Wednesday October 10, 2001

Staff editorial on the mark

(Yesterday's editorial titled) "Get the facts, then make an educated decision" was one of the best editorials on the topic of the current war situation that I have read so far. It's a good reminder that we should all think carefully (and consider differing viewpoints) before we act and form opinions.

Jennifer A. Jensen

UA alumna

War will protect our freedom

I have had a pressing desire to speak out, and today became that day. Right now, I'm watching protestors in front of the Admissions building. Their signs read, "Stop the Hate," "Peace, not War" and "Yes to mourning the victims, No to war." All I'm thinking is, not all wounds can be healed with words. I understand how they feel, but I also realize how the world really works.

Having a father who served 22 years in the United States Air Force has helped me learn about peace, war and what it takes to keep a country alive. I have been taught patriotism, and I live with an undeniable pride for our nation and for its citizens who are free. I know that people are not born to fight, nor do they join our military to kill; they join to protect all Americans from those people who want to kill us. I have learned that words are spoken; debates and deliberation efforts are exhausted many times over. But often we are not taken seriously and are not heard as a nation; if at all, it is too little too late.

None of us want to go to war, it is the most heinous of last resorts. Who wants to leave their families to fight and die in a foreign country? Well, surprisingly many will do it - young and old alike. Veterans who have seen war before will proudly fight again. Men and women who know what needs to be done to secure peace volunteer to be first in line.

While these people are off fighting and dying, others are here talking, protesting and shouting words. So keep talking. While you speak of love and peace, our friends and loved ones are off protecting our freedom. They are overseas dying for our right to continue talking, protesting, loving and living peacefully in America. Show a little respect and realize what goes on here in the real world; that everything that could have possibly been done in peace hasn't stopped these extremists. That's what these terrorists are: extremists until the end. They won't stop until their point is proven.

We can only do what has worked in the past and what alone will stop a lethal enemy. God bless our nation, and long live our freedom.

Amanda Mucha

undeclared sophomore

Some overreacting to comics

I think that some students are overreacting just a little bit. Twice in the past week I have read letters complaining about the content and writers of the comic section of the Arizona Daily Wildcat. You don't have to read them.

If you dislike "Furnexistential" so much, then don't read it. If you don't think the comics are funny, why read them? The Arizona Daily Wildcat is one of the most consistent publications I have ever read. As an integral part of my academic day, I always make a point to read it. Especially the comics, if I don't have the time to read the entire paper. Wildcat staff: Keep up the good work! Dissatisfied readers: Stop reading the Wildcat if you're going to continue whining. Save the space for something important; like someone talking out of his butt!

Reillot E. Weston

pre-nursing junior

Loss of lives unavoidable

In Monday's Wildcat, I read some statements by Imam Omar Shahin regarding the evidence against Osama bin Laden. It seems easy to say that the U.S. government should just show everyone the evidence they have. The problem with this is that the evidence is probably heavily based on information from undercover agents in the Middle East. To reveal this information will compromise their missions and more importantly, their lives.

Killing innocent people was not acceptable to us either, which is why we retaliated. Our military does not target civilians, but unfortunately, innocent people are often casualties of war. If you think we should not attack terrorism because some innocent lives may be lost, tell that to the families and friends of the 5,000 innocent dead in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Frank Black

criminal justice junior

Wildcat editorials contradictory

I feel compelled to respond to recent editorials made by the Wildcat staff. Last week, you composed an editorial that essentially hid the culpability of the Republicans for the current fiscal crisis by suggesting that, at the root of this crisis, was the recent downturn in the economy, as opposed to the GOP's irresponsible budget and tax policies (i.e. tax cutting). This week, you contradict that assertion by claiming that current fiscal problems are the result of irresponsible tax cuts.

This latter view is certainly more accurate in describing the root of the current budget problems at this point in time. However, you once again hid the culpability of the Republicans by making the clearly erroneous claim that both the Democrats and the Republicans are responsible for this irresponsible tax cutting.

Since when have the Democrats made tax cutting central to their economic program and political rhetoric? On the contrary, tax cutting is known to be central to Republican economic policy and political rhetoric. Does the Wildcat editorial staff really believe that had the Democrats held the majority in the Legislature and held the executive office for all these years that we would have seen all this irresponsible tax cutting, which has mainly benefited big corporations and the well-to-do?

Michael Bowles

history and anthropology senior

US retaliation is necessary

After reading the story "UA community reacts to air strikes," I would like to respond to the comments made by several in the article.

Imam Omar Shahin contends that, "Two wrongs don't make a right. Killing innocent people is not acceptable." While his genuine notion is applauded by most, the comments refrain from realism. According to Mr. Shahin, a forceful response to prevent future attacks is not necessary, and instead, evidence should be brought to the Taliban government for prosecution of Osama bin Laden if found guilty.

The very notion of bringing him to an Afghan court is preposterous. Second, killing innocent people is not acceptable, but defending a nation against overseas aggression by mercenary-type fanatics sponsored by a foreign government warrants the use of military force.

If military action is not taken to further steps, with the possibility of ground troop deployment to eject the Taliban regime, countless civilian casualties will continue. I just cannot comprehend the comments that military force is unjustified.

Sheila Bapat also provides an ingenious way to end global terrorism: Freeze Bin Laden's assets in the United States. While this has apparently been done, I find this proposal shortsighted and ineffective in dealing with a problem far greater than one man and his money.

It is frightening to hear the comments in this article, and to read the many absurd remarks on the "Wall of Expression" near the UA Mall. It is obvious that the many "ripe-for-service" students at this university are unwilling to commit to any operation that could ensure the safety and freedom enjoyed in this nation today. When reading such remarks, one cannot help but consider these people to be selfish, enjoying the honey of America while preaching about another way of life.

I would rather fight today and take the chance of death than have my nephew die tomorrow working in his office in lower Manhattan because we neglected to do the right thing. Enough of the divisiveness and ignorance, and lets move forward with realism and determination.

Christopher P. Kitchen

regional development senior

UA at fault for student basketball-ticket fiasco

The university owes students an apology for allowing mob rule to dominate the basketball-ticket distribution. Many naive basketball fans like me did not get ticket vouchers because we believed the university when it said that there was no camping out and that no lines could form before 10 a.m. on Monday. The students that got tickets were the ones who flagrantly ignored the published rules and bullied the ticket office into opening early.

The university should apologize to the students for this spineless action for giving into mob rule and the unorganized method used to distribute tickets. The university had a plan to distribute tickets but did not follow it, in the process shutting out many excited students like me. Hopefully before next year, the university will devise and implement a fair system. But I won't be counting on it - I will be out there at 8 a.m. with the mob, because it seems to be in charge.

Walter Opaska

law student