Opinion

Reflecting a changed world

Looking for a print version?
Simply use your browser’s ‘Print’ command and a printer-friendly document will be generated automatically.

Related stories:

• Good from evil (March 11, 2002)
• A new year for ASM (August 29, 2003)
• Reflecting on lessons learned (December 14, 2004)
• Administration shows where its priorities lie (September 17, 2001)
• Yesterday's attacks will have everlasting effect (September 12, 2001)

Also by Alexander Conant:

• Earth Day: Editor v Editor (April 22, 2002)
• Acceptable hypocrisy (May 2, 2002)
• Socialist cabs (May 7, 2002)
• Et tu, Mr. President? (March 20, 2002)
• In defense of UW quality (March 21, 2002)

Sharing tools:

E-mail this article:

Your e-mail address:

Recipient e-mail address:

Optional message:

Share on:

• Facebook
• Digg
• Newsvine
• reddit
• StumbleUpon
• delicious
• Google
• Yahoo! My Web
• BlogMarks
• Linkroll
• Simpy

• Spurl
• Connotea
• Fark
• Feed Me Links

• Magnolia
• BlinkList
• Sphere
• LinkedIn

• Furl
• Technorati
• AddToAny
• Permalink

Today, the world will again begin to turn: Ballplayers and fans will fill stadiums. Stock tickers will churn out prices. Airplanes will fly over Madison. In short, this Monday will resemble last Monday.

Of course, that’s only on the surface. Inside, every American feels the hurt, fear and anger tapped by last Tuesday’s terrorists. Life moves on, but now with an awareness of evil among us.

As life moves on, so will our coverage. Already, we are resuming regular Sports and Arts coverage. Believe it or not, other news happened last week; in the coming days we will do our best to report it.

At the same time, we recognize the world changed very dramatically last Tuesday. Our newspaper will do its best to change with it: Look for expanded News and Opinion sections all week, as the demand for information and a forum for discussion are overwhelming.

With the vigils and memorial services this weekend, America?s formal time for grieving is nearing an end. But the time for reaction is just beginning. Already, students have started a lively debate about the causes of and appropriate reaction to last week’s events. As always, I encourage everybody to participate in the discussion. We will do our best to publish everybody’s opinion — even those that seem to question America’s goodness and innocence. Those opinions can only be countered if properly aired.

As we titled last Wednesday’s special issue, these acts were an attack on freedom. As an American and an editor, it is tempting to silence the voices that would sympathize with the terrorists? goals. But if we censor any opinions, our freedom truly will have been sacked.

Americans are a fair and civil people. It’s important not to point fingers at our neighbors. When angered by somebody’s ideas, it’s important to resort to civil debate. We will do our best to provide such a forum.