Illustration by Arnulfo Bermudez
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Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wednesday April 9, 2003
On Monday, the Tucson City Council voted 7-0 to paint the "A" on Sentinel Peak red, white and blue. For many decades, the "A" was painted white as an icon of the University of Arizona. Over the years, the "A" has been decorated various colors ranging from Sun Devil maroon and orange to green for St. Patrick's Day. Because "A" Mountain is city property, a permit is required to paint the "A." Seeking an arena for expression, an unidentified group painted the "A" black as an icon of the anti-war movement. Disagreeing with the new color, the local radio station KRQ led a campaign to repaint the "A" red, white and blue, symbolizing American patriotism. Then, in protest, an unidentified group painted the leg of the "A" white with a black peace sign. Should the color represent the sentiments of Tucson community? As members of UA, what should be done with the "A" on "A" Mountain?
ÎA' color issue an just an example of silliness
Tucson faces monumental issues these days with no clear solutions: Traffic, health care, growth and jobs are just a few. But, no matter how Tucson's latest controversy turns out, these problems will remain without remedy.
The issue of what color the "A" on "A" Mountain should be has gone from childish to completely out of control. The protesters who painted it black to make a political statement were wrong, but the radio station disc jockeys and City Council members who painted it red, white and blue without a permit were equally wrong. The "A" on "A" Mountain stands for the University of Arizona and has been white for decades. Painting it red, white and blue to make a political statement is no more appropriate than painting it black. The "A" is owned by the city and, thus, belongs to everyone ÷ not just those who stand on one side or the other of the war debate. No one has been swayed to a change of opinion on the war by the color of the "A." If the radio station DJs wanted to show patriotism in a time of war, they should have sent letters to our troops abroad and left the "A" white.
Kendrick Wilson is a political science sophomore. He can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.
ÎA' arguments will continue
In a time eclipsed by a controversial and politically charged war, the American flag has become a symbol for much more than our nation. It has become a symbol for whatever our country has become a symbol of ÷ freedom, liberty, imperialism, greed, goodwill and a host of other things, depending on who one asks. No matter how we disagree on the meaning now attached to the red, white and blue, however, we can agree on one thing: that meaning has become muddled.
The face of a visible Tucson landmark is not an appropriate place to play out such a chromatographic debate. The City Council's decision to make "A" Mountain into a mock-up of the American flag once and for all will not end that argument; it will fuel it. Those who disagree with the symbolism, and hence the meaning, of the mountain will seek to counter the blow with another of their own, escalating a needless and inappropriate conflict. Of course, some say it can't be painted white now because that would symbolize peace. Black symbolizes mourning. Yellow: cowardice. Red: blood. Green: envy. Purple: imperialism. Perhaps the City Council should consider investing in the most potent symbol of all, and just have the rocks cleaned. That way, once all the muck and makeup is removed, we can see what really remains · gray.
Caitlin Hall is biochemistry and philosophy sophomore. She can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.
Operation Camouflage
You know what I've always wanted to see? I've always wanted to see the "A" on "A" Mountain painted in a camouflage motif. Now how cool would that be, seriously? We could have a nice Desert Storm-colored pattern; it'd be great, the children would absolutely love it. It would be a much better solution than your standard-issue "protester black," which is so out of style.
The desert camouflage would also blend better with its surroundings, and besides, we all know how hot black can get during the summer. Also, I think it would be perfect means of defense against protester defacement because protesters wouldn't be able to find it (remember, it's camouflaged). I can just imagine a Honda Hybrid full of protesters and paint pulling up to the top of the mountain saying, "Where the hell's the ÎA' ?" and then turning around and leaving to go enjoy a nutritious meal at Taco Bell.
Because of this, there would no longer be any need for security guards to patrol the mountain; thus we save money, and the much-needed security is allowed to return to the El Con Mall. Who knows, maybe even the money saved on security guards could go toward having a few more classes available, but then again, this is all hypothetical.
Cody Angell is a studio art senior and the illustrations editor. He can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.
Nation's colors don't represent pro-war stance
Anti-war protesters want it black. No, wait. They want a peace sign painted on it. No, that won't work · how about painting it white again?
I've got an idea. Why don't we paint it the colors that it should be during a time when our country is at war?
Some anti-war protesters want to make it a political issue in another attempt at pushing their views onto others. Why not? Nothing else is working.
The truth is, there is no room for politics when it comes to supporting our troops. Since when do the colors, red, white and blue represent a pro-war stance? They don't. They are our nation's colors during peacetime as well as war. They are a symbol of patriotism.
As some anti-war activists say, "You don't have to support the war in order to support the troops." We can see that when they carry our nation's colors during their peace march.
So, what's the difference?
The difference is in the people who are demonstrating against the war. Some really do support our troops and are not confused about how to show it. Others think that if they show support for our troops, then they are somehow supporting the war.
Which one are you?
Steve Campbell is a senior majoring in Spanish. He can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.
Country needs to get priorities straight
Life in America is a confusing anomaly that most of the time I do not try to explain. We are in a country with more than 40 million people in poverty and without health care, where our elected officials hassle over trivial things. While our troops fight in Iraq, obeying the call of duty for which they volunteered, officials might want to consider taking care of concerns that matter in soldiers' lives and of their families when they get back here.
I am angered when guys like Congressman Bob Ney (R-Ohio) make it a passion to change french fries and french toast to freedom fries and freedom toast.
It certainly doesn't help our soldiers to use the word "freedom" when you help pass a bogus economic stimulus package, does it?
The color of an "A" on some mountain falls into that same useless category. So it's the color of red, white and blue to support our troops while they are spilling blood for our country? Good, that works fine for me. If it were painted the same plain old white that is was before that would be fine, too. Let's get on to real issues and do work for real people instead of making a big deal out of nothing.
Bill Wetzel is a creative writing and political science junior. He can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.
ÎA' not the place for political agendas
By voting yesterday to retain the "A" on Sentinel Peak's "patriotic" color scheme while removing a peace sign from its central strut, Tucson's City Council adds additional fuel to what has become a classic small-town political farce. The decision to keep the "A" red, white and blue is patriotic grandstanding, pure and simple. While the Council members will no doubt earn points with many of their constituents for their ostensibly courageous actions, they ought to be ashamed for getting involved in such a silly debate.
As a letter in Monday's Arizona Daily Star pointed out, a pile of rocks and 88 years of white house paint hardly amounts to an inspiring or appropriate public monument. While it may have some peripheral historic value, the "A" is not a symbol of either Tucson or the American people. It's a mark of "Wildcat pride," sure, and a nice tradition for the UA freshmen who repaint it every year. But does that make it worth the time and attention of the people who are supposedly running our city? Painting the "A" for any purpose is an act akin to writing graffiti on a bathroom wall ÷ we should follow the lead of janitors everywhere, restore its original white colors scheme, and turn our attention back to more important matters.
Phil Leckman is an anthropology graduate student. He can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.
