Martyka Jason Van Dyke knew that the time was right for a new kind of newspaper at Michigan State University, a paper that reflected his conservative views, views shared by many people on the campus who had complained about the college's liberal press. "I saw the seeds of liberalism everywhere at Michigan State, especially in the press," said Van Dyke, who in response launched the conservative Spartan Spectator. "There was a whole group of us conservatives whose voice was not being heard and that was wrong. We had to start our own paper for those of us who share these conservative views." Van Dyke isn't alone. College campuses large and small, public and private, nationwide, are seeing a surge in "conservative" newspapers started by student groups, most often to combat with what is perceived as typically liberal college media. Some media sources claim these papers have been around for some time in one form or another. Others say they are just starting to really pop up across the country. One thing's for sure, they're gaining a lot more attention now than they ever have in the past, whether it's support from other conservative groups or criticism from liberal papers or traditional journalists who don't believe newspapers should slant either way. "We're under the opinion that the more views that are expressed, the better," said Mike Hiestand, an attorney for the Student Press Law Center. "There are definitely liberal publications on college campuses and obviously, there is a place for conservative publications. It's just important that they remember to allow for differing opinions. Those different views can stimulate college campuses." There are currently over 80 "conservative" newspapers on college campuses across the country, found everywhere from major public universities like the University of Virginia and the traditionally liberal University of California-Berkeley, to small unknown community colleges. That's almost 50 percent more than there were just a few years ago. And college officials say they are getting more and more requests for funding for these papers each year. Newspaper officials and media experts said the newest crop has been partially caused by national affairs. As the country is divided over feelings on war with Iraq, reasons for the economic recession and a number of other domestic issues, there has been more protesting and more debate on college campuses in recent years than in quite a while. Conservatives claim there has been a lack of coverage of conservative views and support for the current Bush administration. However, the papers cover everything from national affairs to particular campus issues. "There are a lot of mixed feelings on these college campuses and a lot of students that are feeling very frustrated. It's very encouraging to see these students take it upon themselves to try and start these types of publications and to get some different view points out there," said Bryan Auchterlonie, executive director of the Collegiate Network, a Delaware group that trains conservative journalists and helps conservative student newspapers get seed money. Auchterlonie said he has seen an increase in interest from student journalists in launching conservative publications, though he's quick to point out that some of these pubs have existed for years. The Collegiate Network itself has helped conservative journalists since 1979. "There's more coverage of these publications now as they are making a little more noise themselves," he said. "With the state of the world as it is, everybody's trying to get their voice heard." That is exactly what Van Dyke wanted to do when he launched The Spartan Spectator in 2000 and his most recent conservative newspaper at the University of Dallas. Soon conservatives had their own editorials, coverage of political and religious issues and a slant of their own. "There's such a calling for these papers everywhere," Van Dyke said. "That's why they are almost always well received." However, there are some challenges to launching these conservative publications as Van Dyke, and other editors have discovered. First of all, many of these papers claim to have trouble finding writers and additional funding. As such, many shut down after only a year or two, before another group comes along to start one up again. And then there is the problem of controversy. In some cases, these newspapers have not been well received, as was the case at Michigan State. "People were absolutely enraged at having a conservative paper, or what they called a racist paper before they even read an issue," Van Dyke said. "We had said that we weren't in favor of a few liberal programs, so we were seen as racist. It was ridiculous. It was obvious that we weren't wanted there, but it was important that we keep going because we knew there were a lot of people out there who shared our views." That controversy has occurred on several college campuses that boast conservative newspapers. Part of the reason might be the extent of the slant that some of these paper take. A perfect example is the Virginia Advocate, which features a special section called "Stinky Hippie." Media officials said while there is definitely room for conservative and liberal papers alike, they must be clear about their slant. "If these papers are trying to come off as unbiased news resources, that's a problem," Hiestand said. "But if they clearly define and identify themselves for what they are, then there shouldn't be much of a problem. In fact, it's giving readers more choices and that's important." © Copyright 1999-2003 Associated Collegiate Press studentpress.org

To: Neeka who wrote (4477)	8/7/2003 3:22:20 PM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793677

but you cannot say that a band of pro-Mao Foreign Service agents in China had any effect on Mao's triumph in China. This is the key line. The Gentlemen involved were from Christian Missionary families, where they learned to speak Chinese.They were Eastern Establishment. They felt Mao was the wave of the future and we should be working with him. Would China have gone Commie anyway? Probably. The Russians were right there helping them, and we were involved in Europe. The State Department guys gave their honest opinion. I have never read anything to make me believe they were traitors. They were just wrong. I just did a quick search of my Library system on-line and pulled up about 98 volumes on China/US relations during and right after WWII. Huge subject. The subject has been "PoMo'd" today. The "perception" is that Mao was inevitable, the State guys she mentioned were right, and McCarthy was the Villain. That is what you will get in any China/US History class at our Universities. What I object to in Coulter is the same thing I object to with McCarthy. Too wide a brush. She tars people who were not Traitors, just wrong. McCarthy did the same. I heard Congressman DeLay giving a speech to College Republicans over the weekend, and he asked, rhetorically, "Are the DEmocrats Patriots?" His answer was, "Yes they are. But they are wrong."