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Letters to the Editor

Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wednesday May 1, 2002

Students like ĪStuff I Hateā

I am a senior and will be graduating next Saturday, and today will be the last time I get the Wildcat. For a long time now, N.C. Wintersā ćVoice of Doom,ä and more specifically ćStuff I Hate,ä is the first thing I read every day when I grab the Wildcat. I just wanted to commend him on his comic, thatās all. I like the sick, sarcastic sense of humor. Itās a good reminder that not everybody at UA belongs to one of those large homogenous ćsocialä organizations, even though at times it seemed that way, and I know a lot of people feel the same way. Keep up the good work, dude. Good luck.

J. Ryan
german studies senior


A big thank you to UA

I would just like to say thank you for the wonderful four years Iāve had here at the University of Arizona. When I came to this school from Lake Havasu City, the hottest place on Earth, I expected to find all of the stereotypes that accompany a huge state school. I was wrong. Instead of a number, I was a face; instead of boring lectures, I found inspired words; and rather than feeling alone, I became part of a community. In spite of all of its problems (despicably low state funding, poor faculty retention and overcrowding to name a few), this university should be proud of itself and the amazing education it provides on a bargain budget. Hopefully, the state Legislature will soon realize that it is time to invest in something that has immeasurable returns: higher education. The only way for this university to survive the storm ahead is for it to rely on the pride and support of its students, faculty and staff. I sincerely hope that the graduating class of 2002 will not forget its alma mater, but instead look back in fond remembrance on its days in the red-brick haven, and will, someday, return the favor. So, I say so long, but not goodbye to the home of the Wildcats. Bear Down!

Tiffany Podbielski
political science senior


Where is UAPD?

I have been on campus now as a student and full-time staff since 1999. Iāve run errands all over, Iāve taken classes all over, I walk my dog through and around campus on some Saturdays, and I can honestly say that I donāt even know what color the UAPDās uniforms are. Iām here at 6:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and itās the same ö I see no one. My wife and have been talking about this for the past few years.

Dennis M. Haymore
Graduate College Admission office specialist, senior


UAPD is not superhuman

The students that were mentioned in the April 30 Wildcat article blasting the UAPD need to grow up! If they think that it is UAPDās responsibility to handhold them to provide safety when they canāt even be bothered to make sure that unauthorized parties arenāt entering the halls, then they should seriously consider whether they are mature enough to even be at this university ÷ or any other higher learning institution for that matter. That would be akin to the average citizen expecting the cops to be posted outside their house and every other house in the neighborhood if there had been a crime spree in that area. Hereās a shocker kids ... things arenāt as easy as whining to the administration out in the REAL world. You donāt have an RA living with you when you strike out on your own to watch over your every move to make sure you donāt do something stupid. You donāt have advisors telling you what you need to do when you are having trouble making decisions. In response to Mark Kiranās remarks about his main purpose of being at the university is to be a student and stopping crime is UAPDās, that is such a ridiculous argument. So all the studentsā ćjobsä are to just be a student? There is no need for them to take any kind of responsibility for their own actions or safety? Boy, that is an interesting way of looking at things. So if I was to apply that same reasoning, then my main responsibility is to be a business manager and I donāt need to worry about anything else outside the scope of that. What a liberating concept that is!

Certain students on this campus better start growing up and realizing that the world doesnāt revolve around them and that no one owes them anything. Scott Cheney (ASUA senator) seemed to think that the cost of living at and attending the university should cover just about every expense imaginable. Iām sure that Mr. Cheney was also one of the senate members that was shouting the loudest in opposition to the proposed tuition hikes. Typical. Demand everything with no regard to expense and then let others figure out how it will be paid for. I, for one, am proud of the job that UAPD does on this campus. But then again I lock my doors at night and donāt let strangers into my house. Call me crazy!

Cristina Ballard
business manager, UA teaching center


Professor Smith acted professionally

I understand that there has been some serious criticism of Charles Smithās article discussing the Middle East in the Thursday and Friday Wildcat. I read the letter in draft form (but not the actual letter) and thought it balanced. There were some points, and some interpretations, where we disagreed but I told him what my position was and that was that.

As far as I saw, Smith wrote nothing that was unprofessional. Of course, as an academic, and as an expert in the Middle East, he is far more knowledgeable than I am about events in that part of the world. However, I clearly indicated to him that I was a strong supporter of Israel and that what was right or wrong in international law is in the eye of the beholder.

Discussions and disagreements promote thought and understanding. Smith, in my opinion, wrote nothing that should have provoked emotional responses or personal attacks. On the other hand, if people interpret events differently, they should not be accused of failing to communicate ćthe truth.ä

Leonard Dinnerstein
history department professor


Dorm bathrooms need locks

I am a parent of a female resident at La Paz Residence Hall where two sex crimes have occurred in the past week. The second crime occurred in the womenās bathroom after a 24-hour lock-down was imposed. I am concerned that the complete lock-down may actually increase the risk to the women in the hall. I take some comfort in the fact that my daughter is often accompanied by her male friends when she walks on campus.

However, with the 24-hour lock-down she has to walk through the hall alone to let them in. La Paz Residence Hall has many areas where a person might hide and where assaults could take place. I like the idea of the 24-hour lock-down but would propose that one unlocked entry be provided where a person is posted to oversee who enters and leaves the building. I would also propose that the bathroom doors be locked so that they can be entered only by those who have bathroom keys or combinations. I worked for years in high rise buildings in a major metropolitan area. Without exception, where the public was allowed into buildings, the bathrooms could only be entered with a key or combination. This should be done immediately.

Sheila Kirchheimer


Research benefits students

I beg to differ with Dr. Toddās question in his Monday commentary: ćWhy should students feel loyal to UA if the only professors who take the time to know their name and take a personal interest in their progress are at best denied rewards anywhere near equal to those of professors who never bothered with them, and at worst, are dismissed from the university?ä As a student in the English department, I have personally benefited from the role model that certain professors in our department offer.

They both publish research and are committed to teaching. Amazing. Itās called being grown-up. Itās not as though the university pulled any surprises on Dr. Todd. Perhaps heās not cut out for teaching at the university level, which (surprise!) requires research of its professors.

The sooner Dr. Toddās contract expires, the better. His conclusions are questionable for a ćsenior lecturerä in political science.

Christa Selig
senior majoring in English


Gay cable channel

This is in response to the article about the new homosexual cable channels. I know that the Wildcat did not write this, but you did print it. What is the world coming to? All I hear from these homosexual groups is how they are being singled out and donāt want that. Now they have their own cable channels. Are you joking me? When is the madness going to stop?

I have nothing against homosexuals and I do believe that they should be treated equally in the eyes of the world, but where does the line get drawn? Why canāt homosexuals watch heterosexual television?

Is this new channel supposed to liberate homosexuals around the world? This nonsense is getting so ludicrous that next thing you know, there is going to be an all-Christian cable channel and then an all-Jewish cable channel and then an all-underwater-basket-weaving channel. Hey, what about all of the hairy people in the world, I think they need a cable channel, too.

Donāt forget about people with big moles on their faces, because they definitely need their own personal cable channel, maybe even two channels.

In this new digital cable age where there are thousands of channels and nothing to watch, when is it going to stop?

Chad Schneider
marketing junior


Liar, liar pants on fire

As an individual who attended the Board of Regents meeting on April 16 at Harvill, I wanted to reiterate my position: If tuition is raised, I said, then the Arizona Legislature should raise the minimum wage.

Since this has not happened, and there will now be a 4 percent tuition increase, my second option is that the students at NAU, ASU and UA boycott their respective schools.

Without students, the system has no reason for being.

Another of my observations at this meeting was: There is a great deal of costly and unnecessary construction ongoing on the UA campus.

Recently, I had a nice chat with Ray Quintero. (He was on the Police Advisory Panel regarding the April 2, 2001 riot while I was a hostile witness.)

He informed me that all of this construction was being funded by bonds and did not involve any funding from student tuition.

Dr. Likins has publicly made the same claim on more than one occasion.

Now we have an article in the Fridayās Tucson Citizen that establishes that $118 million was collected at the UA this year from student tuition and that ć17 percent went toward debt service on building projects.ä

The question before the student body is: Is the doctor in the house? Well, he is, but we canāt be sure if heās telling the truth. Especially for a man who collects money by the shovel-full ö 320 big ones a year to be exact.

If you see smoke coming from someoneās drawers, youāll know who it is. Oh, and one other thing: I just dropped a black pebble off at the base of the Shoshone warrior in front of the Main Library.

If youāre against the 4 percent increase, I suggest you do likewise. If you are for the increase, a white pebble will suffice. This is the way it was done in ancient Athens.

I keep remembering the tears streaming down the face of the student who spoke at the April 16 meeting, and the chiseled faces of the Board of Regents, relentless and cold.

Now we have a new Trail of Tears ÷ students like this girl who will not be able to reregister because they do not have enough money for tuition.

Thanks Ray for giving me a jump start on this, and suggesting that I send it in.

Michael J. Beisch
Tucsonan


Dubya Īsmartest person aliveā

Thank you, dearest Arizona Daily Wildcat, for finally throwing in some historical context to the ongoing ćdiscussionä regarding tensions in the Middle East. I was disappointed that you had not done so up until Thursday, but then again, I didnāt request it, so Iām partially to blame, no?

On the other hand, itās too bad that, despite the obvious complexity of the issues in the Middle East, I had to see an apparently one-sided, pro-Israel, big Israeli flag-waving Hillel gathering in front of Old Main on Thursday. OK, OK, I donāt know that it was one-sided. That damn flag-waving bit kept me well clear. Regardless, I had imagined theyād be a more progressive bunch or, in the unlikely situation that it wasnāt one-sided, at least more thoughtful about their means.

And on a random note ... Iāve got a little theory going. Dubya is the SMARTEST PERSON ALIVE! No, Iām serious. OK, ask anyone what the purpose of life is. Almost everyone in a guess or two will say, ćhappiness,ä no? Then, assume that he actually thinks what heās doing is best for the world (which isnāt unreasonable for someone born into money and Yale-educated). Now, tell me who has lived a better life? No one! Heās a coke-hogging, Ivy League cheerleading frat boy who got to own his own pro baseball team, and is now arguably the most powerful person in the world. I dare you deny me.

Eric Flewelling
planning graduate student


Church will act appropriately ÷ have faith

As an 18-year-old born-and-raised Catholic, I can say with the utmost conviction that I have never, and will never, be ashamed to be Catholic. Although the Church is going through a dark and difficult time, I have complete faith that we as a religious community will deal appropriately with those priests accused of sexual abuse and take the necessary precautions to protect the youngest members of the Church.

In response to Sarah Hartwellās letter on Friday, I must say that I was deeply offended by her crude and hateful remarks, and that her bigoted slander against the Church reeks of ignorance. I sincerely doubt that many people, Catholic or non-Catholic, would call the Churchās leadership ćimmoral, incompetent and corrupt.ä I believe that most informed individuals would agree that Pope John Paul II is a man of honor and integrity, who has done more than his share to promote peace, understanding and social justice throughout the world. Furthermore, I believe you will find that the vast majority of the Churchās hierarchy is comprised of decent, respectable, intelligent and caring individuals who in no way condone the actions of a small minority of the clergy.

It is very easy to stereotype a diverse organization of more than 1 billion individuals worldwide when you overlook the facts in order to serve your own hate mongering ideology. The truth is that every year in the United States alone, the Catholic Church donates more than $2 billion to help people in need. Every day the Church around the world works to reduce poverty and famine, and to provide shelter and health care for millions of people, among many other things. It is very easy to paint a negative picture of the Catholic Church when you overlook the fact that for every case of sexual abuse, there are literally thousands of cases of Catholics worldwide attempting to serve their fellow human beings and change the world for the better.

I am sorry to burst your bubble, Ms. Hartwell, but your interpretation of Church teachings is also grossly inaccurate. The Church is far from being an organization of absolutes, and for your information, the Church does not condemn abortion when the motherās life is in danger.

So please, Ms. Hartwell, in the future keep your hateful comments to yourself, and remember that it is better to keep silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Joseph Rojas
psychology freshman

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