| Interview
by Tim Runestad Aztec Press |
Justyn Dillingham, 21, Editorial Editor, long-time reporter, copy-editor, critic, name-dropper, wise guy, scourge of conservativism and resident all-around contrarian at the Aztec Press.
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Q: How long have you been on the Aztec Press staff?
A: Since Spring 2002.
Q: What's your program major?
A: Right now it's
journalism. I've been told that it's not a very impressive-looking degree
if you're a journalist so I've been thinking of switching to Home Ec. Is
that even a major?
Q: It should be. I'd take it. Where you from?
A:
Tucson, Arizona. Ever heard of it?
Q: Funny guy. How long would you like to remain here?
A: I'll be out of here as soon as they take these handcuffs
off.
Q: O-kay. Where would you like your writing to take you?
A: I'd like to see the world - London, Calcutta, Paris, New
Zealand. Not in that order. I don't know if my writing will necessarily
take me there, but I don't think it'll stand in the way. Unless my next
editorial calls for the king of India to be beheaded or something.
Q: Does India have a king?
A: Beats me. If they don't
have one, I'll gladly volunteer for the position.
Q: So when was the last time you got a haircut?
A: I
was actually going to get one today. People keep mistaking me for their
sheepdogs. One guy tried to feed me a doggie biscuit. I told him it wasn't
my brand.
Q: I'm waiting for the rimshot. Your political sensibilities are
well known to readers of the Aztec Press. What was the most harrowing
criticism you've ever received in print or in person?
A:
Someone said I was so genetically twisted I couldn't even write a straight
piece for the classified section. He might have meant it as a compliment,
though.
Q: You spend a lot of time ranting about the Bush
administration. If you and W. were neighbors, would you let him watch your
house while you were on vacation?
A: Only if he let me watch
his house when he went on vacation. I'd throw a wild weekend bash and
invite Clinton over to play the sax. Then we'd leave Al Gore to clean up
the mess.
Q: What about borrowing your records?
A: Whoa, no
way. There are relatives I'd rather lend out than my records.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment at the Aztec Press?
A: Last year a bunch of us stayed overnight in that room at the
Clarion Hotel that's supposed to be haunted. We were hoping we'd get a
story out of it but nothing materialized, so to speak. The other memorable
moments I can't tell you about.
Q: Why not?
A: I plead the Fifth.
Q: You can only plead the Fifth if you haven't answered any
questions yet, so fess up.
A: Get away from me, you sleazy,
pandering, prying hack! What kind of vile, degraded rag do you write for?
Q: The Aztec Press. Ever heard of it?
A: Sure. Best
damn newspaper in the country.
Q: Really?
A: Well, at least in the county.
Q: Uh huh. And when you say "county," I bet you mean "college."
A: Yep. Best damn newspaper for at least fifty meters
around!