By Mitch Holt, Opinion Editor Don't Believe the Hype During my two years at this university, I've sat through many a Chapel in which I was either sleeping, doing homework or unhappy with what was being said. Many students, myself included, have often seen Chapel as a time simply to see friends that they don't see regularly or to catch up on ... [Read More…]
New dorm, new students–old safety issues
The start of the school year brings construction and the use of the new Barret Residence Hall on Campus Court, a street that is now more dangerous for students to cross than it has ever been and where parking spaces are scarce. Because of the lack of crosswalks, students crossing Campus Court to and from Barret Hall and those driving the street ... [Read More…]
Column Like I See ‘Em: Summer winners, summer losers
By Steve Holt, Opinion Editor For those of you who've had your heads in the sand, this has been a news-filled summer. With lots of news come lots of winners and losers. In no particular order, here are several of them, along with several draws. Winners The Space Shuttle Discovery launched and returned without a hitch just two years after ... [Read More…]
Theatre Department delivers act of peace
The Theatre Department lost four months of preparation time two weeks ago when controversy caused it to change its Homecoming Musical from Aida to Seussical. The decision came after members of the community expressed concern that a lead role, a Nubian princess, was given to a white actress. Adam Hester, associate professor of theatre, said he ... [Read More…]
Optimist staff will be honest and fair
By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief Sometimes I think the people who say nothing happens in Abilene don't live in the same city I've called home for three years. In the past 10 months alone, we've had West Texas native Bill Burkett faxing forged documents about President Bush's National Guard service from an Abilene Kinko's, and former student and ... [Read More…]
Lori’s Story: Life lessons learned with the ‘Optimist’
By Lori Bredemeyer, Managing Editor "Hello there! Don't forget to sign up for Life in Hell today!" It's amazing how true and untrue this statement has proven this year. It's printed on a sticker promoting a comic strip called "Life in Hell" that's been taped to my computer since August, and I've seen it each day that I've worked at my desk. My ... [Read More…]
‘Optimist’ knows its place: reporting the news
By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief As a news reporter, I have always maintained that my job should be about relaying pertinent news to the readers, not becoming part of the news. Then Monday, this line appeared in a letter posted on a political blog, the Daily Kos: "I have just received a phone call from a Christian newspaper reporter." I was ... [Read More…]
Life should be lived in faith, not fear
By Mitch Holt, Special Contributor Don't Believe the Hype Does the date June 11, 2001, stand out in your mind? It probably doesn't. What about the name Timothy McVeigh? Now we're talking, right? McVeigh was executed on this date for the bombing of the Alfred Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. His accomplice, Terry Nichols, is currently ... [Read More…]
Freedom and justice for all
... with liberty and justice for all. The last line of our Pledge of Allegiance demonstrates two elements of freedom that Americans value and that this nation's founding fathers, supporters of the antislavery and suffrage movements and many others have fought and died to obtain. Others are fighting and dying around the world, some in an attempt ... [Read More…]
Handy books could help students cope
By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief This just in: Fundraising, in all its forms and uses, forevermore will be only one word. No more hyphens. No more splitting it into two words. Just fundraising. This is according to the 2005 edition of the Associated Press Stylebook released just one week ago. Journalists everywhere wait for each year's ... [Read More…]
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