She Had Us at Hello Cally Competent, Christ-Centered Represents a Lot of What We Love Athletes,” Said Laura Peterson, the About Covenant College

BAGP THE IPE

1955 2012

C O E V E E G N A N T C O L L THEThursday, March 1, 2012 - Vol. 58.20 14049 Scenic Highway, LookoutBAGPIPE Mountain, Georgia, 30750 bagpipeonline.com A Time of Giving Transition

by MaryLynn Alexander Back Transferring athletic membership from NAIA DII to NCAA DIII by Grant Thomas at Covenant has been tedious, and while an overall positive shift, some The senior class gift is not momentary affects have been quite meant to be a student’s last gift hard for athletes, coaches, and the to the College, but the begin- administration alike. ning of an alumnus’ giving to Covenant began transferring the college. The future alumni athletic membership from the Na- of 2012 plan to start their giving tional Association of Intercollegiate to Covenant by leaving us with a Athletics Division II to National fire pit in Blackwatch Gardens, Collegiate Athletic Association Di- between Mac and Founders. vision III in July 2009. The college Seniors aim to raise a bare will enter the fourth and final year minimum of $2000 that is being of the transition in July 2012 and matched one to one by an alum- Juliet Cangelosi obtain full membership in July 2013. nus of a previous year. The goal Emily Ford, with her first child, Ash, during Student Appreciation Day last spring. “Institutionally and mission- date for the fire pit is April 1, ally, Covenant has always been in but the aim for the construction line with the philosophy of other of the fire pit is to start as soon NCAA DIII institutions and has as full funding is met. always sought to bring in academi- But why a fire pit? “A fire pit She Had Us at Hello cally competent, Christ-centered represents a lot of what we love athletes,” said Laura Peterson, the about Covenant College. It’s by Wynn Bennett interim position has turned into and develop at such a pivotal point College’s NCAA Compliance Co- something that’s beautiful and years of dedicated service and of their lives,” said Ford. ordinator, explaining why the switch will nurture the type of fellow- Ten years ago, Maclellan/Rymer commitment to the students and She has gladly put her whole heart was a natural step for Covenant. ship and conversations that are Hall had a Resident Director named community at Covenant College. into serving the Covenant commu- During the transition, the school already occurring on campus. Emily Grosselink. Now, a decade Ford oversees the many aspects of nity, quoting Thessalonians 2:8 as the needs to turn in an annual report Plus it’s fun,” said Peter Mc- later, she is Emily Ford, Covenant’s Residence Life, such as the hiring reason for her years of commitment and an institutional self study guide Crory, who is the vice president Associate Dean of Students and and training of our resident directors, to Student Development: “We loved yearly. The annual report contains of the senior class. Residence Life. She is also a mother their assistants, and residential assis- you so much that we were delighted the rosters, schedules, box scores and “I think there will be a lot of of two young kids, and as the 2011- tants, housing for incoming students to share with you not only the Gospel results from all athletic teams, prov- events that could be centered 2012 academic year concludes, she is and upperclassmen, and residence of God, but our lives as well, because ing that they have met the NCAA around it,” said senior and vice preparing to leave Covenant in order hall programs and activities. you had become so dear to us.” DIII requirements. The institutional president of the student body, to be a full-time parent. “It is such a blessing to be able to When she began working at Cov- self study guide contains informa- Continued on page 2News Continued on page 2News Continued on page 3News What had started as a one-year walk alongside students as they grow Arts Opinions Sports

TV Review: The Equation That Highlights The River Changes Everything News: 2 The Bagpipe Vol. 58.20

Giving Back million is from alumni. “We’d like Continued from front page to have alumni take ownership of that entire fund,” said Mahla. “It’s less about the size of gift Anne McNutt. “It would also and more about the commit- be a cool hangout spot. I would ment,” said senior Ben Scott. hangout there if I was still a Covenant is an expensive place student next year.” and some people might have bad McCrory is confident that the experiences, but he said, “If you senior class will raise the money believe in Covenant, it’s good to by April 1, if not before then. Any consider contributing financially.” funds past the goal of $2000 will A senior gift usually marks go to making the the fire pit “that the first gift towards the college much better,” according to Mc- as a student, and the advance- Crory. “What’s more important ment offices stores givers’ names is to have a wide base of senior in hopes of future financial participation that communicates commitment and a life-long that they really care about this relationship with the college. “If place and care about its future.” you believe in what Covenant Assistant Alumni Director College stands for then giving to Tim Mahla, who is helping over- Covenant is an honorable thing see the senior class’s first steps to do” said Mahla. into the alumni giving process, Those tight on cash can con- said, “the alumni office wants to tribute in other ways, according be of service to the rest of gradu- to Mahla. Praying, recruiting, ating student’s lives, by caring, and working with the Center for by serving, and by providing the Calling and Career as an alumni opportunity to serve the college.” also support the school. The Current tuition cost, as high as most important of these being it seems, does not cover cost of praying for Covenant. Covenant’s annual budget, and generally an amount of $2.2 mil- If you would like to help the senior lion is required to bridge that gap class reach their goal, you can talk in Covenant’s annual fund, so that to a senior manning the table in Carter lobby, or visit http://www. the college can continue. Typically, Naomi Belz about one fourth of that $2.2 covenant.edu/giving. Tim Goldsmith sits at the senior gift table.

Emily Ford “Because of the high demands priority,” said Ford. a loved member of the community. Continued from front page of my job and my desire to put my Ford still hopes to be involved “It is certainly a loss to Covenant,” Correction family as my top priority, I believe in Covenant’s community, and she says Brad Voyles, Vice President for enant, Ford did not know whether God has changed my calling. My remains a part of the Covenant fam- Student Development and Dean of The News article “Keeping It marriage and family would also be husband and I have decided that ily — her husband will continue to Students. “She took great ownership Real” in Bagpipe issue 18.58 was one of her callings, but she remained now that we have two kids, it would work for Safety and Security, and her of the residence life program. She written by Grace Sharrar. focused on her vocation in Residence be best for all of us if I stayed home stepson is joining the student body was a great partner in the work of Life. In 2006, however, Greg Ford with them full-time,” said Ford. as a freshman in the fall of 2012, student development.” came to Covenant as the Director Ford has found it challenging to giving her every opportunity to stay Janet Hulsey, Director of Academic of Safety and Security. They began balance her job and her family, and at active on campus. Support, says of Ford: “She has made a to date in 2007, and they married times she has been faced with the dif- “I’m not exactly sure what that will lasting impact on hundreds of students. in June 2008. But while Ford has ficult decision to put her work before look like, but I’m willing to help out We will not be able to find someone maintained her dedication to her job, her family. But that is going to change. wherever I’m needed,” said Ford. to fill her shoes. I do think that we will family has naturally brought changes “The Lord has provided a way Ford’s departure comes with a find someone who brings their own to her personal life, including the for us that I’m able to stay at home sense of understanding about the unique gift set to Covenant, and makes addition of two new members. with my kids, so that they are my top necessity of it. But she has become an impact in a different way.” Faculty Quote of the Week I don’t like to read. I like to smoke. I do read the cigar box label and the Surgeon General’s warning. - Prof. Dodson Vol. 58.20 The Bagpipe News: 3 The Verdict Transitions Continued from front page

Yes... to shorts. tion about financial aid, recruiting, and the involvement of school lead- No... to your pasty ership in the activities of athletics. white pre-spring- Athletes are getting affected too. The school is only granted pro- break legs. visional membership during this four-year process, barring athletic teams from post-season play in NCAA DIII. While waiting for BAGP THE IPE full membership in the NCAA DIII, the teams are participating in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association regional and Sarah Swygard national tournaments. 1955 2012 “The philosophy behind the rules and regulations is that the student athlete is focused primarily on academics, espe-

C cially in the off-season,” said Peterson. O V G E E N L E The major effects of this move A N T C O L A Time to Speak Up are restrictions on athletic scholarships (students may only receive by Lily Davis gard said. “You need to know how members of the Student Senate merit-based aid), regulations on the the program works in order to would like to begin working on THE BAGPIPE number of games played, limiting Unless you have a specific con- really plan it out, and that works getting this move — if it is going each sport to 18 or 19 week seasons, nection to Covenant’s Speech better if you have an actual coach. to happen — figured out as soon and reduced interaction between stu- and Debate Club, you probably In general, it works better if you as possible. Adrienne Belz dents and coaches in the off-season. have never given the club much can handle it more like an athletic The biggest vision for the debate Editor in Chief “I am positive about the future of thought. Actually, you probably team.” club is sustainability, according athletics in the NCAA DIII but be- don’t even know it exists. This may Moving the Forensics Society to Swygard: “Just making sure ing an athlete during the transition change in the next couple of years, into a department and turning it that when I graduate, [the club] Grace Mullaney has been difficult. Losing scholar- however, as Student Development into an actual team would require is just not going to exist anymore. ship money, moving conferences, and the Student Senate consider that the college hire a debate Whether that means moving it Managing Editor and the loss of a post-season tourna- the possibility of grafting the coach, but aside from that, Swy- into a department or through ment to compete in have all been program into an existing academic gard said she is not sure what this some other means, sustainability.” challenging for me personally and department and making it into an move would look like. Student Development seems to Grant Thomas for the women’s basketball team,” official, college-run team. At other schools, debate teams be approaching this process with a Layout Editor said Hannah Craft, a senior on the “The possibility of a college- generally belong to communi- slightly different timeline in mind, women’s basketball team. supported debate program is cations departments. Because however. A statement released by Mae Mae Johnson, a junior soc- something that has been discussed Covenant does not have a com- Dean Voyles indicated that the de- Annie Huntington Copy cer player, was also frustrated with over the past couple of years,” said munications department, however, partment is is not sure when this the move at first, but she has since Brad Voyles, Vice President for Swygard admitted that the placing transition may take place. Rebekah Taft News seen the benefits of being in DIII. Student Development and Dean of the team is something that “It is on the list of possibilities “I didn’t see how taking away of Students. would have to be worked out with to be considered for inclusion in Walter Somerville Arts another venue for scholarship money The Debate Club, formally Student Development. the next round of strategic plan- could be positive, but now I under- known as the Forensics Society, Other aspects of housing the ning for the college. As we are in Prentis & Bestvater Opinions stand. I have been challenged to work is currently what its name states team in an academic department the midst of a presidential transi- hard academically, and have realized — a club. It receives funding from could include offering members of tion, the strategic planning process John Drexler Sports that my coaches are concerned about Student Senate and is run by a the team class credit, possibly at- has adjusted pace to allow for this my whole person,” said Johnson. student, like other official clubs on tracting debaters to Covenant with transition,” he said. Until Cov- Naomi Belz Photo According to head men’s basket- campus. scholarships, and procuring better enant’s new president is decided ball coach Kyle Taylor, the move However, junior Sarah Swygard, funding, which would allow the upon and installed in office, there Zach Knuth Distribution has created challenges in recruiting, current president of the Debate team to compete at more debate is no way of telling exactly when but has had a positive impact on his Club, said that the club is different tournaments. possible new programs, such as a program and athletics. from other clubs in some signifi- Although Swygard has seen debate team, will become realities. Faculty Advisor “We [at Covenant] need to get to cant ways. It requires a lot of time these aspects implemented in He added that as different Cliff Foreman know students well to make sure they for planning and organization, other colleges’ debate teams, she academic departments hire and fully understand the mission and since the members actually go to said that at Covenant, everything interview new faculty members, For inquiries or comments, contact vision of the college and will fit well tournaments and compete in dif- will depend on “what Covenant they continue to look into hiring Adrienne Belz at [email protected]. with our campus community and ferent forensic events. can do, and what they’re willing someone with the “gifts and ex- This is a Covenant College student publication Christ-centered curriculum. I have to “In terms of teaching, coaching, to do.” periences…to develop and lead a The views expressed herein do not necessarily trust that God will provide Covenant and planning tournaments, it’s a Because Swygard will be debate program here at Covenant.” reflect those of the College or the student body. with this type of athlete,” said Taylor. lot for a student to handle,” Swy- graduating in about a year, she and

If you have something you wish to read about or would like to write an article for News, please contact News editors Rebekah Taft at [email protected]. Arts: 4 The Bagpipe Vol. 58.20

Uwire.com TV Review: The River Savoringservant.blogspot.com by Greg Steele Cloverfield, and Peli’s Paranor- sion show to the daily lives of mal movies. Characterized by its all those involved. It only takes by Beth Ann Fogal What do you need to do to get a documentary style, employment the plot thirty minutes before horror show on network televi- of “discovered” film recordings, you begin to emotionally interact A step into the frozen pool sion? Scaring a famous filmmaker filming by main characters, and and identify with the characters. A fearful glance behind is a good start. Oren Peli, while shaky camera work, this style These characters are both believ- A touch of cold against the skin shopping for a distributor for his translates well from the realm of able and sympathetic, and that A shiver up the spine pioneer film Paranormal Activity, horror movies to horror televi- combination makes for some of got a copy of the movie into the sion. The camera work furthers the best early character develop- A run into the graceful light hands of Steven Spielberg. The the suspense and intensity of the ment of any show out right now. A stutter of uncertainty legendary director and producer show, and it makes the viewer The show could be criticized A sidestep to the furnace, bright was so scared by it that he had believe that he is watching some- for its slow and underdeveloped A face of solemn dignity to stop the film halfway through thing real. These “found foot- plot. Each hour of the show and finish it in the morning. He age” reels are interspersed with pushes toward one supernatu- Overwhelmed, understood, overused, unbroken immediately approached Peli gorgeous pans of the Amazon ral occurrence, and other than What can be said when nothing can be spoken? about creating a project like basin that are rich with color and that occurrence, not much else Paranormal Activity for television. vitality. The cinematography is happens as far as action goes. Silence rings, the only cure Two years later, Peli was shooting stunning from start to finish, and There are many intricate subplots Screaming, the reaction the pilot episode for The River in raises the bar for the visual qual- being developed, but none of Care thrown to the wind Puerto Rico. ity of television. them have fast-moving direction. Thoughts forced into retraction The River traces the story of Graeme Revell, known for This early in the show, though, the family of Emmet Cole, a na- his work is movies such as The the slow plot can be forgiven in Futile attempts to rest the soul ture television star akin to Steve Chronicles of Riddick, Assault light of the time the writers are Lingering thoughts emphasized Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. on Precinct 13, and Pineapple spending on character develop- Restless minds repeat few words Cole disappears in an uncharted Express, has written an outstand- ment. Hopefully, the plot will Entranced cries immortalized part of the Amazon River basin ing score for the show. The music pick up pace in time. while filming new footage for is eerie but not melodramatic. The River is a revolutionary Mindless, weary, deliberate, refined his show. His wife, Tess, enlists Well-placed swells and appropri- show, bringing the “found foot- It all makes sense, once thoroughly combined the help of their estranged son, ate silences mark this masterful age” horror genre to television. Lincoln, to travel to the Amazon soundtrack. It complements the Breathtaking cinematography, A humble glance heaven bound to search for Emmet. They are suspenseful camera work to cre- a magnificent score, and deep A respite from above accompanied by Emmet’s home ate a mood that always has the character development all make A reprimanding fortitude production crew, who agree to viewer on the edge of his seat. for one of the best shows of A subtle, intent shove fund the rescue operation as Character development is the new mid-season premiers. long as they can document it all second only to the cinematog- Whether it will remain a high Grace still in perfect view for a show, as well as Emmet’s raphy in excellence. The show’s quality show after Spielberg Ice close behind mechanic and his daughter. The premier spends much of the departs as executive producer Fire underneath the feet rest of the show flows out of this time setting the backdrop for (he only produced the two-hour Watery, swollen eyes premise — a search for a lost the story through old clips from premier) remains to be seen, but man in the wilderness. Emmet’s TV show, his own Peli’s reputation bodes well for Reinvented, intertwined, reformed, infused The greatest strength of this personal footage, and flashbacks. the show. The River is well worth Pure wisdom and intentions can only ensue show is the cinematography. The The familial conflicts between your time in a year known for show is shot in the “found foot- Emmet, Tess, and Lincoln are television flops. age” style popularized by mov- explored in depth, as well as ies like The Blair Witch Project, the relationships of the televi- Vol. 58.20 The Bagpipe Arts: 5 A Fresh Taste of Music Style: folk-punk Sounds like: The Mountain Goats Andrew Jackson Jihad From: Phoenix, Arizona

by Walter Somerville and simplistic sound has evolved to one of AJJ’s songs (even the funny include banjo, mandolins, drums, ones) is so true and so unblinking We talk a lot about the human and upright bass, along with the that it is often hard to stomach. condition here at Covenant Col- occasional kazoo, and with the re- No one in their right mind wants lege (original sin, total depravity, lease of their newest album (Knife to hear lines like “No matter who etc.). We also have a pretty fine Man, 2011) Andrew Jackson Jihad we are, there’s a rapist and a Nazi sense of wit and humor. One finally has a full band. Regardless living in our tiny hearts” from the could say it would make sense, of their instrumental makeup, their song “People II: The Reckoning,” then, that a band who mixed these sound has always fallen somewhere but if we believe what the Bible two elements together (in a tasty between traditional bluegrass and says, we’ve got to admit that they folk-punk melange) could and ‘90s punk acts like The Offspring. have a point, even if they are miss- would be pretty popular, right? Let Some songs even transition ing the message of Jesus’ saving me introduce you to a band you between acoustic instruments and grace. and everyone you know has never fuzzed-out electric guitar, tied It isn’t all bleak finger-pointing, heard of: The Andrew Jackson together only by Bonnette’s break- though; all of the members of the Jihad. neck vocals and a wicked sense of band are active social workers, and Sean Bonnette and Ben Gallety urgency. volunteer regularly for their local of Phoenix, Arizona, founded the And that is what the band homeless shelters and food banks. band with their original drummer, is really about: a message that This also informs their lyrics, as Justin James White, on a founda- identifies the many problems in Bonnette constantly returns to the Ilistensoyoudonthaveto.com tion of scathing yet insightful lyrics society, and calls for social activism importance of helping and loving and relentless acoustic punk. They and awareness. Somehow, these others, because even though peo- quickly rose to the top of the cities’ foul-mouthed pagans are able ple do the worst things, and mess only hope he has faith in me.” So, of you looking for a band that will grassroots music scene, playing to identify the state of humanity up all the time, we also love them while they may be foul and social- make you think, and feel, and love small bars and basements anywhere better than many Christians. The as the song “PEOPLE” states: “I gospel-y, the band really does have to live, look no further than The they could. Since then, their raw image of sin that pervades every have faith in my fellow man, I can a lot worth saying, and for those Andrew Jackson Jihad.

Style: Garage band with rockability Sounds Like: The Hives The Black Lips From: Atlanta, Georgia

by Grant Thomas done a whole album in a week,” begins with some of the most guitarist and singer Cole Alexan- memorable whistling I’ve heard These are the kids your parents der said. “After our last album, we in a while, then dives into lyrics warned you about. Their lyrics plateaued with that approach. We about sour cheeseburgers. If range from Dali to superhero mo- decided to spend a lot of time and that’s not your quintessential lestation to dumpster diving, and actually work on this record. It garage rock, then I don’t know their stage antics make the tail ended up taking a year and a half, what is. Moreover, the album end of Folk Fest look like child’s which is the longest we’ve ever makes a decent road trip album. play. They are the Black Lips. spent.” The record has a lot of drive and If you are a garage rock fan, like Arabia Mountain has one of momentum in the songs, with bizarre lyrics, or can get down the most contiguous sounds in wandering vocals and guitars to ‘60s rock or rockability, there an album I’ve heard in a long throughout the album that give should be nothing to hold you back time. The songs have a great the vibe of wanderlust. from listening to the Black Lips’ continuity throughout the entire The trouble with this album is latest album, Arabia Mountain. album in spite of the random- the lack of a real standout hit, and However, if you’re not into that ness of the lyrics. With that although all of the songs are good scene, don’t disregard them too continuity come some simple on their own, listening through quickly. A song from their previ- songs that are catchier than the the album you can get lost in an ous album, Good Bad Not Evil, common cold. “Mad Dog” and indistinguishable wave of ‘60s ga- entitled “Bad Kids,” was featured “Raw Meat” stand out to me rage punk. The very continuity that on the romantic comedy 500 Days as two of the songs with the holds the album together has the of Summer’s soundtrack. strongest hooks. “Mad Dog” has side effect of letting your attention Their sixth album to date, Arabia a dark jazzy saxophone intro wander as the songs move along. Black Lips capture so well. ever have an inkling in your ears to Mountain is their most produced that gets me moving every time Another turnoff for some listeners Arabia Mountain is odd, snappy, listen to some fun garage rock, this album yet. “We’ve gone in and I listen to it, and “Raw Meat” may be the old-style vocals that the repetitive, and retro. But if you is certainly an album to consider.

If you have something you wish to read about or would like to write an article for Arts, please contact Arts editor Walter Somerville at [email protected] Opinions: 6 The Bagpipe Vol. 58.20 Food, Beauty, and Southern Comfort

by Harris Stevens these crimes were undoubtedly heinous and immoral, but we should seek to learn from them During the Women in the Church (WIC) and grow because of them. I am not calling for lecture series, Dr. Eric Miller, the guest forgetfulness; in fact, we ought to remember speaker from Geneva College, stumbled these acts as low points of humanity and areas upon a startling truth: Southern culture is to avoid in the future. However, the South as a slowly disappearing. Dr. Miller made his whole also contributed many good aspects to observation during a meet-and-greet time on American society, and those contributions ought Thursday evening. After hearing from plenty to be remembered and preserved. of students from Georgia, Tennessee, and I love the South. I was born in Charlotte, North and South Carolina, Miller asserted North Carolina, which is arguably the that one of Covenant’s Canadian students most Northern city in North Carolina, but had the thickest southern accent in the room. my mother’s side of the family hails from He was obviously exaggerating the situation, Vicksburg, Mississippi, and my father’s but Southerners are indeed abandoning their roots go back to Florida and Alabama. trademark accents in favor of a more generic These lands south of the Mason-Dixon are tone. While the loss of the southern accent Pasadenachef.blogspot.com the roots that are dear to me. The South is seems like a tragedy to many of us with ties full of sinners and will be until the redemp- to the Old South, it marks a much greater tion of the world. It has committed crimes piece of American culture that we are slowly To me, the Old South represents a hold- books, fashions, and recipes. It was infinitely which I will make no attempt to excuse or banishing to the annals of history. over from Christendom that is now gone. more than isolated farmers getting drunk on explain away, but it is my home. It is dearer Although its remnants are rooted in the The Old South offered a unique take on moonshine and thrashing about the country- to me than any other place on earth. I can- pre-Civil War days of the South, an awful time chivalry, courtesy, propriety, beauty, etc., that side. It was a way of life, and it was beautiful. not express in words my love for it. It has in America’s history, we should not throw out America can claim as its own. As I have stated, the South was an admirable bred me in the ways of chivalry and free- all of the Southern culture. The core of this cul- Traditionally Southern culture has been culture and contributed numerous things to dom, it has defined my domestic experience, ture was found in cities such as Charleston and marked by good (and fried) food, words like American society. But southern life was certain- and it has given me a love for the earth that Atlanta, Birmingham and Baton Rouge — the “yella” (yellow) and “mundee” (Monday), and ly not without its faults. Every modern Ameri- God created. It is close to my heart, and I kinds of places that come to mind when you a more personable and friendly citizenry. can is only all too aware of the horror of slavery. cannot bear to imagine that it may be “…no think of tall mansions with sweeping verandas Southerners developed their own way of I would never in any way condone slavery, or more than a dream remembered. A civiliza- and large, old trees coated with a spidery moss. life and produced many remarkable homes, defend white Southerners’ use of slaves. All of tion gone with the wind..."

want the person being discussed to hear you wouldn’t do whatever they did. Gossip makes say. A definition that my pastor once used us feel guilty for saying things we wouldn’t was that “gossip is confessing someone else’s want our “friend” to know we said and makes sin for them.” Most importantly, I would us nervous they might find out. Gossip does say that gossip occurs when we focus on not fix anything. So why do we keep gossip- our “story” about another person instead of ing so much when it has such negative im- about ourselves and our own feelings. pacts on us? Probably because it makes us feel What does it looks like to make our better about ourselves for about ten seconds. “stories” about someone else? Let’s say my The solution to this rampant problem, friend stepped on my toe and broke it. I I think, takes a few steps. The first step in could tell this story to others in multiple fixing any problem is acknowledging the ways. One approach is embellishing and problem is there and identifying it in our focusing on my friend by saying, “She own lives. After identifying the problem, stepped on my toe and was clearly not we need to start praying that we’ll be more paying attention to anyone but herself.” Is aware of our sins and that God will help us Posterdunk.com that statement true? Possibly, but it doesn’t change or even help us want to change. We need to be told that way. A second way to can also attempt to tell our “stories” as facts tell the story might be, “My friend stepped and focus on our own feelings instead of on on it by accident — it really hurts, but I’ll what the other person did. I’m not saying be alright.” The second still shares what that we should become self-centered by Careful What You Say happens by stating the facts, but has more of solely talking about ourselves, but rather we an emphasis on oneself instead of the other should just not take our negativity out on by Kelsey Matthews few days ago I would have defined gossip as person. By sharing what’s going on in our others. Finally, I would say that we should saying something mean, i.e., “so-and-so is a lives with an emphasis on ourselves, we will talk to the person that we might have Proverbs 11:9 With their mouths the godless slut,” or something to that extent. minimize the amount of talk and criticism agitation with or harsh feelings towards. It’s destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge My current view of gossip is more com- we share about others. hard confronting someone because there is the righteous escape. plex. I would still describe it as saying mean Gossip does more than just affect the always the risk of hurting a friend’s feel- things about another person, but I also think people we gossip about, however; it also af- ings. But I guarantee that talking behind a We have all heard that gossip is bad and that it includes saying things that negatively affects the gossiper. Gossiping gives us a feeling friend’s back is more hurtful to one’s own we should abstain from it. But how many fect other people’s opinions about someone of superiority over the person we are talking relationship with them than it is to talk to of us really understand what gossip is? A else. It is saying things that you would not about and reinforces our conviction that we directly to the friend about it. Vol. 58.20 The Bagpipe Opinions: 7 Don’t Fall for Bias: Be a Critic by Thomas Holcombe Not only does the media seem to over- look Obama’s constitutional trespasses, but Coming from a conservative right-winger, they also seem to purposefully color the the charge of media bias may sound like a questions they pose him in an overly favor- noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. It is an able light. For instance, in November 2011, oft-made claim that makes people either CNN White House correspondent Dan shrug their shoulders in apathy or shake Lothian lobbed up this softball question to their heads in disagreement. Here’s the the president after describing several of the scene so far: Republican candidates’ views on water- A study by the Pew Research Center in boarding: “So I’m wondering if you think 2009 found that in the first two months that they’re uninformed, out of touch, or of President Obama’s administration, 42 irresponsible?” If Obama had been a Repub- percent of over 1,200 news stories from lican, Lothian would have been laughed out major media outlets such as The Washington of his job for asking a president such an easy Post, The New York Times, ABC, CBS, and question. NBC contained “favorable” coverage of the Traditionally, the media has acted as the president. When compared to the previous Rileyyates.com watchdog in politics, informing the public two presidents the numbers are quite strik- of our government’s daily proceedings and ing. During each of their first two months holding politicians accountable for their ac- in office, presidents Clinton and Bush only dent Obama made several “recess” appoint- received a pass on the appointments with tions. Over the course of the first three years received 26 and 22 percent of favorable ments to his administration. I put recess in barely a mention of it in the mainstream of the Obama administration, however, coverage, respectively. The media craze for quotes because the Senate was not actually media. When the Bush administration (no the media has acted as a rubber stamp for Barack Obama began during his presi- in recess. They were in a “pro-forma” session politics here) purportedly infringed on the everything that has proceeded from 1600 dential nomination contest. After Obama where not everyone was present, but still Constitutional rights, the media went nuts. Pennsylvania Avenue. And while one may delivered an acceptance speech for Wiscon- not fully in recess. While the appointments However, the media criticism was decid- make the charge that Fox News does the sin’s primary in early 2008, MSNBC’s Chris themselves were probably not that contro- edly silent in the case of Barack Obama. same thing for the political right, I’ll leave Matthews said, “The feeling most people get versial, the constitutionality of these appoint- Though one might say that the magnitude of you with this one takeaway: be mindful when they hear a Barack Obama speech, I ments is dubious at best. The Constitution President Bush’s constitutional over-reaches of the source of your news. Far too many mean, I get, I felt this thrill go up my leg.” requires that any presidential appointments were more egregious than those of President people read headlines on the Internet and And while this might be the most hyper- be approved by the Senate. When the Senate Obama, I would say that any constitutional take them at face value. Don’t just drink the bolic of those in the media, the case for a is not in session, or in recess, the president breaches performed by the President and the Kool-Aid; be a skeptic and investigate for strong media bias towards President Obama has the power to make appointments which executive branch should be brought to the yourself to find out what is actually occur- quickly become evident. require no such vote. What does this have to forefront of conversation, not tossed to the ring in your hometown, in your home state, Flash-forward to this January 2012. Presi- do with media bias, you might ask? Obama side by the media. and in your nation’s capital. A Modest Proposal: Speak Up

by Anna Weirsema tian in a contemporary Christian culture, tend to share them with other women. My we can better enrich and correct each other. just read Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett theory is that men and women have different Men and women are meant to exist in unity In the past three weeks, three articles have Harris and was talking to me about their ways of discussing things — I may be wrong rather than duality: “God created man (one) appeared in Opinions about women’s roles in online “Modesty Survey.” In some ways on this — but it seems to me that men don’t in his own image, in the image of God he the church. All of them were written by men. helpful, this survey posed statements about mind speaking up, while women communi- created them (two), in the image of God he Obviously, men should be pondering modesty and had respondents (all male) cate more indirectly, waiting for a gap in the created him (one), male and female he created women’s roles in the church, and they have mark to what extent they agreed or dis- argument, waiting to know their opinion is them (two)” (emphasis, parentheses mine). valid and helpful things to say about the issue. agreed with the statements (i.e. “jeans are needed and valued before they speak. The triune God created the bi-une man in His But don’t women have just as much to think always immodest,” which thankfully almost So it’s not enough just to have discussions, image, in unity as well as diversity. about and just as much to add to the discus- everyone “strongly disagreed” with). but we also need to have a way to encourage At Covenant, and in the church, we segre- sion? We need to discuss and change together. Our approach to modesty is subtly male- women (and other marginalized groups) to gate the genders to a great degree, but I suggest What bothers me is the degree to which al- centric: men, after all, have eyes, and women, participate; we need to start asking “What we start conscientiously inviting “others” most all our Evangelical “debates” — from poli- after all, have bodies. One tends to forget that do you think?” and “What are your opin- (other genders, races, ages) into our discussions, tics to leadership to modesty — are controlled women have eyes too, and men do have bod- ions?” instead of just voicing your own. holding more public discussion forums, but es- by men. Not moderated by men, but dominated ies. It is possible for men, as well as women, This process is mutual: men need to learn pecially being more conscious in informal situa- by men. When was the last time you heard to dress and behave immodestly and that girls how to invite women into the conversation tions to listen to other people’s perspectives. modesty addressed from a woman’s perspective? lust too, not just emotionally but also visually. and women need to enter the conversation. My 13-year old sister, in that tricky realm Women have opinions about modesty and Together we need to craft a system that al- Join the discussion at wittenbergfloor.kepler. of figuring out what it means to be Chris- all these other issues too, of course, but they lows both of our voices to be heard, so that covenant.edu.

If you have something you wish to read about or would like to write an article for Opinions, please contact Opinions editors S. Bestvater or M. Prentis at [email protected] or [email protected] Sports: 8 The Bagpipe Vol. 58.20 Highlights

by John Drexler Covenant’s rugby club, led by The Lady Scots softball team Margaret Cross and Jessie Blanken- senior Scott McKeon, also won took a tough loss to a solid ship led the women’s basketball team Saturday was a big day for Cov- their first local match on Satur- Cumberland Lady Bulldogs, to a strong finish at home, crushing enant athletics, with nearly every day. Although they are not able losing 6-5. With a record of 1-3, Salem College 65-47. These Lady active team competing at home and to join the official Chattanooga the team is struggling to pro- Scots finished the season 6-19. on the road. Several seasons kicked Rugby League this year, they duce wins in spite of their solid off, and several came to a close. are working hard in exhibition offense thus far. Similarly, the men’s team finished matches this year to gear up for the season with a solid win at The men’s and women’s tennis 2013. They beat the Chattanooga The men’s baseball team also Berry College on Tuesday. The teams swept Maryville College in Lions’ b-team in a surprising seems to be struggling with a 3-4 men came out the gates swinging 18 matches. This undisputed win upset, winning 7-0. Once in the record after a rough road trip to this season, and produced some re- in their first match of the season league, Covenant will face Bryan Birmingham-Southern this week- ally impressive wins, but struggled came as a nice motivation for their College, Lee University, Sewan- end. The Scots lost both games in as the season progressed. They coming competitions. nee, and others. a double header. finished the season 8-17. Write for Sports

If you have something you wish to read about or would like to write an article for the Sports Section of the Bagpipe, please contact Sports Section editor John Drexler at [email protected]