As I, the Viewpoints sheriff, prepare to drive my tricked-out sheriff truck into the summer sunset, now is a time for reflection on where Viewpoints has been this semester. So get in the back of the truck and prepare for a world-class tour of Viewpoints County by the sheriff himself.

The first debate of the semester concerned "spirit" at basketball games. Some writers said profane displays of "spirit" crossed the line. Others said "fair-weather fans" had abandoned the team. While no agreement was found, the debate was, to say the least, "spirited." If the basketball team had showed that much heart, the debate wouldn't have even been justified.

Next, there was controversy over Raynor Library's entrance fee for non-Marquette persons, which was implemented after an attempted sexual assault in the library last semester. Some students thought the fee alienated Marquette from the surrounding community. True to form, several students proved Marquette is open to debate and new ideas, as they calmly and rationally accused the anti-fee Viewpoint authors of hating sexual assault victims.

Then, there was a debate over whether men's basketball coach Tom Crean was a "childish jerk" for not having UW-Milwaukee on the basketball schedule. Several students — taking a break from washing Crean's car, doing his laundry and breathing heavily on his voicemail — rose up to defend the coach. Once again, calm rationality came to the fore. There are probably radical mujahedeen in Afghan caves who read the pro-Crean Viewpoints and said, "Damn, now those people are intense!"

Also, throughout the semester, many students wrote Viewpoints to support their favored candidate for the 2004 presidential election. The election will surely continue to be a focal point next semester. However, as a former supporter of Gov. Howard Dean, I'm just glad I jumped off the U.S.S. "Yearggh!" before it capsized.

And let's not forget last week's feud between MUTV and me. A couple MUTV students took exception to my insinuation that no one watches MUTV. I'm glad they took the time to write Viewpoints to bash me, because if they had bashed me on the air no one would have seen it.

Finally, there are a few people I'd like to thank. First, thank you to everyone who wrote Viewpoints — you were a huge part of making this section a success. Second, thank you to Marianne Gosz, who is a terrific fellow columnist. Last, thank you to Claudia Panait, my best buddy, who named my column. Even though she's a Republican, her contribution to this column is greatly appreciated.

Well, the sheriff has surveyed the territory, and now it's time for me to take a four-month summer vacation (sheriffs are a lot like certain presidents in that way). Good luck on your finals and enjoy your summer.

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