I’m hoping this will be the last time anyone has to read about whatever editorial it is that’s had so many ethernet cables wound too tightly for the past month.

The true outrage that readers should be sharing is that the use of a four letter word is the closest a Polytechnic writer has come to truly exercising his first amendment rights in nearly two years. The fact that an editor felt the need to squander it on this is disappointing. Make no mistake about it, I respect the rights of any American to speak their mind, but when an editor fails to use it across the board on issues that matter, it makes a mockery of those of us who look to him to use it to serve the greater good. This isn’t to say that Polytechnic writers should be running around with a mandate to cause trouble, but it does the RPI community a great disservice to have our biggest news source derelict its obligation to keep the campus informed of the issues that aren’t put out in the form of a mass e-mail. On other campuses, the student newspapers are looked to investigative machines, exposing wrong-doings and defending the individual. At this, The Polytechnic has been a miserable failure, avoiding controversial news the way an EMAC avoids direct sunlight.

Let’s face it, prior to their libeling the RPI College Republicans, The Polytechnic staff has done an excellent job of keeping the details of every contentious issue on this campus closely guarded secrets, a talent that would be expected of lapdogs of the administration, not an independently-funded publication. Now, I’ve never been their biggest fan—maybe not even fifth biggest—but I have never questioned the independence of its staff from influence from above. This is what makes their refusal to tackle serious matters so troubling. It doesn’t help that I’ve seen The Polytechnic miss three major stories in the past two months; just as my sources have shown me concrete evidence, I’ve seen proof of comparable caliber that The Polytechnic hasn’t given much consideration to any one of them.

I am not writing today to complain; rather, I am writing because I sincerely believe The Polytechnic is capable of being what it was, if not more. Ask any alumnus what they think of The Polytechnic today, and their response will almost certainly be one of nostalgia as they remember the days when the staff drew national attention for their investigative work. Today, too much is going unprinted, as the pages are covered with a conglomeration of senate minutes and press releases from the president. One can only imagine how great a role this inaction by The Polytechnic plays in the apathy problem on campus. There’s simply no excuse for this lack of investigative journalism; now that RPI has the parking garage we so desperately needed, Polytechnic writers even have a place to meet with high-level sources.

The Polytechnic can be great again. Yes, it’s fine to use a little profanity when you feel the need, but as long you’re going to be giving the first amendment some fresh air, make sure you’re doing it all the time. I look forward to seeing if The Polytechnic steps up to the plate for the RPI community in the coming months, because it will be to all of our benefits if they do. And to those of you on its staff who think that serious reporting is too much for you, I say this: don’t be journalistic girlie-men.

Ken Girardin