Academic Freedom or Temple of Conformity?

DAVID HOROWITZ, the former liberal crusader who became a conservative activist, spoke at Temple last week.

"The courses at Temple are devoted to indoctrinating (its students)," he said, according to the Temple News.

Specifically, he was referring to professors preaching liberal values rather than trying to teach students to think for themselves.

How do you feel about your Temple education? Are you getting a well-rounded education or do you feel like the profs have an agenda?

Please be honest, and write comments using your name. All opinions are welcome as long as you support your arguments.

Cops Gone Wild? Journalists Who Won't Listen?

WATCH THE ABOVE VIDEO by clicking here. Was the police officer acting properly in detaining the reporter? Or did the officer overreact? What is the best way to handle such a situation?

"I Hope You Get Short Bowel Syndrome."

EVERY SEMESTER, 34th Street magazine, a student publication at the University of Pennsylvania, runs an issue where students get to slam each other anonymously in a section called "Shoutouts."

To my roommate: We all know your secret. Leaving Smokes early to call phone sex hotlines is not a substitute for the real thing.

And that, to say the least, is a tame Shoutout. Other shoutouts deal with sexual encounters, annoying classmates, random stalking, Greek life, religion, nerds and a lot more hooking up stuff. And they can get awfully mean.

To the annoying Wharton girl in my Tuesday Nutrition class: You fu**ing suck. Stop asking questions. I hope you get short bowel syndrome. Yeah, diarrhea for the rest of your life. Your friend sucks too.

Apparently, when this issue hits the streets, it's hugely popular. And the mag prints extra copies, even sells a lot of extra advertising. The next issue is due out this week.

Is it journalism? Is it selling out? Is it providing a service to readers? Or is it just plain mean (and mean fun)?

Newspaper Calls Bull**it, Denies Coverage.

THE FOLKS AT THE Red Bluff Round Up rodeo in California weren't happy with the press coverage they received at their 2008 event. That year, a bull jumped into the stands and injured six spectators, including three children.

So this year, the rodeo organizers told the media that they would be escorted by rodeo officials to ensure "proper coverage." In the case of an emergency, the media would be escorted away to a designated area.

The journalists at the local paper, the Record Searchlight, didn't like the idea of being managed by public relations people. So they declined to cover the event.

They cited the principles of journalism as their support:

The reason we declined the press credentials is that one of the four basic ethical principles for journalists is to act independently. It's our job to bring you the news based on our best judgment, not to willingly submit to being "managed."

Should the newspaper have declined to cover the event? Did the PR people have the right to "manage" the media? Is the newspaper overreacting? Are they letting down their readers by not covering the event?

What if it was the Eagles or Phillies trying to control coverage? What would you do if they tried to control the message? Then could you ignore the game?

"You have to be nuts to be in this business."

WHAT DID YOU think of today's guest, filmmaker Tigre Hill?

Here are a few things that stood out to me:

- He approached the two campaign staffs before following the mayoral candidates in 2003. The Sam Katz team allowed coverage. The John Street team never responded.
- Tigre's goal was to become such a regular part of the scene that he was invisible with his camera.
- A television journalist was removed from covering the mayoral race after he badgered John Street during a press conference.
- Tigre was labeled a "conservative filmmaker" after his film was released.
- He relies upon facts, and doesn't start off the process with an established agenda.
- Once he's done gathering, he forms an opinion.
- He wants to have coffee with John Street.
- He said that while at Temple as a student, he was always thinking about what would be next, rather than appreciating the moment.
- His next film, The Barrel of a Gun, about convicted cop killer Mumia Abu Jamal, will be released in the fall.

What stood out for you?

A Photojournalist "Who Changed History."

APPRECIATE THE POWER and influence of the journalist, specifically photojournalists.

Sex & Sports: Is "Co-Ed = Mo' Head" acceptable?

AN INTRAMURAL, CO-ED softball team at Temple is named "Co-Ed = Mo' Head."

Temple News columnist Leah Mafrica took issue with the name, and wrote about it in this week's issue of the paper:

Contrary to what some may think, this is not as innocent as some might claim. This type of language is both sexist and immature, particularly when demonstrated at a function that serves to blend men and women as equals in relation to sports, a goal that has been hard to accomplish.

To wear a shirt that disrespects women at a sports function also disrespects the sport and undermines what universities attempt to accomplish by providing co-recreational sports. That is, to think of men and women as athletically equal.

Is this a free speech issue? Or is it offensive for the team to have such a name? Should the university take action, and force a name change? Or should everyone chill?