Holocaust memorials 'just a hollow shell'
Thursday's memorial for the Holocaust left me feeling disgusted. Though what happened is the worst single action to have ever occurred in light of history, it is absurd to see that every year the Jewish community creates large memorials and sit-ins regarding this tragedy while at the same time their peers advocate the relocation and murdering of another people.
It was only a few years after the world learned of the horrific details of what Nazi Germany did to the Jewish nation that that same European people turned on another nation with terrorism (Stern Gang, Irgun, etc.) and mass murder (Dier Yassin, Arab village completely massacred by Jews just prior to the 1948 War). This same ideology of the Jewish supremacy continues today with home demolitions and complete disregard for international laws like the Geneva Conventions, U.N. mandates and human decency toward another people.
It is a fact that the Palestinian people are the land's natives and the European Jews are the occupiers.
It is a fact that the Jews only comprised about 15 percent of the entire population prior to 1945.
It is a fact that the entire world sees the land taken from the 1967 war as "occupied" and, according to the Geneva Conventions, it must be returned.
It is a fact that all of the Arab countries, including Arafat and his Fattah, have stated in writing that they would accept Israel as a state with full normal relations if they returned to the 1967 borders. All Arab nations, Arafat exempt, also agreed that the Palestinian right of return, which is fully legal and morally right, would be waived in such an agreement.
Until Israel and the Jewish nation resolve, equitably, this issue, these memorials are just a hollow shell with no meaning to me as well as others.
Damian Pulliam
computer science senior
American flag nothing to be 'ashamed' of
Have we forgotten what the flag truly stands for? Our flag represents democracy, equality and freedom of speech. However, the opportunity for freedom of speech is currently quite unfortunate for the true Americans of this country. The American flag is nothing to be ashamed of, as the extremist liberals would have the world believe. It is too bad that we are forced to hear the anti-American propaganda from ungrateful brats whose idea of a "real" country is one that allows its people to be maimed and murdered by radicals who falsely justify their actions under the guise of God.
How can you consider your every source of justice and opportunity a threat? You reject and make a mockery of your native country, whose sole purpose was to create a land of freedom for you. If attention is what you want, you have got it, but it only makes you look idiotic.
If you don't like this country, then leave. Take your terrorist-loving, far-left radical selves and move in with Osama, because to be quite honest, you don't deserve to live in this American paradise.
Lucina Kress
sophomore majoring in Spanish
More students should appreciate Nader speech
On Wednesday, I jumped at the opportunity to see independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader campaign at the College of Law building. Yet when I returned to my dorm, I was shocked at the response I received from others. Rather than being interested or regretting that they themselves did not go, most laughed at me, asking me why I had taken time to see him and insulting his ideas and intelligence.
While a great many people chose not to see Nader, some did. I commend columnists Brett Berry and Aaron Okin for attending. Although Nader might not be their candidate of choice, they still went out to hear what he had to say. But what about everyone else? I'm ashamed that only about 350 people came to hear Nader speak, and I'm even more upset that many of those who didn't go laughed at those who did. It doesn't matter what your political affiliation is. If you plan to vote in the presidential election, or even participate in society, you should make every effort to hear all sides of the issues. I question people's competency to vote when they put candidates down and call them "dumb" without even hearing them.
How many times in our lives is a major political figure speaking only across the street? Though it is unlikely that Nader will be the winner in the upcoming election, it's still important to hear his ideas, just as it is to hear John Kerry's or President Bush's. To ignore the other viewpoints is to be blind in our world. You may laugh at me for taking time to hear Nader, but I feel sorry for your ignorance in choosing not to.
Emily McClory
music education freshman
Americans have no right to equal circumstances
While I agree with Sara Warzecka about the shortcomings of affirmative action (i.e. it attacks the symptoms, not the cause), she misses an important point. She writes, "That doesn't necessarily mean they lead equal lives or encounter equal circumstances," which is true. But we have no right to equal circumstances. We have a right to equal protection under the law. Then each human being must make do with what they have. Just because I bought my car, go to school full time on my dollar and still have to pay for everything else, I do not have the right to demand money from other people's parents. I know there are people worse off than me, but we are guaranteed only the freedom to pursue happiness - not the right to appropriate money from others.
Kara Karlson
veterinary science and journalism sophomore
Flag not a symbol of war, but a symbol of the U.S.
The American flag does not stand for war. After reading a letter in the opinions section Thursday, I was astonished that a UA alumnus had written such an absurd thing. The fact that someone would say that the American flag represents a negative thing is ridiculous. When the flag was first made, it was used as a symbol for the United States of America, not as a symbol of war. Just because someone wants to put a flag up does not mean that they have to agree with war. Why should the flag be removed from uniforms? What's wrong with showing some support for your country? The fact that you have a different political view doesn't mean that you shouldn't support the country you live in. But living in America does give us the right to oppose the flag, the government or even the country itself, so your belief is completely up to you; but please don't take such a harsh stance on a country's symbol that allows us to these freedoms.
Kristle Slason
undeclared freshman
Nothing wrong with wanting flags at UA
After reading the comments about the American flag made by Randy Dinin, Doug Copeland and Roeland Hancock, I was disgusted that anyone could be so pessimistic and look for the bad in everything.
There is very little wrong with a student wanting to put American flags in the classroom. According to Mr. Dinin, the flag is "a symbol of war," yet he forgets how many people have died throughout history to give him the freedom to speak out like that. It is blatantly disrespectful to those who can no longer defend themselves because they have died defending us.
Mr. Copeland thinks Republicans have redefined the word "unpatriotic." Well, Mr. Copeland, what is more unpatriotic than denying the respect due to those who have built this country? Regardless of your thoughts on the current administration, the flag was not made by Bush and his Cabinet. It was made by the people of early America, the people who established this country to give you the life you now live.
And to Mr. Hancock, I say "YES!" to having an American flag in every classroom. I believe it pays homage to everyone who has respect for others, and who would defend the rights of people everywhere. I would like a flag in every classroom; maybe one day, while looking at a flag, you will have an epiphany and realize how closed-minded and pessimistic you really are.
Finally, to Mr. Mott, I commend you. You have my full support in your endeavor.
Kacee Adams
animal sciences senior
'It's an American flag, not a crucifix' in class
I don't understand why "Operation Angel" is raising such a commotion. Granted, the assumption that voting is irrelevant was a bit disconcerting, and there should certainly be an open, democratic forum in which to discuss the issue, but Tyler's heart was in the right place.
It's really not so unreasonable for a state to require the allegiance of its citizens. To enforce a state religion upon the people may be wrong, but to demand their loyalty and adherence to a reasonable set of laws is not. It's an American flag, not a crucifix. Whether flags should be put in our classrooms ought to be put to a vote, but to automatically dismiss the idea because some pushy individuals identify our nation's flag with its military and the unsavory aspects of our history, not even attempting to discern what the majority opinion is, is an affront to democracy!
We should all rejoice in the fact that we're able to have this discussion without fear of execution. Iraqis did not have that freedom.
Suggesting the specific veneration of an Iraqi flag (or a British flag, or any foreign symbol) in an American institution to the exclusion of our own - that's not funny. And I for one don't care to have the far left "crammed down my throat." As for exchange students, they are our guests, and they chose to be here. If the sight of our flag offends them, that's too damned bad. I wouldn't go to Paris and start whining about the overabundance of French flags.
In the end, Stan Marsh, a character from the cartoon "South Park" put it best. To paraphrase him: America may have its problems, but it's our team. And if you don't want to root for the home team, get the hell out of the stadium.
Daniel Perezselsky
political science and Near Eastern studies junior