The Lion's Roar
Editorials
Propaganda at the Olympics?
By Admir Muzurovic
I have heard that the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City have been very entertaining and fun to watch. Yet, for the most part, I have decided not to follow them too closely. I have to admit that I am not a big fan of winter sports. Yet, a more important reason was that during these games, the U.S. pride and patriotism has gone too far.
During the opening ceremonies, the nation stood still watching a torn U.S. flag brought in, commemorating the victims and the heroes of the tragic September 11th incident. At the same time, during the ceremony, tribute was being paid to the U.S. �miracle on ice� victory over the Soviet Union during the Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid in 1980. Meanwhile, the theme of bringing the world together during this festival had been completely forgotten. The U.S. athletes stood above the rest, while the other athletes and their achievements were completely neglected. Maybe the games should be called the U.S. Winter Olympics.
I am not saying that the effects September 11th tragedy should be undermined. That was a truly devastating event. Yet, when does it become too much for a nation to continue embracing in the American spirit? Should there not be certain boundaries? The U.S. government seems to be completely manipulating the Winter Games to its advantage, utilizing it as a source of propaganda. Furthermore, why was it necessary to pay tribute to the U.S. Olympic hockey team and its victory over the USSR? The event had occurred 22 years ago, not only being an amazing Olympic event, but also a psychological victory for the U.S. during the Cold War. Now, it only further incites feelings of nationalistic pride for the American public.
Some journalists have already ranked these games as the third most propagandistic ones behind Hitler�s in 1936, and after the Summer Games at Los Angeles in 1984 where victories of the U.S. athletes were greatly magnified, as the Soviet Union had boycotted the games.
The Difference between the Faithful and the Fanatics
by Lewis Liu
In any given religion there are the faithful and the fanatics. The faithful are kind, coolheaded, moderate, peaceful. The fanatics are not. The faithful allow for healthy, even heated debate about exactly what their beliefs are. The fanatics allow no such thing, adhering to one narrow-minded, usually merciless (mis)interpretation of their religion. The faithful do not want the same people who run the church to run the government. The fanatics do. There are many faithful within Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; Buddhism and Hinduism; agnosticism and atheism. There are also many fanatics. September 11th was an act of fanatics. The healing process is left up to the faithful. Because while the fanatics are willing to die for what they believe in, the faithful are willing to live for it too.
Meetings Wednesday at 3:20 in room 111