Despite a close call, the baseball season is safe after players and owners finally settled baseball's latest power struggle last week. And that's a good thing, too. Another strike would have destroyed the integrity of a game already besieged with steroid scandals, budget problems, commissioner incompetence and the New York Yankees. One of the ... [Read More…]
Column Like I See ‘Em: Take me out to the bowl game
By Steve Holt, Opinion Editor Is anyone else sick of this Major League Baseball mess? I sure am. Baseball has lost all nostalgic value, and its rich history is the only factor that doesn't completely turn fans off from it. If you ask me, it's time for a new national pastime. One could say football is taking the front seat in American sports and ... [Read More…]
Encounter with Afghan changed perspectives
By Melanie J. Knox, Page Editor As I Wish He fidgeted nervously on the train seat. Several times, he stopped an attendant to make sure he was on the right train, pointing to a piece of paper with the name of his stop; he didn't speak the language. He was very thin, with dark eyes, hair and skin and had only a small suitcase with him. Three of ... [Read More…]
Column Like I See ‘Em: Missionary finally gains his reward
By Steve Holt, Opinion Editor A rough-looking man approaches an older man in Seattle, demanding his wallet. Seeing through to the man's heart and need for salvation, the older man said, "You don't need to be a thief. Let me give you my wallet." This was Stanley. While boarding an airplane, a drunk clumsily throws his overcoat into the overhead ... [Read More…]
Kidnappings this summer overhyped
Media coverage of this summer's rash of kidnappings has been both exaggerated and unnecessary. In a year where kidnappings are actually down by more than 4 percent, media coverage is up, so much so that one can hardly flip through cable channels without catching a "Breaking News" story on CNN or a "FOX News Alert" as they show another missing ... [Read More…]
Take instruction from older ACU students
By Joshua Parrott, Sports Writer Ah, to be a freshman. Thinking back on all of my experiences as a first-year college student, to say all I have gone through in my time at ACU has been full of tremendous joy would be a lie. A huge, nasty lie. Over the course of two-plus years I have changed my major once, struggled to find decent jobs, ... [Read More…]
Letter from the Editor: The Optimist still strong after 90 years
By Paul A. Anthony, Editor in Chief You hold an historic issue in your hands. Yes, the one that you are likely dipping into the ketchup on your plate right now-it is a historic issue of the Optimist. Ninety years ago this month, Arthur Slater founded Abilene Christian College's first college newspaper and named it the Optimist. The name hails ... [Read More…]
Column Like I See ‘Em: Much is done to welcome ACU newcomers
By Steve Holt, Opinion Editor Welcome Week was a lot better the second time around. As a leader, that is. Frankly, I was pretty intimidated by Welcome Week my freshman year. Maybe it was the mixers and activities that forced normally shy people to mingle and talk to the other newcomers. It could have been the fact that I only knew one person-my ... [Read More…]
Where have driving manners gone on campus?
Why are drivers in the ACU parking lots literally some of the rudest drivers I have ever come across? One would think that drivers on this Christian campus would be polite and respectful of the right of way of other drivers. April 25, my husband and I were driving in the slip road, which runs parallel to Campus Court and is in the parking lot ... [Read More…]
Recent Optimist dress code article one-sided
The article in the Optimist concerning student dress code violations sincerely disturbed me. The arguments used by the Nelson Dorm Director reminded me of the arguments used by the Taliban for forcing women to wear birkas. Unfortunately, lust is a problem faced by both men and women, a point not addressed by your article. The photos accompanying ... [Read More…]