Cancellation of read-a-thon a sign of Înaivete' and violation of freedoms

I was highly disturbed to hear that the read-a-thon was canceled due to fears of a "terrorist attack." It's times like these where we have to review the very real dangers of hierarchy taking away our freedoms under the banner of our own protection. The need to protect us from a terrorist attack is beyond asinine and shows a degree of naivete that scares me as it is a decision coming from a large university that is supposed to be a center of thought, reason and intelligence.

I would like to talk to the person who thinks there is even the remote possibility that terrorists are planning the diabolical demise of the Yankee infidel capitalist read-a-thon participants. I think that would be an interesting, albeit frustrating encounter. This decision has nothing to do with the war in Iraq either, as UA is not in any sort of danger from stray AK-47 fire from Basra. This is about irrational fears.

I do not think this should be left as it stands, as it sets an extraordinarily dangerous precedent. Complacency breeds an atmosphere that is much easier to take away freedoms due to irrationality. I believe we are all old enough to weigh the risk of being attacked by terrorists while at a read-a-thon.

Though I really wonder how capable the people are who suffer from irrationality to the extent that the threat of a terrorist attack ever crossed their mind. My suggestion to the coordinator of this event is to go on as planned, but without microphones or tents or any other equipment. All those things do not compare to the importance of the spirit of the people in attendance.

I for one would be there in support. And remember what Ben Franklin says, kids, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

Matthew Galanty
undecided sophomore

Experiencing terror will not make people unconditionally support war

I would like to personally applaud Phil Leckman for his Monday column titled, "Victims of terror denounce war." It's about time warmongers realize the absurdity of their arguments. Making the claim that "protesters," if directly affected by terrorism would boomerang their feelings about war from opposition to acceptance, is indeed ludicrous. The fact that many families of 9/11 victims have formed coalitions to stand against the Iraq war, the War on Terrorism and war in general shows that this argument is entirely invalid, as well as incredibly uninformed. I myself have met Vietnam veterans, as well as Gulf War I and II veterans, who are vehemently against all wars. The fact that this is a prevalent phenomenon thus de-legitimizes the latter argument perpetuated by the blind and gung-ho followers of our Great Leader G.B. II. Let it be known that in the words of Thomas Jefferson, if a government turns tyrannical, it is the duty of its people to overthrow it.

The fact that the current conflict in Iraq is considered illegal by international courts, as well as the fact that this war is a violation of the United Nations Charter, clearly shows that the Bush administration has indeed turned tyrannical. Perhaps it is time Americans learn about their own Constitution and realize that the civil liberties that once made this country great no longer exist. Regime change, then, according to Thomas Jefferson, should begin here at home. I myself, being an activist and a free thinker, will not let it be said that I sat idly by while this government progressively implemented a corporate, authoritarian rule. To all those who care, I say open your eyes and realize that wars have never, ever, solved anything. And please, WWII is not a counterexample to the latter claim, for corporate America supported the Nazi war machine until it realized it threatened its power. Don't believe me? Go to timemagazine.com and check out who was man of the year in 1938, 1939 and 1941. See for yourself.

Maximilien Valente
philosophy sophomore

Voicing opinions an integral part of American political system's survival

I disagree with Steve Campbell's Tuesday commentary about there being a time and place for dissent. Dissent is the backbone of democracy. Our whole system of government is based on everyone being able to voice their own opinions at any time they please in response to any issue. There is no time or place for any kind of opinion. If there were, we would be living under a tyrannical system of government, no better than the one being overthrown in Iraq. How can we know what we as Americans are about unless we are all allowed to express ourselves whenever and however we wish? I'm sorry the protesters are an inconvenience to some, but it would be foolish for them to put their convictions on the back burner until the war is over. What would that accomplish?

I support the troops, although I do not support this war. I support them because they are loyal to me and all of the other citizens of this nation.

I realize that some of the troops will miss milestone events in their lives and the lives of their families, but they enlisted knowing there would be sacrifices. I don't want to see people die, Americans or Iraqis. I am against the war because diplomacy and peaceful resolutions were not given a proper chance by the Bush administration. Therefore, I believe that you must give those who are opposed to the war a little more credit for wanting peaceful resolutions where troops and civilians suffer no casualties. If that isn't support for troops, and your fellow man, then I don't know what is.

Adam Palazzo
research technician Arizona Cancer Center

Cartoon drawing of Îstereotypical Frenchman' is Îexample of racism'

The nationally syndicated cartoon that appeared in the April 8th Wildcat (signed Monte Wolverton) gets the prize as the most blatant example of racism I have ever seen in a publication. It depicts a whole people (the French) as having negative stereotypical characteristics (cowardice, I guess) based only on their national origin.

This cowardice is illustrated by someone who looks nothing like any member of the French government (guilty of disagreeing with the U.S. government over Iraq), but strongly resembles the stereotypical Frenchman. The proof of this cowardice is obtained by drawing examples from the history of France. (Of course, each example is simplified to grade school level.)

I am not French and I am not particularly offended by the cartoon. I am however, extremely disturbed that racism can be deemed acceptable enough both for a national publication (where the cartoon originally appeared) and a college publication such as the Wildcat. I have seen plenty of cartoons poking fun at the attitude of George W. Bush, both in the U.S. and Europe. I have yet to see a cartoon that suggests that all Americans are bloodthirsty, ignorant cowboys, a caricature of "the American" many ignorant people around the world take seriously.

I am sure some flag-waving rednecks in the U.S. will really enjoy a cartoon that tells them that the 210,000 French who died resisting the Nazis "let Hitler into Paris because they admired his arrogance." I am also sure that some al-Qaeda supporters in the Middle East would really laugh at the cartoon that depicted NYC firefighters as too dumb to get out of a burning building.

However, I expected that, in the 21st century, people in the richest, most technologically advanced society in the world would have enough sense to refrain from enjoying inflammatory racism in its publications because of disagreements in politics. Sadly, I was naive.

Giorgio Torrieri
physics graduate student

New color scheme on ÎA' Mountain shows Îoverdue' support for France

It now appears that the Tucson City Council approves of painting the formerly white "A" on "A" Mountain with the solid field colors of red, white and blue. It is my understanding that the Council feels this action should not be construed by anyone as a political statement, and I agree. The decision to show our community-wide gratitude to our French allies and to support their apolitical opposition to a heinous war is long overdue. Vive la France!

Wayne Sumsting
UA alumnus

U.S. targeting innocent Iraqis and journalists as history repeats itself

History is repeated. Back in World War II, the Americans bombed Hiroshima, killing more than 150,000 civilians and forcing the Japanese to surrender. The American policymakers are doing it again with Iraq. They are using the same bloody, inhuman techniques of killing innocent people to push the Iraqis to surrender. And to hide their crimes, the Americans troops started killing journalists so that nobody will report what is happening. Four journalists were killed in a deliberate attack with two missiles (not one).

I am not defending the Iraqi regime, and in fact, I agree that Saddam is a dictator that should be exiled. However, by all means, this is not a justification for the Americans troops to go over there and destroy a nation like Iraq in the name of "liberation."

I am pretty sure that the Americans will win this war, but what they do not understand is that with each missile they send to Iraq, a new black page is added to the (short) history of the American civilizations. And I am afraid that, one day, the book will become so full of these black pages and eventually, the hatred against this country will be overwhelming to any defense machine.

Alaa Muqattash
electrical and computer engineering graduate student