No doubt about it: It's been a couple of very big weeks for THON.
Peter Trippett is not crazy. When I asked him about the perception of groups like the 9-12 Project or the Tea Party protesters, he laughed a perfectly sane laugh and asked, "Do I seem crazy?"
"State Patty's Day" is nothing but a joke from my perspective as an Irish Catholic. The saint's actual feast day upholds a meaning that is not only important to men and women of faith, but it also pays tribute to the life of a great man who was not afraid to live out God's will. Obviously, the 17th of March is a day to celebrate Irish heritage with friends and family -- the problem is that Happy Valley fails miserably in doing so.
As THON approaches, I have started to think about community service and helping the less fortunate. As a political science major, I learn about the struggles and hardships of the world. I have recently suggested my house for a place that my brothers and I can go on for our canning weekend. It became my responsibility to contact and organize the locations to help raise money.
This letter is in response to the Feb. 4 article, "Panel clears three claims." If this had been a scandal involving claims that an Exxon Mobil scientist had falsified and manipulated information, and Exxon had "investigated" and "exonerated" him, would we take that at face value? Of course not. We don't blindly accept the results of self "investigations" by corporations or government agencies that "exonerate" themselves or their personnel in other areas -- why should we do so here?
THON raises money with the help of people who donate to the cause out of their own will, and that requires awareness of THON's mission. The more people that know about the cause, the more money it will raise, and subsequently, the more effectively THON achieves its goals.
I've tried to embrace it, but I'm convinced: eBooks will spell out the downfall of our society.
First the "Highlands Loop," and now a downtown office. Really? The new University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) office is located on Beaver Avenue in the heart of downtown, and according to the Collegian, Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Colleen Smith "hopes to have UPUA off-campus representatives on duty at least one, if not two hours a day." Of course, who pays for this? The students do. And only one or two hours a day? That's it? What a waste of funds.
In response to the Feb. 3 article, "Students tweet at Ellen DeGeneres," asking Ellen for her support at THON is a great idea. Not only am I a huge fan -- I think she's hilarious -- but her status would bring so much more awareness about the event than we could imagine possible. I've been writing to her through her Web site since September because I think she'd be an awesome candidate as a THON dancer.
As the promotions director of The LION 90.7 FM and a sincere advocate of local music, I am absolutely appalled at what Brian Walker said about British Phil in the Feb. 4 article, "Heritage Hall benefit concert will aid THON." I have not only met British Phil, but I have also had the extreme pleasure of interviewing them. The members of the band are not only very nice and genuine people, but they are beyond talented. They are motivated to not only spread their music around State College but have even taken it upon themselves to help promote local music through the group PSU Original Music, which seeks out local original music and promotes it around the community.
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