Opinion

A columnist's final farewell

Matthew Caster
Opinion Columnist

There will be no curtain calls. What you are reading now is my last Daily Cougar column ever.

Itis been a wonderful couple of years, and it seems that just yesterday I was writing my columns about the 2000 presidential election. But now, with graduation looming only days away, itis time I bid you farewell and begin to concentrate on life after college.

I gather many will rejoice at my retirement; judging by the e-mails I have received over these many months, most of you consider me the enemy of everything college students are supposed to believe in. However, I have prided myself on the clash my columns provided with the liberalism that runs rampant at this fine university.

I will say Iive never enjoyed ticking people off as much as I have through these columns. Looking back, I canit think of a single ethnic minority, religious group or non-American nationality I havenit upset. Itis not because I believe Iim the king of the world (at least not yet), or that Iim some sort of ignorant ethnocentric, but rather because I am not ashamed to point out why I believe other people are wrong. The instant someone can make some argument to me about why political correctness is good, or why being proud of my own culture and heritage is bad, Iim willing to listen.

The problem is that for years our nation has moved away from a sense of moral responsibility, fiscal integrity and emotional stability. Instead, weive become a nation where throwing money at a problem is the only solution, where the international community dictates to us what is in our best interests and where weire actually pressured to do it (whatever it is) if it feels good.

What Iive tried to write about is another way for our nation to accomplish greatness, one that involves novel concepts such as hard work, integrity and a greater sense of purpose. The nation I have grown to love isnit one where I have to rely on the government for success, but rather one where I can do whatever I set my mind to, so long as I work for it. Maybe you havenit had to work for it; maybe even your parents didnit have to work for it, but decades ago, before the Great Depression and Franklin Rooseveltis socialization of the American society, hard work and sacrifice were actually requirements for accomplishing virtually anything.

Getting my degree in chemical engineering has undoubtedly been the hardest thing Iive ever done. The last four years have been hell on earth, and Iim honestly not sure how I got through it all. Despite occasional bouts of slacking, itis taken a great deal of hard work and dedication and Iive accomplished my goals.

But since 9/11, Iive sensed a different purpose in my life than the one Iive been training for. Especially considering recent events in Iraq, I have developed an overwhelming desire to join the fight for everything this country stands for. I have received countless e-mails asking me how I can support a war I am not willing to fight myself and why I am unwilling to practice what I preach.

That is not the case. After graduation, I am signing on with the United States Air Force. Oh, sure, theyill probably stick me in some chemistry lab or something, perhaps designing and testing munitions. I know that doesnit require quite as much bravery as if I were one of the Marines or infantry soldiers on the front lines in Iraq, but if the work I am able to do helps the battle end swiftly, and with fewer American casualties, I will feel as though I have fulfilled my obligations to my country.

In closing, friends, I am going to miss this. Iive made many friends and many enemies through my columns, but my hope, no matter what you think of me personally, is that my articles have at least provided some insight to you. If even one of my columns made you think about what you believe, even if it did not entice you to change your mind, my purpose has been served.

I wish all of my readers and the entire UH community continued success and happiness. Just work hard, keep your chin up and question everything… even me.

Caster, a chemical engineering major, can be reached at patrioticcatmaster@yahoo.com