Fox News has once again decided to run an anti-gaming article, attacking a shooting game called Bulletstorm as hazardous to children.

“Parents had better beware: There’s a Bulletstorm on the horizon.” John Brandon wrote as the beginning of the article.

If that opening statement does not explain how one-sided the article is then take into account that five of the seven sources listed are against Bulletstorm and video games at large. Also, when the anti-gaming sources say something inaccurate, Fox News did not see fit to correct them in the article. Take this gem from Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist and author:

“The increase in rapes can be attributed in large part to the playing out of [sexual] scenes in video games,” Lieberman said.

First of all, all violent crimes, rape included, have been going down according surveys done by the Federal Bureau of Investigations; secondly, there is no rape in ‘Bulletstorm’.

This not a rant against Fox News however, as for years now several media outlets have been unfairly representing video games with supposed ‘experts’.

For example, CNN used to quote Jack Thompson, a lawyer, as an expert on video games and on the effects video games have on children.

In actuality, he is a now permanently disbarred Florida lawyer, who has never played a game and has no experience in psychology. That hasn’t stopped him from blaming video games for the Columbine shootings, the Northern Illinois shootings, Virginia Tech shootings, and the 9/11 terrorist attacks with no evidence to back up his claims.

“There is going to be a Columbine-times-10 incident, and everyone will finally get it,” Thompson said in an upcoming documentary called Moral Kombat.

This anti-gaming attitude is not limited to the U.S. Russian news network, Russia Today, blamed the bombing of the Domodedovo International Airport on a game called Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 because it has a level where the player takes part in a shooting at a fictional Russian airport. While this may, one has to keep in mind just because something seems logical that does not mean there is a direct correlation.

Again, there is no evidence to back up this claim. Russia Today just makes the claim that a fictional shooting inspired a bombing, instead of several real terrorist attacks that used suitcase bombs.

Violence, real or fictional, can have an effect on people, particularly children. However, people need to remember that environment and the distinction of “right” and “wrong” plays a bigger role more than anything.

Hey Bucky! I have a question. What kind of benefits does WT offer married students? Any? Does it pay more to be married or single at this school?

Thanks, Marriage on the Mind

Dear Marriage on the Mind,

The rumor that married students receive more money for school is correct.

With no parental support students normally have less money to consider when giving loans and grants. Nonetheless, financial aid ALWAYS depends on the individual situation. However, getting married should be taken seriously and takes more then just wanting more money for school to make it work. For help with marriage preparations or while your married, the WT counseling services provide help for any problems newlyweds have.

Hoping to hear wedding bells for you soon, Bucky

Dear Bucky, Why can’t I wear white after labor day? Is it because you’ll get lost in snow? Also, when can I start wearing white again? ~Confused in Canyon.

Dear Confused in Canyon, I am sorry to say that not wearing white after Labor Day is not for those of us wanting to blend into a Christmas wonderland. It’s simply a long standing rule of etiquette that some experts cannot explain. However, according to TIME Magazine, “One common explanation is practical. For centuries, wearing white in the summer was simply a way to stay cool — like changing your dinner menu or putting slipcovers on the furniture.”

People said that after Labor Day weather was to extreme for such a light fabric that could be easily stained. It was also said that when people dressed for work they should not wear white because it was considered a leisure color. If someone wore white after the summer it was assumed that they were not ready for their fall workload.

Whatever the reason may be, some fashionista’s will tell others that the rule is mundane and dated. Coco Chanel made white a part of her wardrobe year round. Current First Lady Michelle Obama also continues to wear white because of its crisp cleanness and compatibility with other colors.

However, an individual feels required to stick to the no white after Labor Day rule, they should know that it is acceptable to wear white again after Memorial Day.

Hoping I was helpful, ~Bucky

Have a question about campus? We can find the answer. Need relationship advice? We will try to make your love life as perfect as we can. Need help with school? We will lead you to the people on campus who can help you. Have family or friend issues? We can sort that out. Have a silly question you want answered? Ask it and we will answer. This column is for you, the readers. Think about what you want to ask Bucky, and we will figure it out for you. Send Bucky questions at askbucky@hotmail.com

Dear Dr. O’Brien,

I am writing this letter as a learning tool for what could be done as West Texas A&M continues to forge ahead into the future. I am a senior, graduating in May, and I feel that I have some very useful insight as a student here.

I would first like to focus on some things that may need to be improved on in the future. I know that this is beating a dead horse into the ground, but parking is a major concern for the students of WT. I commend you on the plans to construct a parking lot where the old Fine Arts building was; this is a necessary improvement that will help the plethora of students that have classes in the new student center get to their classes on time. However, this is far from enough to meet the needs of the students. I hope that this is always on your mind when planning for growth and expansion in the future. And think about it, if you get enough spots, people will stop complaining about this problem so you can focus attention elsewhere.

Another issue I see becoming a problem at WT is the constant tuition increases. Yes, I understand that we cannot continue to grow without money, but the affordability of West Texas is what attracts many to come here in the first place. I was at the University of North Texas before deciding to transfer here before my junior year, when looking at coming to WT, price was at the top of my list. I could get the same education for a third of the price; who wouldn’t jump at that possibility? I know the plans are to grow the University, but as my teachers have taught me in my wonderful advertising classes here at WT, it’s all about having a niche. Maybe it should be considered that people enjoy coming here because it is a smaller school that is affordable. That being said, I am not 100% sure what effect the economy has on this University, so maybe we are increasing tuition for other reasons. This I can handle, but I hope that you consider the students’ pocket books as we expand.

This is just a small thing, but could we get some more places to eat around here? At other schools they have Taco Bells and Pizza Huts on campus as well as multiple dining halls. I realize that it costs money to put these in, which contradicts my last point, but everybody eats; the entire student body could enjoy these kinds of additions. I would also like to point out that it could raise revenue within the University by keeping students’ money on-campus.

Now to the good stuff…

The vibe on this campus is great, coming from a larger university, I was used to nameless faces and lots of them. Here at WT, everyone is closer, and I feel the University does a great job in creating that atmosphere. The events put on by different organizations and the CORE office creates opportunities to meet other students in interesting ways. I feel I know half the people on campus, or could at least recognize them because of the at-home atmosphere we create here.

The one-on-one attention that students get here is amazing. The density of each class is kept at a low level, and it creates a great atmosphere to learn in. Other schools have auditoriums filled with hundreds of kids and one professor. The teacher never even meets half their students, and thus, don’t care what happens to them. Here at WT, the students are able to have a relationship with the professors; this is paramount to getting through college. We are able to speak to them one-on-one, and if something goes wrong, we are able to explain it face-to-face. Everything doesn’t have to be done through e-mail; there is a mutual understanding here which is unrivaled at other schools. I truly hope that this is the biggest emphasis on the future of WT. Personable teachers in close settings is what makes West Texas truly a great place to obtain a degree.

The final positive aspect I would like to bring to your attention is the opportunities given to the students on this campus to learn more about the workplace and gain real world experience. In my classes, and others that I have heard from, the curriculum is based around actual companies. I was able to create campaigns for actual clients and get their input on the work I created. This doesn’t happen often.

Universities teach theory after theory while the students gain no real experience. Here at WT, an emphasis is put on preparing students for their careers. WT has worked to create relationships
with the surrounding community, and it has produced a great environment for students to have the skills to move on into the workplace; that is what college is truly about.

I am proud to have my degree from West Texas A&M University, and I feel that I have gained some valuable knowledge. I have also been given the chance to put it to use, and it shows. Many schools may offer what WT has, but no one puts it together in a package the way it is here. I truly believe WT is a great place to be, and I hope the changes being made on this campus are to enhance what we have here, not change it altogether. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to seeing you at graduation.

Sincerely, Sam Carter