Staff writer's assumptions about SVSU students inaccurate

submitted by Katie Breitenborn

October 1, 2007 —

To Patrick O'Hara:

A comedian is just that - a comedian. The shows that broadcast Americans answering political questions in a moronic way are doing so for amusement, however pathetic the ignorance may be. What I would ask is whether or not these programs are edited. If that is the case, then there is a definite problem with your argument.

To relate SVSU students to the people on such television shows is a bit idiotic. Did we not as children say the Pledge of Allegiance? Do students at SVSU not know who the current Vice President is? Is it really relevant to relate the political ignorance on a television show with SVSU students?

As far as fashion is concerned, Europeans are much more fashionable than most Americans and yet are still more politically aware than those in the United States. Students in Europe are always aware of their appearance (even if that appearance is different) while attending school than Americans. Students do not wear sweatshirts, pajamas, and so forth. I think you are looking at the wrong reasons for the lack of political knowledge in the United States.

Another point that I would like to bring up is that those who do watch American news and read American newspapers are subject to media bias. I would question what the knowledge of those who are not ignorant (in your sense) really means when considering this bias? The last report I saw a year ago ranked the United States in the 20s when considering freedom of press. Germany on the other hand was ranked in the top 5.

Also, how do people hear about Paris Hilton? I would argue the news. Britney Spears also had a lot of media coverage - it is ridiculous that they are talking about it. Some argue that no one will watch the news if such things aren't covered, but if no one covered it there wouldn't be a problem. It wasn't just the tabloids that covered it, and that is what is so troubling.

Katie Breitenborn International Studies senior