Merging Russian and German is like mixing apples and oranges

I cannot believe the complete absence of logic involved in the idea to merge German with Russian and Slavic studies. There is a reason why it is Russian and Slavic studies ÷ there is a connection between the language and history of the Russians and other Slavic peoples. There is no subsequent connection between Russian and German. Their languages are such that the word for "German" in Russian translates into "deaf-mute" due to their fundamental differences.

A merger would corrupt the close relationship between the faculty and the students. It would harm not only the students (who, and let's try to remember this, President Likins, this university is supposed to serve), but also two outstanding departments. If a student wished to combine Russian and German studies into a major, it can already be done with an interdisciplinary degree through University College.

We should be trying to improve the university using common sense and logic, rather than closing our eyes and randomly selecting programs to axe/butcher.

Jessica Lynn Ubry
Russian and physics senior

Take time to learn more about Îdiverse Muslim community'

I am concerned about the ignorant views that Silas Montgomery has shared about Islam and many things he has written that contradict the very nature of our free and democratic system. I would like to share a quote from the Holy Quran where God says, "I have created ye in many nations and tribes so ye may get to know one another (not to despise one another)."

I hope and pray that people with his views do take the time and visit a local mosque or Islamic center and learn about the diverse Muslim community. I remember in Tucson there is a mosque near the Manzanita-Mohave residence hall. They used to have many programs about Islam in America as well as having tours of the center. I learned a great deal about Islam. I learned that like Christians, Muslims have many interpretations of the Quran, and many different schools of thought.

At that time, the president of the Muslim Student Association was former senator Nasim. He had many discussions about American Muslims. I learned that many Muslim immigrants share the same dream that we all do: better future for children, freedom, and a chance to succeed. Like former senator Nasim, I too am from India. I may be a Christian, yet I feel Muslims are my brothers. I hope Mr. Montgomery and many like him get a chance to appreciate their neighbors, pray for their neighbors, and love their neighbors. Please do visit the Islamic Center of Tucson. All are welcome!

Robert Balla
Pima Community College freshman

Side effects of RU-486 also part of pregnancy, giving birth

Just for the record, I would like to point out that the supposedly traumatic side effects for RU-486 listed in Thursday's paper insert, which include heavy bleeding, nausea, vomiting, and contractions, are also symptoms of pregnancy and giving birth. So rather than experience these symptoms temporarily as an effect of this pill, these "crisis pregnancy" centers would rather that women experience these symptoms for nine months while carrying an unwanted pregnancy to term? Regardless of anyone's position on a woman's right to choose, surely they must realize that this argument is ridiculous.

Jennifer Crispin
environmental science graduate student

U.S. democratic system must acknowledge public opinion

I hesitate before calling anyone this name, which I figure is tantamount to profanity, but Steve Campbell is stupid. Does he actually propose in his Tuesday commentary that we should just let the U.S. government do whatever it wants to do without consulting its citizenry? I thought this was America. We are supposed to have one of the world's best semblances of democracy.

Has Campbell no concept of our nation's history of harassing, harming, arming, and economically crippling countries at the greatest harm to humanity rather than any leadership?

Our government has perpetrated wrongs on its own citizens, regularly sells or provides arms to groups that 10 years later we face in war, and fails to solve its domestic troubles due to financial restraints while somehow it finds billions for war.

America simply no longer occupies the highest moral ground. If Bush's administration will not let public opinion influence its actions, then I am in the wrong country.

If Bush, Rumsfeld, Cheney, and Mr. Campbell had their way, we would all be little more than brainless automatons who suffer in a depressed economy for the sake of the mother country, respond to calls to report on our neighbors, and die in body or soul at the wave of the government's lily white hand. That scenario sounds familiar, but I don't recall it being anything I have ever associated with being American.

Christine Dykgraaf
library science graduate student

Bigger student section would create Îsixth man'

Ever since the Duke vs. Maryland game, I haven't been able to shake the fact that the UA doesn't provide a better and bigger student section in McKale Center. Students create the sixth man for the team and it is crowds like Duke and Maryland, for example, that make their visiting opponents shake in their Nikes and more importantly make victory seem almost impossible. Dick Vital even stated in the MD game vs. Duke how influential and significant the crowd is to the team. If the Wildcats can feel that we are supportive, with every dribble and every shot, then they could even be better than they are now, especially when they play at home. With UA men's basketball being number one again, how could our school not feel the need to create a more spirited crowd?

I am a season ticket holder and as I watch the games from up high, I become so frustrated with the old farts who not only have the best seats in the house, but do absolutely nothing! They don't even cheer or stand up and it is as if they aren't even there! That is not what the team needs! Assuming money is the main issue for the inter-changeable seating arrangements, something can surely be done to make it so the students can more forcefully crate the havoc and mayhem within McKale Center's walls. Like MD for example, on each side of the court the first 10 rows are reserved for students, and following them are the other season ticket holders. Other options are raising student ticket prices. I know we would pay for them, or better yet ask Lute Olson to take money from his salary to help pay for the deficit of sale income. All in all it is our turn, the students, to have front-row seats in McKale Center and bring the game alive. Every college basketball team deserves a reasonable student section, and I don't know what the hell you would call what we have now. Basketball is more than just a game, and to most students it's a time when we can come together as a school and help our team win with every hoot and holler. The best team in the country deserves the best student section. Zona Zoo? Not hardly! Let's give our opponents a real zoo to visit.

Claire Ostapuk
undecided freshman