It is OK to say "black"
To the editor,
There was problem in the Arizona Daily Wildcat on Nov. 8.
The Wildcat's apology and justification should not have appeared. The Wildcat did nothing wrong, and this editorial makes the Wildcat appear as if it has chosen to follow a few students' unjustified complaints. When describing a suspect for a crime, race is an important factor in determining physical characteristics. The reason "white" is not used to identify white suspects is because society is composed of a majority of white people-if no description is expressly written the suspect is assumed to be white. A question for those individuals with complaints, and members of the Wildcat staff: You don't really think that a description similar to the one mentioned in the Wildcat, "wearing a green shirt and brown pants," has any relevance, or will help in any way to identify the suspect, do you? Next time I see someone wearing a green shirt and brown pants should I assume he is the suspect?
Race is a dominant physical characteristic, and regardless of how much those individuals complaining would like everyone to "look" the same it will not happen. I applaud the Wildcat for not conforming to society's trendy standard of removing words such as "black" and "white" because they might offend someone. Race problems are disappearing from society, and people having a problem with physical descriptions seem to be only relying on the fact that they can say anything they want because anyone opposed to what they say would be labeled a racist. Race as a description is valid and has nothing to do with personality. I don't know why the Wildcat would try to "ensure this does not happen again." It is necessary, it should happen again. Physical descriptions do not demean people, come on, wise up.
Matt DeMartini
Undeclared freshman
Benefits of Bush presidency
To the editor,
Welcome to the new era . . . the era of me! It is so awesome that I can finally pursue my million-dollar career/bitchin' SUV without thinking about anyone . . . but me! (Yeah, things were groovy under Uncle Bill, but .. .) Thank God W. is here because we want what we deserve. I didn't go to college just so I could pay taxes(?) so some lazy bums could live off of welfare! In this brave new world of W. we can say "Go screw!" once and for all to all those lazy poor people who refuse to go out and get good-paying jobs. We can say "Stick it!" to all those women who think they should have autonomy over their bodies-as if they have a choice? (Right!) Thanks to W. we'll all be on an equal playing field-no special treatment for those "Others"-you know, those non-white, non-straight, non-male people you see on the news. Yes sir, W. will make everything better because companies will be able to run roughshod over us and the environment! Profits will soar; the "others" will finally be put in their place; our lord Jesus Christ will rule supreme-this must be heaven!
Mike Shallcross
English graduate student
No excuse for Downing
To the editor,
What a pleasure it was to note that Demitri Downing was not elected to the Arizona State House of Representatives. Here is someone who clearly has a very dim understanding of democracy. To say that "the fucking Green Party" severely hurt his chances of winning, that they took votes away from the Democrats, displays amazing arrogance and ignorance. Contrary to what Demitri and many other Democrats obviously believe, the political process is not the exclusive domain of the Republicans and Democrats. My understanding is that any citizen has the right to stand up and say "I would like to represent you and your interests in government." After presenting their views and agenda, the electorate then decides who they feel would best serve their interests. Is Demitri upset that someone other than a Democrat or Republican stood up to be counted, or that part of the electorate felt that this third person better represented their interests? Does he think the electorate is an ass? Every candidate started on election day with zero votes.
The Green Party did not "steal" votes from anyone. They earned their votes.
Why whine about the Greens, and not the Republicans? Clearly, by Demitri's warped logic, the Republicans "stole" more votes from him than the Greens did. Perhaps rather than pouting about the additional competition, Demitri should have explained to voters why he would serve their interests better than any of the other candidates. Many countries have more than two political parties, and the sky has not fallen down. If people feel that the two main parties do not represent their interests, don't you think it's better that they vote for someone they believe does, rather than simply opt out of the political process altogether? Clearly, Demitri and other Democrats get more upset about people voting for a third candidate than they do about people not voting at all. The Democrats need to cool their heels on the political sidelines until their understanding of democracy improves.
Robert Cousland
Speech and hearing sciences graduate students
Thank you for 301
To the editor,
The voters of Arizona deserve a big "Thank You" for their commitment to education. They demonstrated their dedication by voting for Proposition 301 which will increase sales taxes by six tenths of one percent and generate money to support education at all levels.
As I have engaged in conversations with citizens from all across this State about the value of education, I began to sense a shift in public opinion about 18 months ago, but this vote provides the first solid evidence of that change. It is now clear that Arizona believes in education. Voters understand that a strong system of education directly impacts the quality of life for all of us. Employers search for well-educated employees to fill the higher-paying jobs. Men and women who have had a sound education tend to have healthier, more secure lives. Now the voters have told us in powerful voices that they are willing to pay for better education out of their own pockets.
In 1885, the character of the Territory of Arizona was changed within a few short years when the legislature decided to establish a university and two teachers' colleges. The graduates of those institutions started businesses, operated productive mines, ranches and farms; formed public policies and established cultural organizations such as museums, ballet and theater companies. The teachers trained in the teachers' colleges began opening schools all over Arizona, providing for the possibility of literacy in every community. As the 20th Century unfolded, the success of Arizona's public universities became increasingly important to the success of the State.
The new millennium calls for Arizonans to reinvigorate their State and its support of education. The passage of Proposition 301 has the potential to be the catalyst for change in ways we can only imagine. In a knowledge-based economy, many of the best ideas that are generated in strong universities are transferred into the community to become successful business ventures. As one dramatic example, 60 or more optics companies that have sprung up in Tucson can be traced directly to the optics program at the University of Arizona. Proposition 301 will provide much needed support for other good ideas that can stimulate other parts of our economy.
Thank you, voters, for speaking with a clear voice about the importance of education.
Peter Likins
UA President
Police handled SAS situation
To the editor,
For most of the day on Thursday, the university had a hostage situation. The Students Against Sweatshops were up to their old tricks again. Hundreds of people were trapped inside. Others with urgent business to take care of were prevented from entering. I think that it was totally inappropriate to hold office workers in the building against their will just to pull off some pathetic publicity stunt! Sure, the SAS members will get their names and pictures in the paper, they can boast about their protests to their friends and family. Aside from that, what have they accomplished? What is proven? This doesn't help their cause! Why don't you anti-sweatshop people stick with harassing Peter Likins, and keep the rest of the student population out of your battle. We all know what you stand for, and many of us agree, but you're just making yourselves lose favor in the eyes of the people that you should be trying to win to your cause.
I thank the loyal members of the University Police Department and other law enforcement agencies for putting a peaceful end to this non violent insanity! Although I would have liked to have seen some tear gas being used, and police in riot gear, I'd say that overall the situation was handled well.
Jason Patrick
Creative writing junior
