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The Burning QuestionWere do we draw the line between safety and insanity? Between quiet obedience and sacrifice of dignity? When does it become wrong to leave it at "whatever you say?" No cartoons?Student ContributorIt has been brought several times to the attention of the administration that the blocking of Cartoon Network is something to which we the students object. I would like to continue to emphasize this point, adding a few new thoughts. Professor Gleason said to us at the assembly that there were shows on Cartoon Network that showed a "parental guidance" warning. Looking at the Cartoon Network schedule on their webpage, the only show during the day that could conceivably have a warning would be Batman, or maybe Beetlejuice. Other shows that I have not watched, shows that might have warnings, air from 1 am to 5:30 am, times when we are not even allowed to watch TV! In any case, the warnings are aimed at children under a certain age, usually thirteen. We are not thirteen. We have been chosen out of the students of Oklahoma as the best and brightest. And, I would think, the most mature. Our viewing should be censored based on this assumption, not on the assumption that we are all impressionable five-year olds who are going to murder someone based on the actions of Wile E. Coyote. If the administration expects us to handle the work put before us, and indeed excel at it, the administration should also realize that we need something in return: respect, and an acknowledgement of our maturity. Rant #4 [Reprint]Professor Jack Gleason, Dean of StudentsEditor's Note: OSSM Underground serves as a communication resource for the entire OSSM community, not just the student body. This rant is reprinted, unedited, and in it's entirety, for the sake of understanding the letters to follow. As you may recall there was some discussion about the selection criteria for Parental Controls on cable in the assembly the other day. First, my apologies about placing the learning channel on the 'banned list". This was simply a keystroke error that has been corrected. Now on to Nickelodeon. Last light I decided to watch the channel and to browse through the TV guide to see what the offerings on this channel are. I tuned in for I Love Lucy, and I noticed from the TV guide that this channel seemed pretty harmless (the teletubbies controversy not withstanding). So this morning I spoke with my consultant on appropriate TV for adolescents. I learned that there are a multitude of old TV sitcoms on this channel that generally portray women in roles from which formative minds might conclude that women are not to be taken seriously, are subservient, are generally not in powerful positions or "high level" professions. So I am inclined to continue blocking Nickelodeon. I am willing, however, to entertain other views on this topic. Re: Rant 4Comments for those of you who might not have seen it before...By John IceNickelodeon primarily runs until about 7:00 p.m. At that time Nickelodeon ends and Nick at Nite begins. Seeing that required study time begins at 8:00 p.m. and also that we hardly ever turn on the television after this period, how much damage could one hour of Nick at Nite do to us? You could say that the students of this school would become corrupted, chauvinistic members of society. That would show how highly you think of us as leaders in society and critical thinkers. After living this much of our lives, for many of us a quarter of our lives, we have learned to question the views of society and find that they either agree or disagree with our moral views. It is obvious to me that women are not subservient and do have the capacity to serve as leaders in our society. My peers and I are not "zombies," accepting of any views presented before us. Another idea to ponder: some could argue that the family portrayed in the sitcoms found in Nick at Nite are more moral and better examples of the way we as a society should raise and maintain a family. Do you likewise want us not to be exposed to these positive ideas? The truth is, any show on television is going to have some views with which we do not agree. Perhaps we should block all the channels since they might impose ideas upon us. I think we are much wiser than that. Give Nickelodeon back. By Mina CopleyIf all of you great, intelligent, wonderful men would condescend to listen to my humble opinion for a moment...oh wait a minute...I am talking to all of the students. Hmmm....well, women don't matter anyway so what does it matter. At least, that is what I have been taught by years of watching I Love Lucy, Dragnet, Get Smart (my favorite TV), Taxi, and The Wonder Years. I bet you all wondered why I am so subservient to men, huh? Well, that is why. I want you all to know that I support Prof. Gleason's desire to save you from this horrible fate. (if you took this seriously, please read the message again until you have fixed the problem) By Aaron WeberI don't understand what in the world you are trying to say. Too much ranting I think, maybe too much coffee. I'm not sure how much the school pays for our cable, but it seems to me we could use the money for something else. I have gotten lost in your rants. You seem to think that we are immature, idiotic, and childlike, but we can't watch Nickelodeon. Good Lord. Obviously we are wasting money on this cable that we cannot watch. Everything is parentally controlled. I say we forget about cable and use the money to fund juice and cookie breaks in the afternoon before we take our naps like the pre-schoolers we must be. And your Consultant. I hope you are not spending money on him too. He seems to be taking things a little too far. Everything is offensive to someone. Get over it. There are too many different people with different backgrounds and views to ever agree on what is offensive or not. Maybe we should go for all or nothing and let our own beliefs make the decision. By the way, how do you attain a degree in TV consulting? It sounds like it might be an easy way to make a buck or too. Innovation... It's a wonderful thingThe Parent formerly known as Zorro whose name is now unspeakableI think it is high time that the tax payers of Oklahoma got some bang for their bucks from this OSSM joint. You don't need no gol durnned opaque dome to cover that place. Just invent one of them force field thingies like they have in Star Wars. That will keep out that Three Story Man, and Bigfoot, and the Easter Bunny, and Smiling Jack Gleason's kind, compassionate alter ego! PS: If you lock up the basement for two weeks over a broken table, what's next? Maybe a full-security lock down? I'm sure the Department of Corrections could help with that. They are used to dealing with people like you. More Scandalous Material SightedIt has come to my attention that somehow, in the frenzy to censor television stations from the eyes, ears, and minds of OSSM students, that one network in particular has escaped the attention of our most conservative Dean of Students. OSSM-TV is a station that airs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 36 weeks a year. Viewers who tune in to this station might witness: critical thought and free thinking detrimental to the very fabric of the delicate society in which we live, (Reference: The Giver, Lois Lowry), students with blinds open after dark, a most offensive and revolting act, and acts of PDA. (Snow Falling on Cedars, David Guterson). This station should be blocked immediately, for the good of the entire OSSM community.
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