We hate to say it, but one Student Government organization is actually doing something right. Not everything, mind you, but we'll give credit where credit's due.
Accent prides itself on bringing controversial and nonconventional speakers from all viewpoints and mindsets. Some of the names they've brought include Ellen Degeneres, Michael Moore, Ari Fleischer, Kurt Vonnegut, former President George H. W. Bush and Ross Perot.
So when Accent announced it was paying Dr. Jack Kevorkian ,50,000 to speak, we expected to hear some outcry, but nothing of this level.
After the Pro-Life Alliance spoke out at Tuesday's Student Senate meeting about the speaker receiving student money for his appearance, Senate President Robert Agrusa said he would form a committee to investigate changing statutes to allow the Senate to have a say in what speakers Accent brings to UF.
Bad idea, Mr. Senate President.
Kevorkian's notoriety stems from his admittance for assisting suicides for about 130 terminally ill patients. A hotly debated issue, no doubt. But is one man speaking about his belief in the right to die with dignity grounds for censoring the entire future of Accent?
We can't help but point out that assisted suicide is legal in Oregon, as well as in Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands, according to the Euthanasia Research & Guidance Organization, and many countries have no precedent on the legality of euthanasia.
We didn't see the Senate blocking Accent from bringing Bill Clinton to UF, and he was impeached. No one said no to Ann Coulter, who many conservatives recognize as crazy.
Accent's been doing something right for the 40 years it's been around. The organization is right to bring controversy to campus. We're willing to bet Kevorkian will have thousands of people lined up to hear him.
College is a time for us to explore new things and expand our minds - we cannot let the Student Senate stifle that.
