Readers Speak for Oct. 28, 2011

Posted on Oct. 26, 2011, at 10:16 p.m.

Attack on Bible saddens heart

I read an opinion column in The Maine Campus on Oct. 24 (“Out, Out: Marriage inequality abounds, astounds”) that I found quite moving.

As with all literature that leaves an impact on the reader, it wasn’t the impressive vocabulary and writing style but the content that struck me. In it, Erin McCann relayed her experience volunteering for Equality Maine.

What did I find so striking about her column?

I was surprised to read Bible exegesis in an opinion piece. The author claims to have read “reams of the Good Book.” I do not question whether this is true, but I was saddened to read her claim: “If we followed even a minutia of Biblical tutelage, racial oppression would reign, women would be submissive minions, children would be sold into slavery, we’d all be stoning each other to death — and monogamy? That’s so Adam and Eve.”

Erin is right, of course.

If all of Christendom were to follow “a minutia of biblical tutelage,” taken out of context solely to support its own secular agenda, then the world would be a terrible place. I thank God this is not the case.

I realize we in America have the freedom of speech, but how can someone stand next to this claim in the name of tolerance?

Erin seems angry with Christianity. As a practicing Catholic, I promise you the Church does not hate the GLBT community. The Church does not teach this, and never has.

Whether it was the intent of the article or not, it saddened me to read words that seemed to be written in an attempt to tear down my religion, my faith — a thing I hold dear to my heart — under the name of tolerance and equality.

Matthew Howard

Fourth-year chemical engineering student

Don’t miss out on economist future

Students, if you are interested in obtaining a career-path job upon graduation, I suggest you consider the following question as you sign up for spring courses: “How will I be immediately valuable to firms or agencies upon graduation?”

I sense that many in this country feel everyone who graduates from college should find a career-path entry job upon graduation. Some countries actually limit the number of students who can select majors in certain areas in order to prevent an oversupply — with consequent lack of employment or low wages.

In this country, we do not limit entry into particular college majors and as a result we find oversupplies of new job entrants in certain areas. A current example in the news recently is the national oversupply of new lawyers. Several universities are being sued for misrepresenting job prospects.

Since this country does not restrict the number of students allowed in each major, students should spend time thinking about how to match their career goals with their education and training.

If you are graduating in a field you think will be crowded, advance your knowledge, skill and experience package as much as possible.

Some things you can do include learning how to construct spreadsheets and other technical skills; learning a second language; spending a semester abroad; having a summer internship in your field; joining teams and clubs to get interpersonal communication practice; and taking courses that will aid you in getting a job — e.g. economics, accounting, Web design and so on.

Also, many students with advanced planning can add academic minors and second majors without adding additional semesters onto their program.

So, don’t be in for a surprise when you graduate. Find out if you are in a relatively crowded field and take measures to make yourself valuable to firms or agencies. Of course you could consider adding economics courses, an economics minor or an economics second major to make yourself a more valuable new hire — the supply of economists has not exceeded the demand!

George Criner

School of Economics

A little chemistry goes a long way

As a semi-retired chemist and Orono resident, I particularly enjoyed the column “Science of learning, passion takes more than chemistry” by Erin McCann, published in The Maine Campus on Oct. 17.

I agree that learning more about how the universe works actually increases one’s sense of wonder and beauty. I helped create the “nerd” concept more than 50 years ago and successfully pursued a career in chemistry in spite of — rather than because of — my high school chemistry teacher.

Along the way, I had both good and bad teachers and professors, but the methods of the good outweighed the bad. I, too, strongly encourage every student, regardless of major or career path, to experience as many science classes as they can manage.

Not only will you be a more informed citizen, but you’ll be more appreciative of the wonderful universe we live in.

Bob Buntrock

Chair, Maine Section of the American Chemical Society

Fearless football takes it all

Maine football needs a new nickname this year: Fearless.

Richard Mackin, Jr.

Former Student

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