According to the words on a free-standing wall that has no

relation to this newspaper, I am now the editor of the “ISU Fag

Rag.” Imagine my embarrassment — I didn’t even know the “ISU Fag

Rag” existed until some kind soul spent their night spray-painting

the words on campus property.

In the hours after the campus found out about the third string

of vandalism directed toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual and

transgender community at Iowa State, I received support and

sympathy from many on campus. But let’s set one thing straight (pun

only slightly intended): I, as well as this newspaper, need no such

kind words, as a reaction to such blatant idiocy is a waste, and

I’m thick-skinned enough to know worthless ignorance when it’s

painted on a wall.

This is, however, all riddled with sad irony. This newspaper is

the best forum for discussion on this campus. It is the only way to

spread a message to the thousands of people at Iowa State, and we

strive to do that via articles, editorials, columns and — here’s

where you come in — letters to the editor. Our letters policy is

clearly stated right in this section of the Daily. I will verify

this with the other Daily editors, but I’m fairly certain there is

no clause soliciting anonymous messages in the form of spray

paint.

Visit the Daily newsroom, and you’ll find a really fancy sign on

the wall displaying the First Amendment. Those words are what make

even derogatory views worth listening to. But there’s nothing in

this world that gives you the right to deface campus property. Find

better tools for the next attempt — perhaps draft a letter to me

stating your qualms, give me a ring in my office, or walk the extra

100 feet and find me in the newsroom. Every way to reach me is

listed in nice, neat print on this page.

Sad, too, is the delayed response of the university to do

anything about the vandalism. The first instance of vandalism this

year was simply covered by copies of the Daily. In this case,

though the Department of Public Safety said Facilities Planning and

Management would remove the spray paint when I reported it Thursday

morning, the words were still there Sunday evening.

* To our anonymous vandal(s): I do have some concerns about your

choice of wording. In the future, should the need to vandalize

campus property arise, and should you again choose to direct that

vandalism toward an unrelated, free-standing wall located near our

office, could you please note that we are not the “ISU Fag Rag,” as

we are not the “Iowa State University Daily.”

Silly things to ponder, I know, but we take pride in our name.

As chock full of ignorance as your message is, I imagine the

ignorance you’re trying to hit home is the “fag” bit — so could

you please invest a bit more time in your next heinous crime to be

sure poor jabs at the Daily do not include this “ISU” business?

Oh, and while we’re discussing your vocabulary — last I

checked, my newspaper had no sexuality. Perhaps you’ve bumped into

“ISU Fag Rag” at a party recently and it made the mistake of coming

on to you, and your homophobia got the better of you. That’s

understandable — no better way to assert your views on

homosexuality than to deface public property. The campus has now

heard your message, and will act accordingly!

Lastly, perhaps enrollment in a creative writing course would do

a bit for your sophomoric attempt at poetry. “Fag rag”? I’ve heard

that before. And, frankly, more important people have alerted me to

my newspaper’s “fag rag” status, in accordance to their political

filters — most notably Fred Phelps, the dandy old pastor who has

so much free time on his hands he sends messages to editors of

college newspapers that print the words “Matthew Shepard” without

the phrase “fags should burn in hell.” Silly editors!

It rhymes, sure. But is it effective? Were there not equally

offensive phrases you could have generated? Surely at least one

semester in an English course would have helped you hone a more

sharp mastery of all things poetical.

* To our LGBT community: Know that this world is not perfect,

and that Iowa State is far from being an environment that truly

welcomes diversity. But be yourself, and know that there are a

thousand other things to worry about. Petty acts such as this

should never elicit emotional responses, unless it’s a response

that drives you to take action. Ignorance, it seems, is really not

bliss at all.

* To our administrators, fellow student leaders and public

safety officials: Your words about diversity, awareness and

multicultural centers are very pretty. But your action is

nonexistent. Inability to affect change or eliminate such ignorant

crimes from this campus are dangerous and bothersome.

Please, stop talking and begin working. Today would be

preferable.