The Purchase ISSUE 68 B U S H D E C L A R E S WA R The Wa s h i n g t o n O N H U R R I C A N E S R e p o r t By Steven Ta r t i c k By Joel Ballezza Image, it’s What’s for Dinner. Speaking to a crowd of devastated Floridians Wednesday morning, President Bush Would you ever vote for a balding gave his condolences and unveiled his plan to president? Or buy groceries in all brown pack- help those affected by the string of tropical aging? Even worse, watch a movie with a storms. “We are living in a time of unparalleled leading actor who “has a nice personality”? danger,” Bush said. “Our enemies are strong, Image is not just an important part of how we and growing in numbers. These storms will make decisions; it just may be the only way. stop at nothing to destroy the lives of innocent Image used to be a term reserved Americans. They are cold blooded killers, intent for conversations between the fashion elite, Speaking to a group of assorted on spreading fear and terror, and it’s time that discussions during a corporate re-branding minorities late Wednesday evening, presidential we, as patriotic American’s, stand up to the meeting, or more elementary, while adjusting hopeful John Kerry endorsed, then quickly threat at hand.” the iris on a camera. The word image now denounced the operation. “The Bush adminis- The new plan, dubbed OPERATION implies much more and the ramifications of tration is leading America the wrong way. As a STORM STUNNER (O.S.S.) by Bush himself, not having the “right” one can be disastrous. Vietnam veteran, I understand the grisly nature will launch immediately with the deployment of While the theory (I use this term solely of war. Shooting at a natural storm won’t get us 13,000 troops to the eye of Hurricane Ivan. because no one would conduct a study with anywhere. What we need to do is evacuate the Once there, it is unclear as to how they will pro- the futile goal of proving otherwise) that soci- area, and offer immediate support and tax ceed. Still, the Bush Administration remains ety gives many advantages to attractive men breaks for those affected.” confident on the necessity of this operation. and women is not a new one, though the Kerry however, suddenly flip-flopped, “There is no question that if we do not scale and importance of having a presentable backing away from Bush’s plan when he came act quickly, these storms will strike again,” image has never been greater. under fire from a group called “Hurricane Donald Rumsfeld, the Secretary of Defense, The 1996 race between Clinton and Veterans for Truth.” The group, made up of trop- announced at a press conference early this Dole is a pristine example of how powerful the ical storm victims, accused Kerry of “chickening” morning. “All one has to do is flip on The issue of image is. Despite Time Magazine’s out of the 150 mph winds and dangerous flood- Weather Channel to see the severity of this 1996 exposés exploring the health of the Bob ing, running back to Boston where hurricanes enemy. Should we just sit around and let inno- Dole- including frightening images of the are rare. It could be argued that the group is cent lives be lost, let freedom be challenged? Senator walking in excruciatingly small exer- responsible for the Senator’s latest poll plunge. Not on my watch.” cise shorts, Dole could not contend with Bill. The debate in Washington carried The declaration of war is expected to The image of the handsome, always-a-win- through the rest of the country, where the gener- go before the Senate early Friday morning. ner, Clinton was too colossal to defeat. This al public remained equally divided. Over 43 While the administration remains confident on a same issue came up during last summer’s polls, including those from CNN, NPR, Gallup, successful vote, critics have begun voicing their escapades in the county’s most populous concerns. Continued on Page 6... Continued on Page 3... L e t t e r s t o t h e sibly coexist in such a diverse set- Purchase College is not a campus The Purchase E d i t o r ( s ) : ting if we don't all do our best to for those who want the traditional Independent appreciate our differences, rather route; you can go to SUNY Editor’s Note: Adam Weissman’s arti - than further segregate ourselves Binghamton or SUNY Albany if you cle in the last issue of The because of them? THAT is where desire such things. Purchase Independent entitled “Ancient Greeks our dignity lies. If we're to be con- College is for the kids on the fringes Chief Editors: Frown on SUNY Purchase” caused sidered outcasts from the rest of who want, need, and DESERVE to Bill Reese quite a stir. Many readers sent in the world- so be it. As long as we make their mark in their own ways, Steven Tartick their thoughts on the piece. maintain a community of compas- not through “Golf Pros and Tennis * * * sionate and thoughtful individuals Hos.” Business Manager: You guys really cleaned up. I for as long as we attend school Furthermore, your blatant appreciated the point-counterpoint here. attack on the transgender commu- Alice Gullotta letter on Greek life. I agree. Frat And if Mr. Weissman was nity is horrendous, referring to kids should've noticed this was an interested in relieving himself of his transwomen as “chicks with Adam’s Writers: artfag boner school before coming complete lack of knowledge and apples and penises.” It is not only Joel Ballezza here. What were they thinking? understanding of the offensive to me as a person who transgender/transsexual communi- loves the transgender and gender Anne Brady Best, ty (and other human beings in gen- variant people in her life, but also to Candace Comici Drew eral), I'm certain the GLBTU would- our entire school. If you cannot * * * n't be opposed to "schooling his deal with the fact that transgender Drew Dear Bill Reese, dumb ass" and letting him attend a people exist in this world as well as E.J. O’Leary I'd like to express my meeting or two. Toga optional. STUDY HERE, then you should not appreciation to you for your be here. Starr & Jade response to "Ancient Greeks Frown In Most Sincere Agreement, We are all fortunate Laura Raquel Strain on SUNY Purchase". I truly wish Danyell Thillet enough to go to a school that har- Steven Tartick (and hope) that Mr. W e i s s m a n ' s (a bi-racial, queer, vegetarian, arts- bors support and celebration for piece was done in ironic jest, but I major feminist) such wonderful groups as the Danyell Thillet shudder to think that per- queer community and the Artists: haps he was serious. There trans community. are so many things wrong Something tells me that if Bob Clark with his short "essay", I Latinos Unidos was as The Propagandist don't even know where to popular as GLBTU that start tearing it apart. I think you would not come Personal Jesus: you did a rather good job down on them quite as covering bases. harshly, if at all, for fear of Ray Roy And I'd like to reit- being considered “racist.” The Purchase Independent is a non- erate that besides the obvi- Well, your article shows profit newspaper, paid for by the that you are classist, mandatory student activity fee. ous ignorance of simplify- The Purchase ing and deconstructing homophobic, and trans- Independent welcomes letters from phobic (oh, transphobia the readers. We are an open forum ancient Greek culture to for campus issues and comments togas and bacchanals, he is defined as the fear, about the Independent’s coverage. hatred, and discrimina- The deadline for letters seems to have missed a to be considered for publication in more obvious flaw in the tion towards transgen- the following issue is Wednesday, dered people, sound 4:00pm. After that, you must beg. fraternity/sorority system. The editors reserve the The most major difference familiar?), and it is not right to edit the letters for clarity. between a frat and say, any okay. It is not better or Publication of letters is not guar- enteed, but subject to the discretion other organization at worse than racism, but it of of the editors. Purchase, is that everyone is just the same. It is Advertising space in The Independent is free. As space is is invited to the latter. Frats ignorance. limited, The Independent cannot and Sororities are notori- You asked guarentee immediate publication of many questions to your ads. Editors will determine which ous for their degrading (and ads go in based upon their timeli- often dangerous) hazing in order to * * * fellow students in your “article,” so ness. Outside advertisers are also now I would like to ask you some welcome. gain admittance and "friends". The Event listings are also reason I love this school so much is SUNY Frowns Upon Ancient Ideas questions: Are you sure you free of charge. To list an event either belong at Purchase College? Are call or e-mail The Independent. our openness to everyone. Yo u Our e-mail address is: don't have to humiliate yourself or I have had discussions you sure you should have pub- [email protected].