On the Edge


Arizona Daily Wildcat
Monday, November 29, 2004

The best in last week's editorials from college campuses around the nation

Athletes and fans are out of control

Anyone who has watched sports or sports highlights over the past week (especially this weekend) can see that college and professional athletes and their fans have seriously gotten out of control.

Here is a recap. Police are pressing charges against a Nebraska football player after an altercation with a Ruf/Nek on Nov. 13. At the end of this game, oranges were thrown at Nebraska players and coaches.

During the Pistons-Pacers game Nov. 19, a fight broke out on the court and then spread to the stands, causing fights between fans and players.

During the Clemson-South Carolina game Nov. 20, a brawl broke out that spread all over the field and ended up involving several players from both teams.

These are just a few instances that have occurred lately that have resulted in violent or inappropriate athlete or fan behavior. It is clear that athletes and fans have gotten out of control.

We need to return to sportsmanship where we respect our opponents and support our teams without trashing the other team and starting fights. Class should return to sports again. We need to see fans shaking hands and congratulating each other instead of starting brawls.

- From the University of Oklahoma's Oklahoma Daily

Presidency should be open to all citizens

When the Constitution was written, the framers worried a European monarch could be installed at the head of the former British colonies, so the language specifically limited the presidency to "natural born" citizens.

Inspired by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Silicon Valley-based group launched a cable television ad campaign to push for a constitutional amendment to allow for naturalized citizens to serve as president. The group's goal is one day to elevate the Austrian-born former bodybuilder and Republican governor to the Oval Office. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a rising Democratic star and Canadian-born American, also is barred from the presidency.

A candidate's birthplace should not determine eligibility. His or her experience - political and otherwise - will determine whether he or she effectively can serve as the nation's leader.

Amending the Constitution to loosen the restrictions surrounding the presidency is a wise decision, but it should be considered carefully and not be based on a handful of foreign-born presidential hopefuls.

-From the University of Florida's Independent Florida Alligator

Video game exploits death of past president

In light of concerns about video game violence, the release of a controversial new game isn't helping the issue.

Very different from the games that are usually released each week, "JFK Reloaded" was released Monday. The game allows players to shoot President John F. Kennedy and re-enact his death.

The game's release coincides with the 41st anniversary of Kennedy's assassination. Players shoot JFK, and points are given based on how closely their shots match the official version of events as documented by the Warren Commission, which investigated Kennedy's assassination.

Though violence and shootings have become standard issue in video games, recreating an actual historical event is going too far. Kennedy is a well-known figure that all American children learn about, and many Americans can even remember exactly where they were when they heard the news of his assassination. To have his murder exploited is completely unacceptable.

Most video games are fantasy-based, with players shooting aliens or other imaginary beings. Killing people - actual people - is something entirely different.

This game and future games like it should be banned - it's just a little too close to reality for comfort.

-From Northern Illinois University's Northern Star