Here’s the thing about opinions – we all have ’em. What’s more, we like to air them to our compatriots who may or may not be especially pleased at our particular view of the issues at hand. We have built an entire political system based on opinions, hopefully tempered with morality and ethics, although the latter often seem to be an afterthought. Newspapers have made it their business to offer a forum outside of the political system for the common individual to express their feelings on the issues that affect their community and the world.
The opinion section of the Portland State Vanguard has been many things – controversial, trying, humorous, irreverent, intelligent and, at times, perhaps a bit too ambitious. In this new year, I have been charged to take the reigns of this wily beast. I will say up-front that I am looking forward to the task.
It is my hope that in the next two terms I will be able to help create an opinion section that addresses the issues of our readership, the over 25,000 students of Portland State University. I must admit that this task seems fairly daunting when considering the diversity of this campus. However, I rest in the knowledge that we are bound by a common thread, our desire to educate ourselves about the world.
I intend to make a few changes, some large and some minor. The larger changes address the need for this section to more accurately reflect the student body. I intend to focus much of the opinion page on issues related to PSU, higher education in general and the students and faculty of Oregon’s largest university.
It is my hope that over the next two terms I will come to understand the individuals who make this university the place that it is, by building a relationship with the readers of this newspaper. In turn, I hope that you, the reader, will make help make this section your forum, your sounding board and your place to speak.
I am excited about what is to come and I am thankful also for what has come before. If you have an idea for an issue you would like to see addressed, e-mail me at opinion@dailyvanguard.com. Feedback is also welcome and appreciated. In addition, I’d like to remind people of the talkback feature at our web site – www.dailyvanguard.com.
Here’s to a new year and a new Vanguard opinion section.