Smacks to professors who hold classes the day before Thanksgiving. Sure, today is “formally” a school day, according to established “schedules” sitting in Johnson and Oregon halls, but there’s no real need to have a quiz today, is there? Is there?
Quacks to the football team for quashing the feeble Beavers’ attempt at a Civil War win. The Ducks’ 34-20 blast over their Corvallis counterparts was deftly executed, and capped off a rollercoaster-ride season that has left Oregon bowl-bound.
Smacks to naysayers who complained that the new on-campus cell phone tower might pose a threat to flying wildlife. If birds can dodge buildings, they can certainly fly around an inches-thick pole. Making lame, last-ditch arguments doesn’t further your point, regardless of the merits of installing a cell phone tower.
Quacks to the snow last Wednesday. A wintry break from the monotony of rain and end-of-the-term stress is just what the meteorological doctor ordered. Quacks, too, to the smiles that the precipitation prompted.
Smacks to Michael Jackson. The walking one-man circus — large animals and all — has been arrested on charges of child molestation (he settled a civil suit related to a similar case a decade ago). Jackson has already set up a Web site to act as a “source of official communications,” and his hijinks have only worsened already mushrooming media attention on the case.
Quacks to the Federal Communications Commission for requiring that most mobile phone numbers be more, well, mobile. Now, most of the cell-connected throngs will be able to keep their phone numbers if and when they switch carriers. The change lightens the burden of inconvenience not only for cell phone users but for anyone who calls them, too.
Smacks to the Civil War attendee who found the time to dress as the embattled Jackson. Despite whatever limited shock value parading around as the pop star may have (and whatever desperate clawing for attention it may satisfy), it really only serves to distract genuine fans from an otherwise enjoyable event.
Quacks to those who are donating part of their four-day weekend working to serve Thanksgiving meals to the needy. A few community servants are doing their best to bring something close to the less fortunate members of our community.
Smacks to the Bush administration for opening Alaska to oil drilling. While the administration has allocated large amounts of funding to alternative energy source research, the potential for environmental damage — and the small potential gains in fuel supply — make this trade not one worth making.
Quacks to the Knight Library for being open around-the-clock next week. Administrators heard students’ voices last year, and they’re responding in perfect synch.
Smacks to the Oregon State football team, some of whose members failed to show as scheduled for the “Put the Civil Back in Civil War” event at Edison Elementary. Ducks (and the Duck himself) went to Adams Elementary in Corvallis. What gives?
Quacks to the re-released Beatles album “Let It Be … Naked.” While the new album won’t ever supersede the original in importance (nor would it be reasonable to expect it to), it’s a welcome way to re-experience some of the Fab Four’s later work in a different light.
Smacks to ASUO for effectively faltering on its promise to notify students of the imminent tuition hike. Waiting until after students register for winter classes doesn’t help them plan their finances for the term any better, even if the actual increase itself is small.
And finally, big quacks to the life of Professor Emeritus Bill Loy. Not only was Loy a highly accomplished instructor and cartographer, he was also a caring and respected person who worked to improve the campus and Eugene communities.