Art can be more than meets the eye (or ear)

I searched and searched for something in Brian Kutzley’s article that didn’t cry wolf about “liberal bias” in media, and I couldn’t find it.

Kutzley is trying to say intellectual art can’t be a legitimate form of political expression, which I am dumbfounded by. It seems strange that one could complain about politics in music, and not mention the mindless ramblings of Ted Nugent. I really hate to call extreme conservative bias on this one, but I really have no choice.

The books, movies and music Kutzley uses in his argument have long been characterized as “liberal” or “anti-establishment,” and I find this selection far too narrow and specific to be coincidental. I understand what the author is saying, but I completely disagree.

I find hypocrisy in his call for fair and balanced (no pun intended) political expression. Why isn’t political outrage valid because it comes in the form of art? Also, why isn’t this true for conservative media?

We should never assume a person is uneducated simply because of the medium he or she uses to express themselves. As far as Bad Religion goes, a little research would have revealed that the band has absolutely nothing to do with anarchy.

Greg Graffin, the band’s vocalist and co-songwriter, has a doctorate degree in anthropology and is a professor at UCLA. I think this makes him much more qualified to make political statements in his art than Uncle Ted, who said that he was “too busy learning” to pursue a college education.

– Chris Gross

Senior, Computer Science

Football’s win gives yet another reason to watch

It’s amazing just how far one football game can go to spark talk about our football team once again on campus.

But, for at least Saturday of this year, true Bowling Green football fans had something to cheer about for weeks to come: a win against a Big Ten opponent. It is understandable to me how many students do not embrace the BGSU football team. Many have grown up rooting for Ohio State, Michigan and other large schools around the area.

However, the choice was made by these students to come to this wonderful institution to not only get an education, but to also support and encourage those who provide BGSU national notoriety through athletics.

From 2001 to 2003, BG football enjoyed some of the best success a Mid-American Conference team has had in the history of its existence. With wins over Big Ten schools like Northwestern (twice) and Purdue, Big 12 schools such as Missouri (twice) and Kansas, for once little ol’ Bowling Green became a fixture in the college football world.

A national ranking, a MAC Championship Game appearance and a bowl win solidified just how far BG football had come. Fast forward to 2007, and we find ourselves in the same position. Our football program has just come off the biggest win it has had in four years and quickly instilled optimism and hope for future things to come this year.

The spread offense has provided extra excitement into game, and exceptional athletes have shown they can play with the big boys. So, to my fellow students this football season, I urge you to turn your eyes away from Columbus, Ann Arbor and South Bend and focus on a football team that plays in our own backyard. I think you’ll find it to be just as exciting as any BCS football game. It’ll prove to you that little ol’ Bowling Green can, and always will, compete with bigger-named teams.

– Jeremy Pelleck

Junior, Environmental Policy