Not just football school

Sen. Michael Baumgartner’s use of the Lord’s name “in vain” is an affront to all people of faith, (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) and his unveiled, inappropriate threats to use his senatorial influence to limit university funding is deplorable. I would hope his colleagues have the decency and courage to censure him.

One has to ask if Robert Barber were a member of the debate team, would Sen. Baumgartner be there at all. Barber’s case is not a case of police or university overzealousness. It’s a case of a violent man whose actions bring about natural consequences. He previously threatened an officer of the law, so the pattern of his behavior is clear. He is irresponsible and reckless to say the least, and university officials are only doing their appointed duty.

WSU is far more than, and I use the term loosely, “a football school.” Its purpose is to educate citizens and future leaders for productive lives. Football may be a part of that, but the wider scope of the university must be considered.

Michael Aleman

Spokane