Letters: Time for action through BOT election; GOP stands in the way of clean energy future

Time for action through BOT election

Eyes are on Penn State. It’s time for action.

Penn State is again in the national spotlight in regards to sexual violence. We have the opportunity to do more — and we must.

While sexual violence happens everywhere, its presence at Penn State highlights the opportunities for further action at our institution.

Last week, I spoke on a panel, hosted by the Penn State Gender Equity Coalition, on this topic. As current students and faculty members spoke, I was reminded that we know what to do. For example, Penn State can follow in the footsteps of one of our Big 10 counterparts, Michigan State, which has prioritized sexual violence prevention by partnering with Greek Life and student athletes, mandating yearly education, and supporting individuals after experiencing sexual violence. We can even start by meeting our own stated goals: administering and sharing in a timely manner the results of sexual misconduct surveys.

But we need more support for this work. As the highest governing body of the university, the board of trustees is uniquely positioned to champion these efforts.

In my day to day work as an obstetrician and gynecologist, I see the pervasive effects of sexual violence — how it affects physical and psychological health even decades afterwards.

I know that Penn State can be a national leader in this life-changing work. Support sexual violence prevention by voting for us: Farnaz Farhi, Edward Smith and Christa Hasenkopf, for the board of trustees by May 5 at 9 a.m. Visit psuforward.org/vote for more information.

GOP stands in the way of clean energy future

If there is anything the Ukrainian conflict should teach us, it is that it is sheer folly for the world to continue depending on fossil fuels for energy.

No less a bastion of conservatism than our military strongly supports getting off fossil fuels.

A 2009 report prepared by 12 retired generals entitled: Powering America’s Defense: Energy and the Risks to National Security, stated that: “U.S. dependence on oil weakens international leverage, undermines foreign policy objectives, and entangles America with unstable or hostile regimes…U.S. dependence on fossil fuels undermines economic stability, which is critical to national security…Continuing our heavy reliance on these fuels is a security risk.”

The report summarizes: “The U.S. should not pursue energy options inconsistent with the national response to climate change.”

In contrast, nearly the entire Republican Party claims fossil fuels are our future. This lack of foresight puts our country, and many others, in a precarious energy situation. But when the fossil fuel industry is your main campaign funder, what’s a politician to do?

European countries now realize they have to get off fossil fuels to free their country from the tyranny of countries that use energy as a weapon.

As our military makes clear, it is in our national interest to not only move our country to renewable energy as fast as possible, but to also help other countries make the transition.

The Republican Party is the only impediment to us moving quickly to a clean energy future.

Abortion laws already unfair to women

The United States Supreme Court just weighed in on abortion in this country. But many states have already initiated new, more restrictive laws regarding a woman’s right to abortion and when. But wait, isn’t pregnancy “caused” by two people?

I’ve not seen any attempts to restrict/punish the men who caused the pregnancy, however. It was a two way happening, willing or not! DNA and reports by a woman can determine who the male was, and initiate his “treatment.” How about a one year (or more) sterilization procedure, or financial assessments to pay for the results of his actions, including 21 years of financial support? And, of course, financial support for the delivery.

Why do laws only put the burden on the woman? If you want to save the fetus save the woman carrying it.