Letters: Hateful ideology does not represent PSU values; Consider casino when voting in November
Hateful ideology does not represent PSU values
The leader of the Proud Boys is scheduled to attend a student-sponsored event on Penn State’s campus. This vile group of neo-fascists works to spread hate, sexism and engages in political violence.
I’ve corresponded with many Penn Staters who are outraged that PSU would even consider allowing this group on campus. I share in their outrage. I’m extremely disappointed that a small group of our students invited this hate into our community and condemn the Proud Boys and their bigoted ideology in the strongest possible manner.
I serve as a Penn State trustee and have taken a lead role working with our students, faculty and alumni to advance diversity and inclusion at PSU. I want to assure the PSU community that this hateful ideology does not represent Penn State values.
Colleges function best with open discourse of diverse opinions and ideologies; the First Amendment protects that right. So as much as most reasonable people disagree, the event must go on.
That said, freedom of speech is not freedom to intimidate or commit acts of violence. The safety and well-being of our people is the top priority, and we will do everything in our power to keep people safe.
Penn State is about inclusion and not about any battle between Black, brown, yellow or white. We are a family, where all colors come together to become Blue & White.
Penn State is strong and I’m confident that any attempt for hate to have a lasting effect on PSU will fail.
Consider casino when voting in November
Paul Takac is clearly one of the most personable and well-spoken team members of the College Township Council. Paul is running for State Representative for House District 82, and he hopes to have earned your vote at the ballot box on Nov. 8. Sure, Paul is pro-choice but let’s not circle back to that later. Voters need to focus on the College Township Council’s avoidance of taking any action against the proposed casino at the Nittany Mall.
Council’s casino-related vote on Oct. 6 was incorrectly reported by local media as if council voted to not send a letter to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) requesting denial of the casino’s license. Nothing could be further from the truth. In a voting haze of confusion and with Paul voting remotely via Zoom, that official vote of 4-1 defeated a motion only to forward casino-related public comments to the PGCB that were received by College Township after June 12. The council’s final vote on Oct. 6 had nothing to do with any proposed letter from the township requesting denial of the casino’s license.
College Township voters are nearly unanimously opposed to the problems the proposed casino would bring to Happy Valley. Don’t forget the casino-related stonewalling that was so deftly accomplished by the College Township Council.
Please don’t approach that ballot box thinking “That’s OK, Paul. We know you meant well.” Remember Happy Valley’s strong opposition to the casino when you vote for State Representative in November. Paul, we do not forget.
The world’s hero
Recently England celebrated Stonehenge with a university exhibition.
The ancients met the sun with an assertion of ground in massive stone for they knew that within these grounds gravity stops falling and declares.
Today I add only this — that ground comes to term as we cross the public square for future good and take firmly each other’s hands.
For this giant shining world has a hero and he is called man. Each of us can hear this calling in the center of our names.