2008 Woodie Awards
All the News That Gives Us Fits: ASU - What's in a Name?
Katharine Anderson, Opinion Editor
Issue date: 5/19/04 Section: Opinion
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Stone Cold Steve Austin for president.
Why not?
If an ASU president was voted in based on his ethnicity, then why not vote someone in based on the "coolness" of their name?
The whispers in Valley College's hallways these past two weeks are that Levon Bageramian won the post based on his heritage. There was no aggressive campaign. There were no election week speeches. He was just a name on the ballot.
If a name should be the deciding factor then how about The Rock for president? He would surely be a pillar of strength for our nation. Catholics would have to love that idea. How about Joan Jett as the head of the Federal Aviation Administration? Heck, if the name fits.
With the ongoing apathy of the student body (roughly 3.4 percent of Valley students voted in this year's ASU election), many didn't even know who the candidates were. If the voters didn't know the candidates, then how could they possibly know the issues? How could they weigh the validity of the campaign promises?
I can only imagine what was going through some of the voters' minds while they cast their ballots: What's the difference between the candidates? Who are these people? How much lower can I sling these jeans?
Besides playing eenie, meenie, miney, mo they had to decide somehow. When faced with the unknown it is in people's nature to drift toward the familiar. And what can be more familiar than cultural backgrounds?
Frankly, it doesn't surprise me at all.
Name recognition is the only possible explanation for the election of George W. Bush. It obviously wasn't his marvelous leadership abilities as the head of several failed companies and the governor who presided over an educational collapse - and a record number of executions - in Texas.
At this rate our country is in for some colorful presidents.
Heck, if you're voting based on a name, then why not by appearances? Brad Pitt would make a fine president. Justin Timberlake would be a fetching mayor.
Why not?
If an ASU president was voted in based on his ethnicity, then why not vote someone in based on the "coolness" of their name?
The whispers in Valley College's hallways these past two weeks are that Levon Bageramian won the post based on his heritage. There was no aggressive campaign. There were no election week speeches. He was just a name on the ballot.
If a name should be the deciding factor then how about The Rock for president? He would surely be a pillar of strength for our nation. Catholics would have to love that idea. How about Joan Jett as the head of the Federal Aviation Administration? Heck, if the name fits.
With the ongoing apathy of the student body (roughly 3.4 percent of Valley students voted in this year's ASU election), many didn't even know who the candidates were. If the voters didn't know the candidates, then how could they possibly know the issues? How could they weigh the validity of the campaign promises?
I can only imagine what was going through some of the voters' minds while they cast their ballots: What's the difference between the candidates? Who are these people? How much lower can I sling these jeans?
Besides playing eenie, meenie, miney, mo they had to decide somehow. When faced with the unknown it is in people's nature to drift toward the familiar. And what can be more familiar than cultural backgrounds?
Frankly, it doesn't surprise me at all.
Name recognition is the only possible explanation for the election of George W. Bush. It obviously wasn't his marvelous leadership abilities as the head of several failed companies and the governor who presided over an educational collapse - and a record number of executions - in Texas.
At this rate our country is in for some colorful presidents.
Heck, if you're voting based on a name, then why not by appearances? Brad Pitt would make a fine president. Justin Timberlake would be a fetching mayor.
