WHOA! We never knew the first issue of Turf would blow up the spot like it did. Hate mail, class discussions, lambasting professors and scathing editorials brought this campus to its knees. Thanks to everyone who supported us and helped us through the first issue. A special thanks to SGA for all the free publicity. It says a lot about our student leaders when they spend that much time discussing Turf .

What happened to the ’60s when college was exciting? If we went to school then, we’d all have our own radical magazine, be attending REAL riots for REAL causes and fulfilling the expectation of college students as the movers and shakers of the world.

Sadly, we’ve been reduced to a state of apathy where we attend classes where professors teach us what we should be offended by and not how to formulate our own opinions. There were plenty of people who admitted to liking Turf , but changed their minds after speaking to seemingly enlightened friends and professors laying guilt trips. Peer pressure is a bitch.

Common criticisms we received were “We’re all for shaking things up, but …” or “There is a place for an alternative magazine, but …” or “We don’t want to to censor, but ... ” But whenever things get shaken up around here, people panic, adopt a cover-your-ass mindset, or have a knee-jerk reaction where yes, they do propose censorship. Hmm, not such a liberal attitude after all.

Whether you liked or hated the first issue of Turf, there will always be voices that need to be heard. We’re glad Turf gave everyone an opportunity to speak his/her piece, and to think about important issues. We haven’t seen such an open discussion since we arrived at James Madison. So, like Mya, we’re movin’ on.

All of our issues will be different. In the future, we plan on having an arts issue, full of literary and visual delights. This issue features spots on the fresh campus interest groups NORML and MANGA. We also wanted to chat with JMU’s male cheerleaders to see how they felt about their reputation in the post- “Bring it On” era. And who hasn’t noticed all the classified ads purchased by a 31-year-old local bachelor in search of true love? We have the EXCLUSIVE picture and Q&A session with the man behind the ads. Ever gotten a parking ticket? Then you’ll love our parking feature and confessions from a former attendant. Of course, there will be silliness and humor packed in. SGA Vice President for Administrative Affairs Mike Flaherty declared our “15 minutes of fame” over. Sorry, Mike, they’re just beginning.

 

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After the outcry about the last Turf, we seriously re-examined our content. In the name of media responsibility, we made a list of jokes that we were considering doing, but now in our enlightened political correctness, we feel would be too hurtful and have elimated from this issue.

     * Scoliosis humor (the perpetual gym class disease)
     * Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston crackhead cracks
     * AIDS humor: The "Adventures in low T-cell Man" comic strip
     * Poking fun at androgynous misogynists
     * Elian Gonzalez paper dolls
     * Doctors with bad handwriting cracks
     * The "Homeless People: Are they as sexy as they seem?" feature
     * Racist Jokes & "Bitches ain't shit" jokes
     * Remarks about Jennifer Lopez's big ass
     * Lunchlady cracks * Turfguide to random acts of violence
     * "You don't need a mask for Halloween!" cracks
     * I did your mom last night jokes
     * Chris-stiffer Reeve

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