Cartoon insinuating Saddam hiding behind Islam Īcheap'

In yesterday's Opinion and Editorial section, I was deeply offended to see another political cartoon depicting Islam as the enemy. The political cartoon depicts Saddam Hussein hiding "weapons of mass destruction" in mosques, rather than in buildings or his palaces. I feel that this cartoon is another cheap blow against Islam's reputation and the cartoon is hinting that Islam has something to do with the war against Iraq. The war against Iraq is a war against a dictator and a nation that is a threat to its neighbors because of its possible possession of weapons of mass destruction.

Political cartoons, especially the ones in university newspapers, should be informative and critical of current events. Putting weapons in the mosque only hints that Saddam Hussein is hiding behind Islam, and the picture only adds to people's bigotry and misunderstanding towards the religion and current events. I think I speak for most of us when I say we were deeply insulted and not impressed.

Muslims are sick of their religion being criticized because of a small minority of extremists. There is no point in critics continuing to kick a dead dog. The current problems with gay, child molesting priests have not made me critical of Christianity or any other religion. I mind my own business and religion, and respect others' beliefs, and I suggest everyone else do the same because we have far too many problems with religion as it is already.

Yousef Usta
biochemistry and Near Eastern studies junior

Students excited to find out that UA will be sent to Mars

In regard to your Monday article titled "NASA might send UA to Mars," my friend and I are both excited and confused by its title. While we did not actually read the article itself, the title implies that the UA will be sent to Mars.

Is this true? If so, can we go? Being that we are both seniors, will our graduation date affect the departure? Will our credits transfer? How will the budget cuts affect this monumental decision? Will the space tickets be dispensed in a more logical system than the basketball tickets? Surely you can't send all of us (including staff)! If there is some limitation or criteria as to who will be selected, do we apply through career services? Our resumŽs are available upon request.

If our assumption is not true, we believe that the Wildcat ought to reconsider the wording of their headlines, so as not to create pandemonium and chaos come boarding call.

Zach Robins and Michael Beer
business seniors

ĪRacist and simplistic' anti-Muslim letters justify hate

I am writing to express my disgust with the wave of anti-Arab and anti-Muslim opinions that were printed by the Wildcat this past week. I am referring to letters like, but not limited to, Wednesday's "Arabs want destruction of Israel, not Īthe ending of occupation,'" by Jeremy Slavin, and Jacob Levy's "Muslim terrorism record behind the blame, not discrimination."

It is incredibly disappointing how freely people like Mr. Slavin can make sweeping racial statements about Arabs, without any criticism from average Americans. You do not have to be an expert, or know anything about the conflict, to see that Mr. Slavin's ideas are not only untruthful, but also incredibly simplistic and idiotic. Any article that claims that the root of the problem lies with Arab people or the Jewish people is not worthy of being regarded as an intellectual or educational contribution to the debate.

Mr. Levy's letter is equally unworthy of being regarded as anything more than rambling. His letter only serves to justify discrimination against innocent Muslims and those who look Muslim living here in America who only want to live their lives free from the kind of hate and discrimination that Mr. Levy so vehemently defends.

Perhaps most of the educated students are too busy with the end of the semester to submit articles that actually contain insight into the Middle East conflict and the problem with discrimination against Muslims, and therefore, the Wildcat had no other choice but to print these letters and other letters last week by the likes of Mr. Slavin and Mr. Levy. Nonetheless, students at the UA, no matter how busy, should take the time to write an article, even just a couple lines, to the Wildcat, letting the Wildcat know that such racist and simplistic views are not what UA students believe.

Armand Navabi
computer science senior