Every week, readers of ColumbiaMissourian.com offer their opinions on the news and the Missourian's coverage of it. Here, we offer you a digest of some of the conversations we found most interesting.
COLUMN: A short skirt doesn't equal consent
Comments: 23/Commenters: 10
Erin O'Neill discussed an event six years ago in St. Louis where a woman's top was pulled down as she was filmed by a crew for the "Girls Gone Wild" videos. The jury ruled that even though she said "no," she gave implied consent by attending the party. O'Neill says that cases like this continue the undercurrent that blames women for rape in our culture.
Most of the commenters agreed that "No" means no. Tom Kelly said that the article had many valid points, but enough details about the particular Girls Gone Wild case were unknown, and so the case was not a good example to prove O'Neill's points.
Warren Mayer explained that he agreed with everything except when O'Neill said, "I would even go as far as to say that pornography, when made or consumed by consenting adults, can be empowering to women." He cited excerpts from the article, "How Porn Destroys Lives." O'Neill joined in the discussion of comments, as well.
LETTER: League of Women Voters of Missouri opposes Proposition C
Comments: 18/Commenters: 8
This letter to the editor announced that the League of Women Voters of Missouri opposes Proposition C, the proposal on the Aug. 3 ballot in Missouri that challenges President Barack Obama's new federal health care law.
John Schultz asked if the League thought it was OK for the federal government to mandate purchases of goods or services. Gregg Bush replied that citizens are forced to purchase police care, road care and many other services. He quoted the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution and said that by providing access to doctors, the government is providing for the general welfare of the country.
Mike Martin said that "our medical system fails more at the government level than private level" and recommended that increased funding at facilities lacking resources would be a better answer. The three continued the conversation, with a few comments from others.
COLUMN: Social Security is in better shape than you may think
Comments: 6/Commenters: 4
George Kennedy wrote that those who worry about Social Security benefits may have less to worry about than they think because Social Security has a current budget surplus of $2.5 trillion.
Ellis Smith said that the underlying premise of Social Security is the government's belive that citizens cannot save for their own retirement individually. John M. Nowell III said that Kennedy's facts were wrong and there has not been a surplus since President Johnson "raidied the SS trust fund to fund the Vietnam war ..."
COLUMN: Instant replay takes the human element out of officiating sports
Comments: 5/Commenters: 5
J. Karl Miller wrote that instant replay is not a good answer to percieved problems in officiating of professional sports. Explaining that sports are played and enjoyed by humans, Miller said that referees should not be held to superhuman standards of accuracy.
Bob Brandon said that instant replay reduces errors in professional sports and reminds referees that they are being supervised. Brendon Steenbergen said he worked inside a Big 12 Replay Booth for more than five years and "only the mistakes of players should define the outcome of a competition." Don Milsop said that instant replay could cut down on the corruption that game officials have been caught on more than once.
Ariz. governor considers changing controversial immigration law
Comments: 7/Commenters: 3
As reported by the Associated Press, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said she would challenge a district court's decision invalidating part of that state's new immigration law all the way to the Supreme Court. But, she said she was open to some "tweaks" in the law.
Carlos Sanchez cited Article 3, Section 2, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution and the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 287(g) to say that the law is legal and binding. Ellis Smith said that things can get worse and that Mexican friends are worried that the Mexican republic might collapse.