Your Turn: Klatt's opinions 'unfounded,' 'ludicrous'
May 12, 2009It seems that my gracious appraisal of the worth of Will Klatt's views and letters, in regard to their effects on the quality of The Post, may have struck a nerve with a reader. In Monday's edition of The Post Tiana McKenna criticized me for the lack of substance in my waste of ink and paper letter to the editor with her own waste of ink and paper. It is interesting that Ms. McKenna thinks my letter was so off-base and unintelligent in light of the overtly positive response I have received about said letter around campus. With that in mind, let me put aside sarcasm and be straightforward so that I may appease Tiana's desire for a little more substance. The letter I wrote was intended not only to thank Will Klatt for the entertainment he has provided me (which is not sarcastic, his letters really have been quite funny), but also to point out how overtly ridiculous his views on Student Senate and university matters are. His equivocation of the current situation at this university to a class struggle and brewing rebellion is unfounded and over the top. This is not just my opinion, but also the opinion of most of the students I have spoken to about this issue who are aware of who Will Klatt is and what the ideals of his student union are. The fact of the matter is that MOST Ohio University students do not care about Will Klatt or his student union and would rather use reason when considering university issues. These are tough times and the administration has to make tough decisions. Will all those decisions be the right ones? No. Will I, or other students, always be happy about the decisions that are made? No. Is there a mass conspiracy to quell student speech and turn the university into a factory of slave workers? OF COURSE NOT! Like I said Friday, these notions are ludicrous. I did not write my letter only to write off an opinion I don't agree with. I wrote that letter after carefully considering an opinion for many months, talking about it with others who were interested in the debate, and deciding that (while very entertaining) that opinion was baseless and backward. I do not wish to discourage substantive conversation about the issues facing our university. I hope that my letter and this response serve to accomplish the opposite - maybe they will spark some interest in these issues among the student body. I am in total agreement with Will Klatt that a better turnout in the Student Senate elections would be beneficial to the university and to the student body's needs. So let me conclude by saying that I think everyone should vote in the Student Senate elections and make your voice be heard, no matter what your opinion may be. I can say that without hesitation because I have faith in the students of this university, and I know the voice of reason will prevail.
