Column off base
In Tom McDermott's, "Why Would Anyone Want To Be Conservative," he surely has raised the mighty pen to illustrate his defense of the status quo. The question should read more like this. "Why Is Anyone A Conservative?" I think a majority of Americans who are remotely interested in our political system could tell you.
It is because a certain segment of our population make $33 million a year running Texas oil companies. You see, they receive money from their affluent Texas oil buddies to run for president and vice president. Once they are "selected" for office, they must repay the favor. Therefore, they deregulate the pollution standards in their home state, devastate the ocean floors and arctic preservations with drilling and cut social programs that not only cut funding to "the children" but to women, disabled and any other American who is unable to care for themselves.
Tom, it isn't that Liberals fail to use logic or fact in our assessments of life. It is simply because our observations and life experiences make us more sophisticated to recognize the half truths and misleading that conservatives so ardently practice. If what you said is correct, "conservatism is the appeal to the mind, not the heart," we're in a lot of trouble! I think our current administration speaks for itself.
On a more "factual" and serious note, Liberalism is the understanding of the need for equality. In essence, it is the struggle for fairness and justice. Liberals seek equality not just for the persons making incomes exceeding $30 million, in tax breaks, but for all citizens who turn our economy and contribute to our land. Conservatives will not take the widest path, but rather embark through life on the narrower one. The reason anyone would be a conservative is because they do not seek knowledge and understanding but take a more simple approach; it's the easy way out. It is always easy to take the money and run. At least in the meantime.
Matt Amarillas
San Diego State University
Falun Gong not an ancient practice
This letter is in response to Ayse Guner's article "Group honors Falun Gong Victims." My intention in this case is to simply point out parts of the article that are inconsistent with the facts. To quote Guner, Falun Gong is "an ancient, yoga-like Chinese exercise involving slow body movements." In fact, Falun Gong is a very recent movement initiated by one man, a movement that is more than an exercise. It is in every way advertised in the guise of a new religious movement.
It is unfortunate that many believe Falun Gong to have a long-standing tradition in Chinese culture when such beliefs are ill-supported by the facts. Though it cannot be denied that Falun Gong has elements of many traditional Chinese beliefs incorporated into its foundation, to conceive of it as being historically equal to the other forms of traditional meditation techniques is simply incorrect.
Qi Cui
molecular and cellular biology and psychology junior
U.S. should not lift embargo
Cory Spiller just cannot get his facts straight. What Spiller views as "America's worst mistake" is something that I see as an action totally justifiable and right. Spiller claims the Cubans suffer because of the U.S. embargo and that there is social progress taking place in Cuba; sorry Cory, but Castro and communism still exist in Cuba, and until both are eradicated, nothing will ever change. The United States does not support communism. Historically we have seen what has happened when such ruthless dictators take power in the name of communism - the system does not work.
The United States is not acting like a bully. We chose to place an embargo on a country we do not agree with and feel that supporting it will allow communism to remain there. Spiller should not be surprised that the people who remain in Cuba support him. Castro controls the media. Furthermore, the old middle and upper classes fled to the United States, and now the only class left in Cuba is the lower class. I support the U.S. embargo against Cuba, and only when Cuba decides to eradicate communism should we even discuss ending one of America's best decisions.
Charles A. Peterson
history freshman
Letter immature, repulsive
This is in response to a letter written by Nikolaus Turner. I found Mr. Turner's comments to be extremely outlandish, immature and repulsive. They go against everything that the average out-of-state student believes in. Being that I am from Illinois, I know this from first-hand experience. While I may not be from Arizona, I am intelligent enough to understand that I must respect and appreciate the land and the resources that assist my higher learning at the University of Arizona. In writing his letter, Mr. Turner has proven that he is not a decent human being. He is living proof that colleges and universities in this country are not always home to the best and brightest. I feel that Mr. Turner should apologize to Ms. Lee for the moronic comments he made, because they do not represent the opinions of the majority of out-of-state students. From reading his letter, Mr. Turner seems like the type of person who knows how smart he is. Or in this case, how smart he is not.
Niall O'Connor
business sophomore
