Love is a battlefield

Dylan Tate
Staff Reporter

During President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, he made promises to change the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding homosexuality in the military. In 2007 Obama articulated the following, “At its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It’s about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect.” While Obama has been in office since January, he has failed to live up to his pledge to the chagrin of an estimated 12,500 soldiers who have been discharged since the laws inception for no reason other than sexual preference. In order to combat some of the negative press that he has received, Obama spoke to a group of 3,000 people attending the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a gay civil rights advocacy group, last Saturday, Oct. 10.
Before the details of the speech are divulged, a little light on the policy in question is needed. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” was enacted by Obama’s Democratic presidential predecessor, Bill Clinton, in 1994 and has been a controversial topic among gay rights activists and their opposition hence. The reason why gay rights supporters have found the policy so repugnant was that it forbade openly homosexual individuals to serve for their country. The opposition has stayed active on the issue since they do not want to see it changed from its current version. While the policy has been dubbed “don’t ask, don’t tell,” that moniker is misleading since the policy also prevents the person to act on their sexual urges even if it is consensual. This policy is atypical among the western world as only one member of the European Union (Greece) denies gays entrance into the military.
During his speech, Obama reiterated his support for the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” but did not offer any specifics to that effect. That could be interpreted as mere lip service to the gay community, who are major backers of the Democratic Party. In fact, Richard Socarides, a Clinton advisor on gay and lesbian issues, described the speech as thus, “a strong speech in tone, but only vaguely reassuring in content.” He later added, “The president and Nobel winner came and paid his respects, but tomorrow many will ask: What’s his plan, what’s his timetable?”
Other attendees responded more positively than did Socarides. The president of the HRC, Joe Solomonese, said, “We have never had a stronger ally in the White House. Never.” While Obama has spoken publicly in favor of gay rights his actions have been lacking. Obama is a brilliant orator who has made many bold statements on the record, which as to this paper’s printing, have remained unfulfilled. His rhetoric needs to materialize or his support system among the gay community will erode.
In fact, on Sunday Oct. 11, at least over 10,000 gay rights supporters marched on Washington D.C. in an attempt to pressure the president to act more quickly on his campaign promise. Julian Bond, the chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was the keynote speaker. During his speech he linked the Civil Rights struggle to the fight for equality which homosexuals are engaged in currently. Only time will tell how this issue will be resolved but at this pace, it might be done sooner than most would think.

Current Photo Edward Fernandez

Students explore the possibilities of studying abroad

John LeMasurier
Staff Reporter

Where will you go? Study Abroad Coordinator Erik Kulke asked this question in his e-mail regarding Carthage’s first ever Study Abroad Fair. In the last few years, Carthage students have studied or had internships in Argentina, Australia, Austria, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Wales and more.
Before deciding where, first ask yourself, why? How can a student benefit by studying abroad? According to Kulke, “The benefits vary from student to student, from experience to experience, but the themes that commonly appear when I’m chatting with students who have returned from their semester or year abroad include renewed or enhanced self-confidence, a stronger sense of independence, improved language proficiency, [and] a better [understanding] of oneself and one’s limits.”
Held last Thursday, Oct. 8 during the afternoon in the Todd Wehr Center, students were given the opportunity to learn more about the prospects of an overseas education.
The setup for the event was similar to that of the Organization Fair. Tables were spread all around the Jockey Room with each table represented by a different school or company offering various opportunities for foreign study. Like the Organization Fair, students could go to any table, engage a representative in conversation, and learn about what they have to offer. And just like the Organizaton Fair, you do not leave empty handed; instead of pens and Ramen Noodles you will be leaving with informational pamphlets and booklets.
I was very pleased at how each representative was talkative and eager to share information about their opportunities. Those that I spoke to demonstrated great knowledge in their presentations
ABROAD

tions without relying solely on pamphlets and booklets to do the talking for them. There were representatives from the Univac Language Center, The Institute for Study Abroad at Butler University, Marquette University, Arcadia University and more. The cookies and beverages were also a nice touch.
It was disappointing, though, to notice that the turnout was significantly less than that of the Organization Fair. Arriving an hour after it began, I saw that there were only a few students there aside from myself. This was probably due to people having 9:50 a.m. classes so I decided to check on the event an hour later. There were more people, but there was still plenty of empty space in the Jockey Room.
For those who think that they cannot study abroad because they do not speak another language or study a particular major, they need not worry. You do not need to speak another language to study abroad, and there are programs applicable for every major or minor.
Kulke gave his own thoughts on the event. “Overall, I think the turnout was pretty good for a first-time event. Hopefully this will get people talking and thinking about study abroad as an integral part of their college experience (again, regardless of major), and, in future years, (as I hope this will now be an annual event) we [will] get even better attendance at the fair.”