This letter is in response to Justin Smith’s perspective article concerning Stephen Colbert’s intention to run for U.S. President. I feel that though Justin’s opinions are valid to have, they lack the backing necessary to make the kinds of claims he makes.

Who is he to say Colbert’s run will take focus off of the country’s needs? If anything Colbert’s run (while limited to the state of South Carolina) will help keep the attention of the 18-25 voter demographic on the issues and the candidates throughout campaigning, as well as the final stretch into elections.

Obviously Colbert won’t win, but the fact of the matter is, he doesn’t need to. It is obvious that too many people, as made evident by Justin Smith’s article, feel that there are only two valid political parties. This is just plain wrong.

Being a Republican or a Democrat no more validates your abilities than being an educated Television host. This is a broad argument, but the idea remains true. What defines a “real candidate capable of enacting real change” is completely subjective, and if it takes political satire to get us moving towards a real change in the way we do politics in this country, so be it.

Dan Forbes

Junior, psychology

Oh my God, you’re offensive

Monday’s edition of “Oh My Gods” comic strip portrayed auditions for the next divine Idol. Lord Krishna, a divine god of Hinduism, was portrayed as a “her” by Buddha.

This is very offensive not only for Hindus but also to all educated students. The comic strip lacks knowledge on basic information of Lord Krishna and the universal religion, Hinduism. Krishna is the reincarnation of Vishnu. HE came to deliver the Baghavad Gita to earth and is portrayed as the hero of the epic poem, Mahabharata.

It is one thing to have your own interpretation of a religion and even express it in your own manner, but it is another thing to make outrageously blunt comments on a religion that one does not educate themselves on. Personally, I would not have been offended if the comic did not portray Krishna as a female, when he clearly is a male.

Western society still continues to mock Eastern religions without fully understanding the repercussions of these actions.

Religions that are often mocked by the media and entertainment industries are believed to be true; obviously this is not the case.

Tallika Patel,

Senior, political science