To the Editor,
Cory Spiller's taunting of former President Reagan because of his recent broken hip and his continuing battle with Alzheimer's disease was disgusting. Can his commentary sink any lower? If so, I hope the Wildcat will have the good judgment not to print it.
Thomas Thompson
Associate Professor, Environmental science
To the Editor,
If I have to listen to another Republican complain about how evil and partisan the Democrats are being, I don't know what I'll do. First, it was Linda Chavez whining, "The game in politics is search and destroy." No kidding, just ask President Clinton. Next, it's the president of the College Republicans, who stated, "The liberals, including most of the Daily Wildcat staff, are trying to tear him (Bush) down and make the next four years difficult." Yes, that's correct from a liberal's opinion (I do not speak for the Wildcat), but please don't even try and complain. Clinton was harassed the day he announced he was running for President and barely managed to come out standing. It's almost unbelievable that the same people who have done everything in their power to hurt the Clinton/Gore administration from Day 1, now expect everyone to "play nice." Just to be clear, there is no way that is going to happen. Unfortunately for them, they now have to deal with the media, who loves to build anyone up and then bring them down. They have to deal with the public, who cares more about what mistakes the president is making instead of all the good he's doing. They have to deal with a Congress split down the middle. Bush and Cheney got what they wanted, a victory - but now they must deal with everything that goes with it. It's their turn to play defense, and all I can say is good luck - you're going to need it.
Melinda Mills
Political science junior
To the Editor,
Let's face it- we live in a society where money talks and everything is for sale. Advertising undoubtedly brings in a hefty sum of money to foot the cost of producing the Daily Wildcat, and it's no wonder that those in charge of advertising elected to include a sizable full-color supplement provided by the Human Life Alliance in the January 16th issue. With the money the Human Life Alliance paid to have their ideas publicized within the fold of the student-run periodical, the Daily Wildcat was probably able to purchase a new copier or maybe even a shiny golf cart with which to help distribute such propaganda. The inaccurate information dished out by the Human Life Alliance about abortion procedures and the organizations that provide such services is disturbing enough. However, the fact that the Wildcat even considered including such a politically charged commercial for anti-choicers in their publication is utterly loathsome. The Wildcat as a whole has a responsibility to its readers to remain neutral on controversial issues like abortion, the death penalty and affirmative action. While it is one thing to comment on such issues within the context of an opinion piece, to support advertisements and propaganda from politically based organizations such as the Human Life Alliance is an entirely different matter.
The inclusion of a blatantly right wing, anti-choice piece of propaganda in the Daily Wildcat does a disservice to their readership. The Wildcat would never (we hope) accept advertising supplements from a controversial organization like the KKK or the Christian Coalition, yet the paper seems perfectly okay with accepting money from right wing, anti-choice propagandists. Perhaps the Klan didn't offer enough financial inspiration for the Wildcat to sell out for.
Lydia Hallay, Women's studies and creative writing sophomore
April Huff, Women's studies and psychology junior
To the Editor,
Every Wednesday, I open the Daily Wildcat to the Perspectives page and I feel like vomiting. On a weekly basis, Cory Spiller oozes his liberal rhetoric upon the University of Arizona. However, this week he has taken cheap shots, without factual basis, at a quite impressive president, Ronald Reagan. Spiller begins by describing Reagan's two terms as "a disservice to our country." Apparently a "disservice" to our country results in impressive economic growth, an ending to years of nuclear standoff and huge approval ratings. If these things characterize disservice, then I, for one, hope that this "disservice" can continue with George Bush.
Spiller attacks again by calling Reagan's military buildup unnecessary. I am extremely happy that Reagan decided to build up the military; had he not, we might not be here right now after being hit with a Russian nuke in the mid-eighties. However, Reagan didn't back down to the USSR and continually strengthened our forces to keep us out of harm's way, this was most definitely necessary.
The preposterous rhetoric continues as Reagan is criticized for the recession that happened in 1982. This year, mind you, was one year after he stepped into office, taking over the terrible economy that was left to him by Jimmy Carter and feeling its effects. What Spiller fails to cite is the unprecedented economic boom that happened as Reagan's term progressed.
Spiller continues as he portrays Reagan as a heartless man who probably wouldn't have cared if "one of your grandparents had broken their hip while he was President." In fact, Reagan was known as a very personable person for a reason: he was. In fact, at times he would even send personal checks to private citizens that needed help covering the bills.
Finally, Spiller shows his disrespect the most as he accuses Reagan of conveniently getting Alzheimer's disease to avoid Iran-Contra. First of all, despite Reagan's non-involvement with the affair, he stepped up, like a true leader, and took responsibility for what team members did behind his back. Secondly, Alzheimer's is pretty much the most inconvenient disease on earth. I hope my grandmother (an Alzheimer's victim) didn't conveniently forget everything about her life, her husband and her children.
These are not only terrible lies and misconceptions that have been written, but extremely disrespectful to a man who served our country well and who may be enduring the worst part of his life right now.
Nathan T. Doyel
Finance and spanish literature sophomore
