Campus group held impressive war debate

I applaud the work of Noah Haiduc-Dale, Carrie Brown and the other members of APJME who made the debate regarding the potential war on Iraq last Wednesday possible. I was impressed with how an elevated format for dialogue regarding this issue could be created by a student organization. The organizers of this event paid great attention to detail in order to create the most professional format possible.

Manuel Peters
studio arts senior

Iraq forum panelists great; audience bad

Regarding Wednesday night's forum on Iraq in the CESL auditorium: I want to congratulate each of the panelists on an excellent job. Mr. Campbell, Ms. Hall, Mr. Haiduc-Dale and Mr. Weller were all very prepared and made exceptionally articulate and well-reasoned arguments. I was extremely impressed with their knowledge on the subject.

I was not, however, impressed with the behavior of the audience in attendance. A good 90 percent of them were undoubtedly on the anti-war side ÷ which is fine, as long as each panelist is treated with respect and common courtesy. But for most of the evening, Mr. Campbell and Mr. Weller ÷ the two on the pro-war side of the panel ÷ were treated very discourteously, to say the least.

Throughout the discussion, audience members would laugh, snicker, or yell out inappropriate comments while Mr. Campbell and Mr. Weller were speaking. In a classic display of immaturity, after Mr. Weller had criticized former President Jimmy Carter's foreign policy, a woman sitting toward the back of the auditorium started having a fit. She screamed at Mr. Weller that he didn't know what he was talking about, and then did a marvelous impression of my five-year-old nephew by stomping out of the auditorium.

It seemed that, while some of the audience certainly came to hear an informative, two-sided debate, most came to kick back and enjoy some good old-fashioned America bashing. And they were taken aback when they realized that, in fact, both sides of the issue were actually being presented at this particular forum. Their disgust and cynicism for those who disagreed with them was made transparent by their ridiculous conduct.

The left claims to be on the side of tolerance and respect for everyone. What occurred in CESL 103 Wednesday night was one of the most intolerant and disrespectful displays I've ever seen. I sincerely hope that their behavior was not indicative of most members of the anti-war movement.

Shane Dale
political science senior

SAS is against private prisons; capitalism

Well, looks like the Students Against Free Enterprise, err, Students Against Sweatshops have embraced a new cause. After their ultra-liberal ideals nearly tore them apart in an internal "sexism" coup, they've rebounded to attack the private prison system.

Private prisons are something we study extensively in the criminal justice program. While the ethical concerns are addressed, there is little doubt that private prisons are hugely beneficial to the system. More often than not, private prisons are more efficient, productive, and safer than their public counterparts, since they have to make a profit. As for not being accountable, they are extremely regulated and monitored by the government. While you can argue as to the ideological ethics of private prisons, you can't argue that they aren't just as effective, if not superior to public prisons.

SAS, in their zealous communist ideals, are against all things having to do with free enterprise. Maybe after private prisons, they'll attack private schools, or private electric companies, or private water companies.

Anthony W. Nelson
criminal justice administration senior

Incorrect Columbine facts are insensitive

On April 19, 1999, 15 people lost their lives at Columbine High School: 13 victims and two murderers. Thursday's Wildcat article claims that 10 people died. Which three of the victims did you consider unimportant enough to forget? The shootings at Columbine might have happened four years ago, but that does not excuse a poorly researched article. If the Wildcat wishes to be taken seriously as a newspaper, some basic journalism classes for all writers might be in order.

Elizabeth Hazelwood
chemistry education sophomore

ÎLabor Drain' is a big threat to UA too

For the second time in a month I have read in the Wildcat that the Staff Advisory Council "represents" the lower-level staff. That is absurd. SAC does not, nor can it truly represent any staff members, lower-level or otherwise. SAC is not a union; in fact during my two years as a liaison I would have regarded SAC to stand for something more like "Social Activities Club." They were very big on organizing teas and luncheons but completely powerless to address problems or issues that actually concerned us. With massive staff layoffs and now the possibility of reduction in health and retirement benefits, the university is facing another threat besides the dreaded "brain drain." Let's call it "labor drain" for now.

It occurs as the people who do the real work on the campus continue to be laid off or find better opportunities elsewhere. Sadly, it is our students who will be impacted first and most by "labor drain." A final note, anybody who believes that lower-level staff members' jobs do not directly affect teaching (Wildcat, Jan.15) should probably reconsider. I think most faculty would agree that without a good administrative assistant and other support staff to keep them on track, teaching would be a far more difficult task.

Larry Cook
chemistry staff technician

Draft not an issue; morality of wealthy is

My letter concerns the Issue of the Week ÷ draft registration. Kendrick Wilson is the only one who demonstrates a fundamental understanding of the idea behind the selective service draft. Once again Caitlin Hall demonstrates that she rarely thinks about the things she says before talking out of her ass. Ms. Hall asserts that if there is a problem raising enough volunteers, America should be more selective in its wars. She completely misses the issue. We have more than enough troops to fight the war. The issue is that perhaps Joe Senator and Bob President will feel perhaps a little bit less jingoistic against fighting any war now that their sons (and daughters) will be directly affected by it.

The whole point is that it creates morality in those where there was none previously. Her strong moral objections to sending 16-year-olds to war against their desires is irrelevant. Ditch the draft, she says, considering the fact that the draft was never even meant to be enacted? I don't even know what she is talking about. Its sole purpose was to be a publicity stunt to point out the moral ambiguity problem rich people of power seem to have whenever they decide to invade yet another country in the world that most Americans can't even locate on a map.

Matthew Galanty
undeclared sophomore

Fast Facts ought to be double checked

I must say I truly enjoy the return of the Fast Facts, but Wednesday's was quite funny to find an obviously false statement. One fact stated: "Every continent begins and ends with the same letter." That is wrong! While Europe, Asia, Antarctica, and Australia are true, North America and South America do not! Check your facts next time.

Joe Mancuso
sociology junior

Drunken driving ad was misunderstood

In last Friday's Wildcat, two seniors took Campus Health Services to task, calling attention to our ad about drinking and driving, implying that the ad supports the notion that a 15 percent drunken driving rate is acceptable. This is not the case.

Campus Health Services believes that one drunken driver is one too many. Drinking and driving is an important health and safety issue. You have probably seen our weekly ads in the Wildcat and know that although most UA students quietly and privately make sensible decisions about drinking, there are a noisy and potentially dangerous few who drink to a level that causes injury to self and others and who routinely put others at risk.

Of those who drink, most drink in moderation ÷ 85 percent of our students did not get behind the wheel of a car in the last 30 days and drive under the influence. How do we know? Every year about this time Campus Health Services conducts an annual health and wellness survey in a random sample of classrooms ÷ last year we surveyed over 1,200 students. We report alcohol norms data back to you ÷ as well as other health-related norms ÷ in the form of ads, posters, newsletters and online. The survey tells us that the overwhelming majority of UA students are serious about school and other responsibilities and would not and do not jeopardize their success or the life of friends and others by driving after drinking.

We advertise this and other alcohol-related information so that the next time you hear or see someone ready to drive after drinking you will be aware that: (1) Drinking and driving is not the norm, (2) Very few students believe that driving under the influence is the right thing to do, (3) A friend who is impaired should be stopped from getting behind a wheel, and (4) Drinking to a level of intoxication that would interfere with academic or other responsibilities is not the norm.

UA students tell us that the best way to help a friend who has been drinking is to: (1) Take the keys, (2) Call a taxi, and (3) Intervene if you see a friend making a bad decision about alcohol and talk to him or her about it when he or she is sober. Don't get into a car with someone who has been drinking.

Good decisions are based on accurate information. We thought you'd want to know.

Koreen Johannessen
senior advisor for prevention, Campus Health Services

Tucson has group for Îplant-based' lifestyles

I appreciate Biz Bledsoe's Feb. 11 Live Culture feature titled "Goodbye Cheeseburger, Hello Enlightenment," especially the comments concerning the ethical facets of a plant-based lifestyle. This is a perspective many nutritionally oriented vegetarians come to realize as they learn more about the dietary choice they are pursuing.

I'd like to inform your readers that there is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization in Tucson, the Vegetarian Resource Group of Tucson, which is dedicated to educating people about the nutritional, ethical, and environmental aspects of a vegetarian lifestyle. We also have community service activities and social events and are always looking for new energy and ideas. Interested individuals can read more about us at www.vrgt.org.

Deborah Mitchell
Vegetarian Resource Group of Tucson

Vegan pleased to see dietary lifestyles story

As an aspiring vegan, I was pleased to see Tuesday's informative feature on changing dietary lifestyles. People tinker with their eating habits all the time. A 20-year-old stops eating meat because of the cruelty issue. She may not even know this will prevent her from consuming hormones and antibiotics which could cause her health problems in the future. A 50-year-old cuts out meat and dairy due to cholesterol, then discovers that the extra protein was hindering calcium absorption.

Vegan foods require a bit more effort, but vegetarian meals are easy to find in Tucson. Safeway, Albertsons & Fry's carry many frozen veggie burgers, hotdogs, and dinners, as well as "cheeses, meats, and milk" made from soy, almond or rice. Oy Vey Cafe is the best on campus, but there is a large salad bar, and veggie burgers in the Union. Nearby, Bentley's has several choices, and soy chai. Guilin's has great vegetarian Chinese food. You can get veggie entries at Middle Eastern restaurants. The ultimate place to go is Oasis at (South) Stone Avenue and (East) 14th Street.

The Vegetarian Resource Group of Tucson (VRGT) has monthly dine-outs or potlucks, and sponsors informational events in Tucson. Check them out at: www.vrgt.org. Every small step you take away from that cheeseburger is a positive one for you, the cow and the planet.

Debbi Golden-Davis
UA financial aid counselor

Wu Tang van should crash into grammar

I'd like to thank the Wildcat for publishing the article "Wu-Tang members skid into Old Pueblo" on Thursday. I was very entertained at the top of the article when I read, "'We was just cruising,' Mr. Priest said, ÎAnd the driver hit the brakes and we was on fucking ice. So the car did not stop moving.'" Well, thank you for that astute observation Mr. Priest, I'm not exactly sure what you said but it sounded dope, yo. I kept reading and found these quotes too: "We went right into a wall or some shit or another car · A couple of us was a little injured but you know, we got up out of the motherfucker." Classy. Mr. Priest continues to give his account of the accident, says that the current U.S. state of alert is for all "hip hop heads" and talks about "throwing cats with consciousness and awareness."

I feel like I am a dumber person after reading this article and I feel terrible for all the people that go to the show because it is likely to lower the cumulative IQ of all Tucson hip hop heads. I hope that the next time the Wu Tang van slides on a patch of ice, it crashes into a library or an English and grammar class.

Ken Gafner
communication graduate student

Wildcat comics help out fellow citizens

I am responding to the letter in last Wednesday's Forum where a student was complaining about the Wildcat's comics section. I love reading the Wildcat; seeing how I am a college student and can't afford a newspaper, the Wildcat is my only source for local and worldly news. And with all this talk of war and unconstitutional Arizona laws, the comics section is my way to forget and relax. It could be the hilarity of Echoed Thoughts or the familiarity of Sauce's Taco Hell, but I'm glad they're there. Because when I finish my Wildcat every day I don't want to be depressed and angry at the world and this country. I'd rather be able to have a grin on my face and help out my fellow citizens, and know it was all because of the Wildcat's comics.

John Bridges
pre-business sophomore

War and terrorism are equally terrible

My friend Nafeesa Moinuddin, visiting scholar from India, just returned from Washington, D. C., where she could have solved the world's problems ÷ not alone, of course. This past weekend 120 Fullbright scholars from 81 nations assembled for a seminar to put their diverse and exceptional minds on the most pressing global issues we now face. But no one listened in the epicenter of where we're told has an 80 percent chance of a terrorist attack in the next two weeks.

Network and wireless services ignored the deliberations of perhaps the most qualified international assembly to address our current problems. It's easier, and ultimately cheaper, to ratchet up the propaganda mills and refuel the furnaces of war · everywhere at once, if necessary ÷ Iraq, Korea, Pakistan, Turkey, Columbia.

Do these multiple trouble spots suggest the simple solution our global leaders would have us believe ÷ making an immediate decision between only two options: pursue a preemptive war or succumb to global terrorism. These two evils are merely symptoms of the much more complex, pervasive and permanent social ills of a species grown too numerous for its habitat.

The choices are really between short-term correctives (mass suicides) and long-term solutions; between self-serving and serving humanity. Exterminating the weakest of our species may temporarily relieve chronic conditions of hunger, ignorance, disease, inadequate housing and infrastructure · but only until some new crisis of resources.

To solve these problems could require a hundred years of worldwide collaboration and the collective resources of every nation on Earth. But if we are to survive on our seriously endangered planet, every mind needs to focus on addressing these entrenched and intransigent social evils.

The United States or the developed nations can't do this alone, and the West has certainly not shown itself to be moral leaders for the rest of the world, modeling probity, virtue and altruism. Just as we have, all the other causes today harness moral creed in service to material excess. To save our lifestyles, we are all willing to die for philosophies we don't consistently practice. Both Islamic radicals and democratic conservatives defend aggression based on the other's "immoral" behavior.

But can either war or terrorism have a just cause? Don't they amount to the same thing ÷ annihilation of one's competitors for life's goods? Could we not assume that what is good for us might also be good for someone else, and make global policy decision predicated on sharing Earth's resources instead of hoarding them, working together so we all "live long and prosper"?

Yvonne Merrill
Department of English associate writing specialist