The Rambler (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 102, No. 6, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Page: 3 of 6
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Texas Wesleyan University.
- Highlighting
- Highlighting On/Off
- Color:
- Adjust Image
- Rotate Left
- Rotate Right
- Brightness, Contrast, etc. (Experimental)
- Cropping Tool
- Download Sizes
- Preview all sizes/dimensions or...
- Download Thumbnail
- Download Small
- Download Medium
- Download Large
- High Resolution Files
- IIIF Image JSON
- IIIF Image URL
- Accessibility
- View Extracted Text
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
February 25, 2009
Opinions
The Rambler 3
Role models 'a matter of perspective'
i
I
<L>
s
CO
s
<u
o
c
•Si
u
(/)
Q J 8
*5 .-3
V)
a <D
-y *"« ^
Um CL
jd
o
E
u-
cn
13
V.
Ql
D
E
O
CO
o
c/)
*=
"cS
o
sz
0)
£
+->
a mmmm
o
>
£
C*-
0
c*3
M
IM
O
•
"Cl
s
cd
s
oij
G
Q-
a
2
C0
a
c
-o
J3
2
.2
v
ol)
l_
M
0)
5a
3
00
s
u.
u*
2
a
0
S s
JO ■«?
1 S
= s £
g c s
:*! $ £
CJ
3
cr
J5
c3
03
u
<u
oo
c
*c
a.
T
Connor
Howell
"dols, political leaders, professional athletes,
.celebrities and others with such enviable titles
are marked by the public as role models and
representatives of society. They are rewarded for
their contributions and their exceptional talent.
They are given wealth, recognition, status, power
and other desirable notions that many wish to have
themselves.
But in the acknowledgment of their abilities
come certain limitations, rules and standards that
~ are used by the public to monitor and maintain an
acceptable form of behavior among these role models.
In the professional world the role models operate under names
such as doctors, lawyers, psychiatrists and political leaders. With
these titles come certain obligations to those who are affected by their
decisions.
A doctor is expected to provide the best available medical care. A
defense attorney is expected to protect his client through the law and
give that client the best defense possible. These professions are easily
recognizable and easily definable among the public through the tasks
they perform and the duties and responsibilities they have to those
who need them.
Usually accompanied with such a position is a detailed code of
ethics to which these professionals are committed to observing and
maintaining, yet there are stories of negligence, corruption
and other actions that are unbefitting of people of such
position and authority.
When they are caught they suffer the legal
consequences of their actions, but socially they
become outcasts and pariahs, dismissed by their
community. All these are longstanding and
well known situations that have precedents for
determining many of the legal and
even social responses to unethical
behavior.
There are many other forms
of role models that hold just
as much influence in the social
sphere. These people work as
actors, singers, dancers, musicians, etc.
They hold performances, create works of
art and star in movies. Their day to day lives
and activities serve to influence, and in some
cases entertain, the lives of that public for
whom they perform.
But they have specific standards to meet just as those who work
under a profession. So what happens when they break the rules? Can a
celebrity do something so socially backward and instead of receiving
attention receive animosity?
In many cases that is true. It almost seems as if there is an implied
expectation in the relationship between celebrity and audience.
Nowhere is it formally written down, rather simply understood that
certain actions are not socially acceptable.
If such behavior occurs then the ability to entertain no longer
matters, and that celebrity is written off from public thought. For
some celebrities, however, a little controversy in their private life
helps create the powerful "comeback" image and bolster their
popularity and their sales simultaneously.
Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez and the controversy
surrounding his use of steroids serve as a fresh example. Though
Rodriguez is not currently suffering from any legal consequences (due
to the nature of how the information of his steroid use was brought to
light), his image, reputation and character are all thrown into question.
Is he still as valuable a player as he was before the news came
out? Does he still hold the same admiration and adoration of his fans?
Probably not, but since some time has elapsed since the inception of
the steroid controversy, perhaps he will fare better than some other
well known professional athletes.
In truth, it's all a matter of perspective. Sure in many cases people
can come together collectively in agreement and say of such role
models and professionals that what they have done is wrong and
deserves reprimand and punishment.
But in other cases the answer is not so clearly defined. The
implied social standard becomes harder and harder to define as
the years go on and society continues to grow and become more
complex.
The responsibilities and expectations we have of our
professional and popular role models maintain
their quality, but we must bear in mind that
they are still subject to the same faults and
weaknesses the average person encounters
everyday.
Though their actions hold more weight and influence
among many, they do deserve to be forgiven once in a
while. Even if some of them do seem a little crazy.
Connor Howell is a junior English major and is a contributing writer for The
Rambler.
Web pages potential tool unable to be utilized
Dear Editor,
Fn 1999 I came to Fort Worth and was
appointed as a local pastor in a United Methodist
Church. I was visiting a colleague that lived in
the Poly area and encountered Texas Wesleyan
University by accident. I inquired about the
religion program at Wesleyan because I was
obligated to continue my studies at a liberal arts
school.
I was excited about a school affiliated with
the Methodist church because that meant more
financial help. Five years later I came in to
inquire about the program and was given a CD
in lieu of a catalog. I was told that I could also
find the information for my religion courses on
the religion Web page.
From time to time I would check the religion
Web page and noticed that it was constantly
under construction. Two years passed and the
Web page was basically the same, with only the
description of some courses, and the degree plan
was pretty sketchy.
I do not consider myself proficient on
the computer or on the Internet, but along the
years I have been able to surf the Web and
found out that the easier the Web page is, the
more interesting it is to me. In my personal
experience, I think that the religion page, in
TWU, is underdeveloped and incomplete.
It is sad that an institution with many
professionals available allows a situation like
this to continue. If we compare TWU religion
page with McMurry and Southwestern (other
private Methodist- affiliated universities) we can
Letter to the Editor
prove this case.
I believe that any organization, institution
or business can benefit tremendously by having
an attractive, user friendly Web page. I mention
these two simple characteristics because there
are many Web pages that are anything but
attractive and user friendly.
To be fair, the TWU religion Web page
does not have that
problem, the Web-page
is somewhat attractive
and relatively easy
to access. The main
problem relies on the
under development and lack of descriptions for
courses.
When I left Fort Worth in 2001,1 never
lost sight of returning to TWU because of its
size and affordability. However, as I would
constantly check on the program, I became more
attracted to Southwestern University because of
its extensive curriculum and the fairly detailed
descriptions for their courses.
Finally, there were other factors that enabled
me to come to TWU, but my disappointment
continued as I noted the religion Web page was
the same. I was faced with the feeling that I had
no say so in the decision-making process on
the classes that I wanted to take or any access
to information about the professor that I was
interested in taking.
It wasn't until I went to my adviser and I
was able to see in the computer some of the
courses that I needed to take. However, I had no
access or other options to evaluate the professors
instructing the courses.
My destiny was in my adviser's hands rather
than my own. It's important for me to confess
that I feel some sort of envy of other Web
pages in the TWU curriculum. For instance, the
English department has an extensive description
of their courses, a list of their professors with
pictures. On top of that, there is a list of personal
information, interests,
even the names of their
dogs!
It is hard to befieve that
it is easier for me to click
on the Chili's Web site
and see their menu before I go than to go to the
Web page of my school and see the information I
need on the classes I'm interested in.
As I understand it, Web pages can easily be
modified. I'm not asking for a supervisor of Web
pages, but a dean or a professor or even a student
worker that has control over the management
would be able to easily update the curriculum
(I can even volunteer to type any information
needed if access were to be granted).
Two Sundays ago I was talking to a student
that was interested in attending the nursing
school and invited him to explore TWU and
its curriculum. However, when I checked the
program, to my dismay, I could not find enough
information about the nursing program.
I wonder if this lack of attention to the
Web pages will continue to result in missed
opportunities to reach out to potential students.
-Carlos Careaga
Junior Religion Major
Kelli Lamers. adviser
Tuira Nugent, editor- in-chief
Ryan Authier, entertainment editor
Hasten Sehoonover, photo editor
The Rambler
Founded in 1917 as The Handout
Harold G. Jeffcoat, Publisher
Martin Garcia, news editor
Bryce Wilks, sports editor
Ashelv Oldham, adx'errisiny manager
Rachel Horton. Web editor
Member of Ihc Texas Intercollcgiatc Press Association.
Opinions expressed in The Rambler are those of the individual author only
and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas Wesleyan community as a whole.
Letters to the editor: The Rambler, a weekly publication, welcomes all letters.
All submissions must have a full printed name, phone number and signature; however, confidentiality will be granted if requesicd.
While every consideration is made to publish letters, publication is limited by time and space.
The editors reserve the right lit edit all submissions for space, grammar, clarity and style.
Letters to the editor may be subject to response from editors and students on the opinions page.
"We are not afraid to follow the truth...wherever it may lead." -Thomas Jefferson
Address all correspondence to:
Texas Wesleyan University, The Rambler, 1201 Wesleyan St., Fort Worth, TX 76105.
Newsroom: 531-7552 Advertising: 531-7582
F.-mail twuramblertoyahoocom
' 1'
H •
M Sfc
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Garcia, Martin. The Rambler (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 102, No. 6, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 25, 2009, newspaper, February 25, 2009; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth253435/m1/3/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Texas Wesleyan University.