Commentaries

The latest commentary for the Herald that I have done has to do with Sept. 11, 2001. http://wkuherald.com/opinion/article_897c0b28-da7d-11e0-87af-0019bb30f31a.html

“Let Me Eat Peacefully” at:  http://wkuherald.com/opinion/article_4068d086-f065-11df-a442-00127992bc8b.html

Interestingly enough, this has caused somewhat of a stir on campus. All of the students who have talked to me or commented on my facebook post agree with me and feel quite insulted when the same thing happens to them. However,  One of the comments on the Herald’s website is quite interesting. The elderly lady has said that I stomped sauce into their carpet, when the truth is I did no such thing–in fact, no sauce is on any of my shoes. You can check.

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Please click to enlarge and/or print.

^Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 Opinion section of the College Heights Herald

May 2009.

The never-ending story of the parking war

I do realize that there are “plenty” of parking spaces on campus. The problem is that they aren’t available to those who need them.

The latest outrage is the decrease in hot spots in the ever so popular Mimosa Lot across from Mass Media and Technology Hall, and the loss of commuter spaces in Parking Structure 2.  I realize the sacrifice is for the new College of Education building. Perhaps special rules need to be enforced until construction is complete, or until more room is created for our leading American university with international reach.

During football season, President Gary Ransdell let tailgaters park reasonably in the grass for game day. It’s an inspiration that may upset the groundskeepers but make everyone else with parking woes exult.

There’d still be rules, such as having the appropriate permit for the correct zone and parking there within the appropriate hours.

I paid $90 (five bucks more than last year for less) to have safe, suitable parking.

My first class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings is in the Environmental Science and Technology Hall, so I have learned to (try to) park in the Chestnut Street lot to spare myself time and the laborious walk up the Hill. I rarely use PS2 anymore, but roll to the Park Street lot. One fine morning when I was running behind to my EST class I found one of the dreaded white pick-ups blocking one lane traffic.

One of the “Men Who We Fear Most” was darting eagerly between cars, searching for his next condemnation. The irony of this situation was that the parking guy was parked illegally. If that was me, I would have been busted with a $50 obstructing traffic citation.

Maybe I wouldn’t get a sour taste in my mouth when I saw them if they seemed friendly. Ticket-Givers all have the same expression: swift, decisive and utter condemnation.

Another Ticket-Giver didn’t even look me in the eye although I was standing right next to my car after taking advantage of the “after 4:30 p.m.” rule. Swooping like a vulture, he looked through the windshield, beheld the sunshine-y large “C” permit and moved on–creepy behavior by anyone who didn’t recognize him as the Head Ticker Giver.

Parking is an ancient, worn out topic for students and faculty on campus, but let’s face the facts. It’s worn out for a reason.