april 20, 2012

The Pioneer Log opinion

Letter from the Editor

A fond farewell
ILLUSTRATION BY SAMANTHA SARVET

99 Problems is answered by an LC student who is not a trained professional. This students advice should be taken with care and your own judgement should be used.

PHOTO BY ALICIA KROELL

The Pioneer Log is an intrepid little newspaper. As a publication from a small school with no journalism program, the staff works very hard to bring a respectable reputation to the newspaper. We have a dedicated crew of writers, photographers, illustrators and editors who have proven that they are willing to take the time and effort required to create a paper we can truly be proud of. Last weeks State of the School issue was a true testament to The Pioneer Logs capabilities. The staff could never have accomplished what we have this semester without the loyalty and backing of the students, faculty, staff and administrators. Everything we do is for the benefit of this school and we appreciate your responses, from the critical to the appreciative and everything in between. So I thank you, readers, for picking up the paper every Friday morning to see what we have to say. As I head into my senior year of college, I am beginning to reflect on how much the Pioneer Log has accomplished and my contributions to it. I immensely value the time I have spent working for the paper but my time on staff has come to an end. Next semester will bring many new faces and changes to the Pioneer Log. I am confident that these people are up to the challenge of growing and improving with our dear newspaper. This week is also special for The Pioneer Log: we are publishing a 20-page paper. As far as I know, this has never happened before. I am proud that my last issue is unprecedented. It will be classy, it will be inspiring and most of all it will be as kick-ass as everyone who worked on it. Best, Darya Watnick (13) Editor-in-Chief

Dear 99 Problems, I know this is the most typical beginning of summer question ever, but I want to hear your advice. I have been dating someone (at Lewis & Clark) for a few months now. I really, really care about her and our relationship seems much deeper than a few months, but I always have to check in and realize that it has been less than three months that we have been together (and we were friends before, but not super close until second semester) and that isnt the most sturdy foundation for a relatively long distance summer relationship. When we first talked about summer about a month ago, she said that the prospects looked difficult, which was hard to hear but understandable. Now when we talk about summer we just get really excited to spend time together outside of LC, rather than nervous about having to break up or something (or at least thats the way it seems). Since youre probably wondering, we live about two hours away from each other by car and I make a lot of trips up her way anyway so seeing each other wont be a problem when we have time. The issue isnt as much the distance, but that were both pretty busy this summer and one of the places Ill be is a camp that has no cell phone reception for over three full weeks in a row. I think we just need to talk it out, but I want to make sure that I get the respect that I deserve and that she doesnt just run away because of the fact that summer is going to be harder. Thanks! Disappointed to be Distant Dear Disappointed, Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this problem. If you guys really do care about each other, being apart will be tough. Even though you dont live that far away from each other, you wont be able to hang out as much as youd like to, and that will definitely be a drag. But if youre committed enough to each other that youre willing to put up with this, itll be worth it to stay together. The times when you do see each other will be great and youll be glad you went through the hardship when youre able to reunite at the beginning of next year. The most important issue here is that you guys have a clear idea of what to expect over the summer. Are you going to remain exclusive or not? How often do you expect to see each other? To talk to each other? What do you expect when you come back in the fall? In short, consider questions of what roles you will play in each others lives in the coming months. Think about what youre envisioning and what youre worried about and be sure to talk to each other and come to some kind of understanding before you part ways for the summer. This will get rid of the uncertainty of the situation, which is often the worst part. Also, if things change over the summer, you should keep in touch about that and make sure you stay on the same page. That said, best of luck and I hope that both of you have a great summer despite being apart! Best wishes. -99 Problems

Reclaiming religious stories and politics

BY MATT DEISEN
Staff Writer

By some mystery that is beyond us, the Republican party seems to have staked a claim on the Christian constituents. People think that if you are a Christian you are obligated to be Republican. Its like the moment you go to church youre expected to re-register your voting preferences. The only problem is that there isnt much in the Bible to support it. Christianity is, at its core, about following Jesus. And for those who dont know his story, he was a Jewish rabbi who claimed to be God in human flesh. He gave some of the most radical teachings the world has ever heard (which of course many Christians have no interest in following) and then he died on a Roman cross. His friends and followers later talked about how his death had changed the world and offered a way out of pain, brokenness and suffering. People often forget who killed Jesus. It

wasnt a bunch of crazy liberals. It was actually the conservative religious people. They charged him with blasphemy (they said only God Himself could forgive sins) and then they had him killed. They hated the guy. While the conservative religious folks had Jesus killed, there was a different group of people that loved him. You know who had the easiest time trusting and following Jesus? It was the social outcasts, rejects and traitors in Israel. Prostitutes. Crooked tax collectors. Single moms. Gentiles. The ones outside the dominant religion. The ones who didnt fit in. He told people that they were forgiven, no matter what they had done. And people of every size, shape, background and political ideology changed their hearts and lives and started living for something greater than what they could see with their eyes. They bought into something bigger than themselves. Jesus said a lot of things that made those in power pretty upset. He was pretty wild.

And he doesnt fit into any political box that we might try to fit him into. He stood for womens rights long before people would listen; he allowed women to be a part of his followers (which NOBODY else did). He asks his followers to feed the poor, even when it hurts. He loves all sorts of people, from heroin addicts to illegal immigrants to computer programmers. Jesus had the harshest words for the religious teachers and the hyper-conservatives of the day. He made water into wine so that people could continue their week-long party. He ate dinner with prostitutes and called the religious people snakes. Jesus also called himself the Son of God. Those who commit bigotry and racism in the name of Christianity offer a cheap parody of the real teachings of Jesus. Jesus is leading a movement that is so much bigger than politics. Following Jesus means following the guy who washed feet, touched lepers and hung out with the social outcasts. Jesus is inviting you along for the ride as he turns the whole world upside down

The Pioneer Log accepts and encourages letters to the editor from all students, staff, faculty and community members. Submissions should be kept under 350 words and sent to piolog@gmail.com by Monday at 6 p.m. for the following issue.

Send one of your very own 99 Problems to piolog@gmail.com. Submit by Monday at noon for next weeks issue. We accept both anonymous and formally signed letters, but keep them under two hundred words.