Editor:
On Thursday, October 25th I attended the gubernatorial debate hosted by the University of Wyoming at the A&S Auditorium.
What surprised me weren’t the candidates’ stump speeches or the standard questions asked, but the utter lack of respect our student body has in the face of differing opinions. This included jeers and booing, not just after candidates spoke, but during their allotted time. It was disrespectful and unbecoming of what claim to be civic-minded college students.
Anyone who knows me understands that I am not a fan of anyone on that stage, not Mary Throne, not Mark Gordon, not Lawrence Struempf, and not Rex Rammell. I disagree with the slate on a number of issues. However, they all deserved a chance to speak, and while some were given that opportunity, others were laughed at and were not given the respect they deserve. I am not only saddened by the students’ behavior, but also the feeble attempts by moderators to stop it, and even one moderator’s effort to get a further reaction from the crowd, saying “You’re not debating me, Rex.”
I am a Wyoming Cowboy through and through. The world truly needs more cowboys, but what it doesn’t need is the sad display seen on Thursday night. For the first time in my life, I was ashamed to be associated with the student body and am sorry that this was what UW had to offer.
Joe Rubino
