Dear Editors,
I find it interesting that the Student Government Association is crying foul at the use of [Jacob] Korff’s title in the police blotter.
The reasons they state that his title should be omitted is, at best, ridiculous.
Regardless of what time or when it happened, Korff must understand that he represents not only this university, but the Student Government at all times.
I, as well as all voting students, have the right to know when one of my elected officials violated the law. This young man decided to engage in a dangerous activity that I find irresponsible and should be grounds for removal from office.
Driving while intoxicated is a serious matter and should be dealt with accordingly.
He not only put his and his passengers’ well-being at risk, but others also.
The crime was not The Horizon’s use of his title, but the fact that he was intoxicated and driving, period. All I can comment is welcome to the real world Korff and to Politics 101.
Any outside person of office would have faced far worse treatment than he received from this paper.
Next time, use wisdom and get a designated driver for the night. Had you done that, there would never been an issue.
While I personally do not like the blotter, it is a fact of life. If you wish not to see your name in the paper, keep your nose clean.
Jesse R. Hall
senior
general studies
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Dear Editors,
I was going to pen a lengthy letter in defense of The Horizon’s decision to publish Jacob Korff’s title alongside his offense. But Zach Hester beat me to the punch with his compelling op-ed in the same issue.
It should be intuitive that our governmental leaders are held to higher standards — from Congress to the SGA. The more troubling thing is that Korff’s reflex is defensive rather than humility, an apology and repentance.
We should expect more of each other and especially ourselves. But those who lead have a higher calling and greater responsibilities.
D. Eric Schansberg
professor of economics
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Dear Editors,
I think that the obvious attempt by SGA at shutting up The Horizon’s reporting on the Police Blotter is pretty stupid. I have several reasons for this.
Jacob Korff, the individual whose name was in the paper and whose reputation has been smeared by his own actions, was drunk and driving. He was over the legal limit or didn’t pass whatever test the police put him through.
A DUI is a serious public endangerment and the public should know who is this careless and irresponsible that they would be driving while impaired. How is it a bad thing to call a criminal a criminal?
And make no mistake—DUI’s are extremely serious and deadly. According to alcoholalert.com, 39 percent of traffic fatalities in 2004 were alcohol related.
If The Horizon hadn’t reported on it, SGA would be thinking, “Ho hum, another DUI, I wonder who that was?”
Shouldn’t SGA, the fraternity he’s a member of, and the other clubs he’s a part of be able to evaluate who their leadership on campus is? Without The Horizon, the student body wouldn’t be able to sit back and say, “Do I want this guy to represent me?”
Why is it OK for people to associate his drunkenness with being in the fraternity per his quote in The Horizon, but not with SGA?
What the hell? Why is it OK for a member of a fraternity to get drunk but not the SGA vice president?
Seriously, I could mention stereotypes right now, but everyone reading this knows exactly why it’s OK to mention his fraternity and not his SGA status.
SGA is supposed to be a political model, hence why there are senators, etc. And any real politician anywhere can tell you that when they screw up, it’s always in the paper, complete with their name, job title, party affiliation, etc. Just ask Ted Stevens, Larry Craig or Ted Kennedy.
The Horizon is supposed to be training tomorrow’s journalists to report on a variety of topics, it’s supposed to be a model of a real paper where a reporter would be expected to report on this issue.
Don’t fault The Horizon for doing exactly what it is supposed to do.
I used to be an insurance agent and until you see how screwed up people’s lives can become as the result of a drunk driver, you have no idea how much this issue affects people just like you and me. Also, ironic this happened during Oksoberfest.
Tamara Davis
political science
senior
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Editors’ note:These were all the letters we recieved at press time. If anyone has a different opinion, feel free to write in at horizon@ius.edu or iushorizon.wordpress.com.