OK, David Overeem, now this is personal.For everyone who has been living in a cave for the last month, our Undergraduate Student Government has recently and repeatedly made fools of themselves, the latest being the argument about helping fund a gay speaker’s visit to campus.Engineering representative David Overeem particularly came off as a jerk with his remarks about the ‘North American Man Boy Love Association.’Now, Mr. Overeem is attempting to redeem himself in the eyes of the public tonight at a USG committee meeting.Even worse, he had the nerve to demand the Lantern USG reporter cover the meeting or else submit the letter to the editor that is printed on the next page. Apparently, Representative Overeem is not satisfied with the Lantern’s coverage of USG.I have to admit the COTA plan and Larkins Hall fees are important issues for students, but I personally know that USG doesn’t always discuss important issues.For example, last quarter while covering USG, I sat through hours of productive arguments about whether or not to hang a flag in the meeting room, to donate money for a treadmill for a branch campus, or, my favorite, who got to sit in the VIP section at Vice-President Gore’s speech.Now, Mr. Overeem, you dare attempt to tell the Lantern what we should print and when we should print it? If you want something good printed about you, then do something good.The Lantern is not a USG public relations firm. If you say something stupid, you should know from past experiences, it will show up in the Lantern. Instead of acting like an adult and facing the fact that you said something stupid, you launched a personal attack on the reporter who, in doing her job, simply wrote down what you said.Grow up, Mr. Overeem. You’re an elected official; it’s time to start acting like one.There are people on USG, such as Debbie Cha, Amy Minardo, and Greg Krabacher, who truly care about the student’s they represent. But David Overeem cares only about himself.Yes, this is a personal attack on you, Mr. Overeem. You attacked my friend and colleague, now I’m attacking you.Obviously you haven’t learned much during your tenure as a ‘politician’ because you would know the same opinion pages you use to spread your agenda, I can use to spread mine.Everyone has a right to be heard and, believing so, we have been cooperative in printing your letters.However, it seems the more you write, the worse you make yourself look.David Overeem, you attempted to use your freedom of expression in the Lantern to your own advantage, much like you use your position in USG to your advantage, and it has backfired.
Gretchen Sutton is a senior majoring in journalism from Huron, Ohio.
