Letter from the Editor

by Tara Melvin

At times, I’m bewildered by the support our magazine receives. Just one year ago, four of us were sitting in a magazine production class, harping that there was no student-run, student-produced print magazine on campus. Today, we have more than a hundred members eager to get involved. I’ll avoid the Bob Dylan change references and say we are always looking to evolve and welcome this new membership with open arms.

For ages, journalism has been seen by some as the mighty watchdog of the government, ferociously chewing apart and holding accountable those who impact our social and political system. Murrey Marder, former writer of the Washington Post, eloquently calls reporting “an instrument of democracy,” urging journalists to take on the role of a surrogate for the public. Our mission from the beginning has been to represent the iconic flavor of college life and as we’ve grown, we have found it increasingly important to correspond to the entire Athens community. We hope this issue reflects that.

Whether you’re for Obama, McCain, Nader or are completely apathetic, we believe that politics affect every person, and every facet of life as we live it. In true backdrop style, the stories in this issue not only explore national politics but also the community and students’ role in it. With mere days left until election day, we urge you to get involved on a local and countrywide level. This issue is our call to action.

With Love,

Tara Melvin