Icecat crowd crossed the line

I would like to address this letter to Mr. Paul Bentz, who along with the entire 120 section, was thrown out of the Saturday, Jan. 12 Icecat game. My name is Mike, and I was one of the referees who had you and your entire section removed from the remainder of the game due to the fact that you dumped an entire cup of soda on a Colorado State player. It warmed my heart to see that there was at least one true sentence in your letter; the game did have all the makings of a legendary Icecat game. It was filled with the excitement of numerous fights, hard checking and in the end an Icecat win.

I enjoy fans who get involved and into games as much as the next person; it makes my job and the game much more enjoyable. However, there is a line that you and the rest of your little groupies of "excuse for hockey fans" crossed. Cheer all you want, yell at the officials and of course drink your beer, but the second that you begin to throw things on the ice you are not a "true fan." You are a moron and dangerous. A logical person, which you obviously are not, would think to themselves, "I have been ejected from three games already; just maybe I am doing something wrong." When you act like your entire section did, you show absolutely no class, which is why the University, rightfully so, tries to prevent people like you from getting into McKale Center in large groups. I think that it is safe to say that the Colorado State player who you harassed by pouring soda all over has more talent in his big toe then you do in your entire body.

In closing, a note of reminder: like you, I will also be at the rest of the Icecat games, and if you act like you did last Saturday, you and your entire section will get the same result: your early departure.

Mike the Referee

Women welcome to sign up

In Wednesday's "Sign Me Up!" editorial, Ms. Hall is absolutely correct in her assertion that women should be allowed to serve in the full spectrum of military specialties provided they meet the physical, academic and behavioral prerequisites set forth by legal mandate and operational requirements. Every Army branch except for the Infantry (including Rangers), Armor and Special Forces is open to women. Do our female soldiers serve in combat and combat support roles? Of course! One-third of my enlisted Military Police soldiers during the Gulf War were women, and they performed as well as their male counterparts. And there's no "glass pay ceiling" in the military - everyone earns exactly the same pay and benefits based on their rank.

Conversely, Caitlin's points became lost in the misinformed conjecture over the Selective Service. While Selective Service registration is mandatory for young men, it exists solely as a full mobilization contingency such as World War II. The draft ended nearly 30 years ago, and we've had an all-volunteer force since then. Debate over the Selective Service System arises periodically, and there's some merit to the argument for discontinuance; however, the latter is a budgetary issue and has nothing to do with gender equity issues. Either way, these decisions are made by those at the top of the totem pole, not us.

Come over to South Hall today and sign up for any one of our Army, Navy or Air Force ROTC courses and learn what we're really about. Learn firsthand about the organization, roles and missions of our armed forces, plus find out for yourself whether you have what it takes to meet the leadership challenge. If you're successful, we'll pin two gold bars on your shoulders so you can help your country and peers make things even more equal.

CPT Dan N. Clark, Ed.D.
UA Army ROTC Enrollment Advisor

Skeptical of Education Act

I couldn't agree more with many of the points addressed by the "Issue of the Week" staff in regards to President Bush's education plan. As a future educator, I too have qualms about many of the proposal's downfalls. There are three in particular I would like to address. First, allowing parents to transfer their children from poorly performing schools will hurt those schools in another way that no one thought of. Many schools receive funds based on the number of students in attendance.

Less students means less money, which will not help those disadvantaged schools become any better. Another problem is more standardized testing. As if there aren't enough standardized tests already imposed upon students, here goes Bush adding even more. While reading, math, and science are definitely important, more testing amounts to more focus on those subjects and less focus, and not to mention less time for, music and art, which are also important. In fact, studies have shown that students who are exposed to music and art during their elementary years perform better in other subjects.

Finally, there is the issue of teacher's pay. I do not plan on going into education for the money, but I do believe that the nation's teachers are grossly underpaid for the amount of work they put in, both inside and outside the classroom. Also, many teachers have to purchase their own classroom supplies with money out of their pockets. There is a nationwide shortage of teachers, which is only going to get worse in a few years. Maybe more people would consider going into the fields of education if they would be better paid. I hope that whoever succeeds Bush in the presidency will realize these things and formulate a new education plan, one that will really insure that no child will be left behind.

Jennifer Reik
pre-elementary education freshman

Rowdy Wildcat fans helped at basketball game

I just wanted to thank the group of guys that sat next to my friends and me at the USC basketball game last Thursday night. Their repetitive "USC sucks" was very comforting to hear. Since most of my best friends attend the "University of Spoiled Children," I have always had a strong personal rivalry with USC. Due to a memorable experience at the USC football stadium, I was just waiting to get back at them.

Last season, I attended the USC vs. Arizona game in Trojan Country - or should I say, Trojan Ghetto. Anyway, even though I was sitting with my friends in the USC section, I proudly wore my blue Arizona shirt. This was a bit obvious when I found our seats were about four rows up from the field. I prominently stood out from the rest of the crowd's bright maroon shirts. The cheerleaders stood in front of us. Mid-game, one of the guy cheerleaders climbed up into the stands and screamed, "Get this Cat outta here!" And the whole student section chanted, "Take off that shirt! Take off that shirt!" By this time, my friends and I were laughing too hard to notice that we had caught the cameraman's eye and were being displayed on the huge screens for the whole stadium to enjoy. What I found funny was that the score showed a very sad, sad football team on USC's part. I was like, "Shut up people! Do you see the score?" After we won the game, I proceeded to run through the crowds screaming "Go Cats." My USC friends were so proud they had brought me. ... Nonetheless, the harassment was nowhere near what these boys were screaming to the USC players, but it still felt good. It's like I have always said, "Trojans are good for one thing and one thing only."

And we all know that thing is not basketball. Go Cats!

Katy Weiss
media arts and psychology senior

Letting students leave bad schools fixes education problem

I somewhat agree with Mr. Wilson about the education dilemma facing Arizona. I do believe it is our leaders' fault but not for the same reason. I think we shouldn't tax the wealthier more than the working class (percentage wise) due to the fact that these wealthier folks need to employ workers one day. They will be able to employ more people if they have more income.

Plus, because of the amount of poverty in Arizona, we need to expect low test scores. It is a fact-places with higher poverty rates have lower test scores. Not because they don't have money, but the system has set them up to fail. The government has basically told these people that they can't make it on their own, and they need government assistance. This isn't a new trend but has originated from the start of affirmative action. Those that really want to succeed can in this society.

I do agree with you that teachers should be paid more. I also think the politics of the situation stink. But I think the remedy is to allow those students to leave the failing schools that will hold them back and allow those who do not care to suffer the consequences of their actions. Students that don't care at high quality schools will also fail.

Austin Given
pre-physiol sciences freshman

Cactus garden should be 'landmark for future students'

I was very pleased to see two letters in today's (Tuesday, Jan.15) Wildcat in opposition to the proposed Alumni Plaza. The cactus garden is gorgeous. I cannot count the number of times I have walked or biked past it and felt refreshed. It is one of the few spots left on campus that reminds me that I go to school in Arizona. Please save this landmark for future students.

Zach Wolff
philosophy and linguistics senior