Holocaust unlike any event in modern history

I felt disturbed when an individual "misinterpreted" the Holocaust Memorial and went into an absurd tantrum about religious supremacy and genocide in Israel. To claim that the Holocaust was "the worst single action to have ever occurred in light of history" and to politely shift gears to "Jewish Supremacy" is poorly careless. It is ethically irresponsible to compare the dehumanization of Jews, Poles, Catholics, homosexuals, disabled and many more to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Holocaust is incomparable to any event in modern history; it is a category of its own. To compare the deaths of thousands of Palestinians to the millions in the Holocaust dehumanizes the value of each Jew, Catholic, homosexual, Pole and others whose life was taken during the Holocaust. There is a roughly estimated 3,850 Holocaust victims to one Palestinian. While the numbers are not the message, devaluing the life of a human is unacceptable. White Supremacy is an ideology reflected from a similar Nazi perception of genetic purity, biological inferiority and the master race. Reading the person's perception of Jewish Supremacy, it appears to be a 21st century conspiracy theory that is similar to the Passover Blood Libel. I dismiss the perception because I wish to respect and tolerate diverse ethnicities, nationalities and religions and not resort to genocidal conspiracy theories.

Eric Werner
political science sophomore

Vigil not used for political reasons, but to remember

The University of Arizona Hillel Foundation and the Holocaust Education Committee has been running the Holocaust Memorial Vigil on the UA Mall for the last 12 years. Every year, there are a few people who get upset with this concept, ranting and raving about the situation in Israel, such as Damian Pulliam's letter in yesterday's Wildcat. The Vigil is held in order to remember and honor the 6 million Jews and almost 6 million others who were viciously slaughtered in the Holocaust. That is it. It has nothing to do with Israel or politics, and to use the Holocaust in order to promote one's own political views is to trample on the memory of almost 12 million people. (There are several instances in Pulliam's letter where fact should be replaced with opinion, but that is not the point.) If people wish to voice their views on the situation in Israel, they should do so. But in the future, it should be done in a way that is respectful and that refrains from taking advantage of those who are just trying to remember a catastrophic loss in the history of their people.

Rebecca Rosenberg
The University of Arizona Hillel Foundation

Don't compare Holocaust to current Mideast events

I am writing in response to Damian Pulliam's letter in yesterday's paper, in which he refers to the Holocaust Memorials displayed on the UA Mall last week as "a hollow shell with no meaning to me as well as others." Well, Mr. Pulliam, just as the memorial left you feeling disgusted, your letter left me feeling disgusted. To equate the recent situations in the Middle East with an inability to find meaning in the mourning of possibly the greatest tragedy in history is quite absurd.

I'm not about to defend Israel's actions in the Middle East. But to equate the actions and policies of the Israeli government with the millions of Jews in the United States, in Israel and throughout the rest of the world who want to see peaceful resolution in the Palestine-Israel situation is wrong. Since you are so keen on facts, Mr. Pulliam, I will provide you with another one: It is a fact that the majority of Israeli and Palestinian people want a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and an end to the violence that has surrounded the area on both sides for over 50 years.

However, of all the things I find unfortunate about Mr. Pulliam's viewpoints, the worst is that he simply equates the Holocaust with only Jewish suffering. In case you didn't know, Mr. Pulliam, only half of the people persecuted in the Holocaust were Jews. The rest were Poles, gypsies, handicapped and disabled people, and many other groups that the Nazis felt needed to be eliminated. Yes, the memorial on the Mall was put together by Jewish-affiliated groups; but that doesn't mean Jewish people were the only ones who were being mourned. So next time, before making a claim that there was no meaning in the Holocaust Memorial for others, please think about just what exactly you are claiming.

Adam Rosenthal
mathematics sophomore

Too many UA students are Îignorant,' Îapathetic'

I just wanted to applaud Emily McClory for her letter yesterday titled "Students should appreciate Nader speech." It is utterly refreshing to see somebody take the time to become educated on issues in order to vote responsibly in the upcoming election. Emily said, "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 would like to second this feeling as well as take it a step further by being a bit more simple about it all. A large number of people on this campus are ignorant and apathetic. That is to say, nobody knows what in the hell is going on and nobody cares to know. And this is not just related to politics. The fact is everyone has an opinion. I don't care if you don't even know the difference between a Republican and a Democrat, but you do know your stance on certain issues; for example (and I know it's overdone), pro-choice or pro-life?

If you are pro-choice and you don't vote, and Bush wins the next election and you get pregnant and want an abortion and can't have one, then how shitty is that going to feel? You could have had an impact on that policy, the one that relates to you directly. Your vote could have changed that. So to all you people out there who think you don't care ... yes, you do.

Whoever you are, whatever race, age, nationality, class, etc., there are things that are going to happen under the next presidency that are going to affect you. So for the love of God, pick something you actually do give a shit about, figure out your stance on it, figure out which presidential nominee supports that, register to vote and get your ass out there on Election Day. I don't care if you like the way Bush treats his wife or the fact that Kerry snowboards appeals to you. At least it is something. Instead of leaving it all up to "the people who care" and just blending in like a cow being herded along, turn into someone who knows what is going on and knows what you feel about certain issues.

Everyone on this campus is so concerned with everybody else, nobody knows what they think anymore. Stop looking at the chick in the UofA butt shorts or the hot dude throwing a Frisbee on the Mall for five minutes and figure out your stand. It's not that hard.

Laura Hewitt
senior majoring in English

Flags in classrooms Îwholesome,' Îpatriotic'

Wow ÷ I never thought I'd see so much opposition to the idea of flags in classrooms. It seems so wholesome and patriotic. What's odd, though, is that the left wonders why people call them anti-American when they have the intestinal fortitude to deny something as basic as the flag, the very symbol of this great nation. But I suppose if you dislike our country so much then it would stand to reason you'd be against such a thing. It is your right to do so if you wish, and freedom is one of the reasons I love this nation so much. I just cannot imagine the look on the faces of all who strived for that freedom, past and present, when you speak so poorly about the symbol of our beloved nation. It truly breaks my heart, and perhaps theirs as well.

Michael Schmeling
microbiology junior

Keep soldiers abroad in hearts, minds

It seems to me that, concerning this war, many people are trying to support the troops as much as possible. But they still say so many negative things about the war and the president that it seems too forced to be true. My brother is a Marine who was part of the first group into Baghdad last February. While he was there (until late June), there was nothing on my family's minds but praying and hoping he would come home safely. Our neighbors all tied yellow ribbons on their mailboxes as a reminder to themselves and us to keep him in our thoughts. Fortunately, he did come home, and when he did he told us how the Iraqi people did not feel that the Americans were "controlling them and not giving them the power they deserve" as Keith Whitten said in Thursday's letter. The people know that soldiers want to protect them and will give the ultimate sacrifice to do so, as so many Americans have done. I just want to remind people that they all probably know someone in Iraq or know someone who does, so be careful how you criticize and what you call the soldiers, because they are young men and women our age who, instead of complaining about going to class or finals, are concerned as to when they will come home and if they are going to run into any militant Iraqis ready and willing to kill them. These soldiers are not warmongers. They are young people who chose a different plan after high school and deserve to be supported, whether or not you agree with what they are doing. They're doing it anyway. My goal isn't to force my view of the war on anyone, but to remind people that the soldiers are in need of your support, even if you feel the president is not.

Aisling Campbell
sophomore majoring in English and creative writing

Women can also help stop incidents of rape

I am writing in regards to Noah Aleshire's letter. Mr. Aleshire has clearly straw-manned Mr. Knutson's arguments by labeling them as "victim-blaming," while missing the point entirely. I am sure that Mr. Aleshire is well-intentioned, but the rhetoric he uses is flawed. He states, "The truth is only men can prevent rape." If this is true, then why do they have seminars on women's safety that cover rape prevention, self-defense courses and emergency call stations on campus? Clearly, things can prevent rape other than every single rapist turning a new leaf. I wish Mr. Aleshire the best of luck in attempting to sit down rapists and convincing them to reform.

There is a clear distinction between acting responsibly and being responsible for rape. Women are never to blame for their own rape. Women can, however (and fortunately), remove factors that would increase the incidence of rape. When I am on the road, I expect people to obey the law. If I was stopped and someone rear-ended me and I went through the windshield, the injury is not my fault. However, had I been wearing a safety belt, I would have had a much lower chance of being injured. Not accepting open drinks from strangers, not being intoxicated to the point of passing out and many other behaviors reduce the chance of rape just like the seatbelt would reduce the chance of being injured.

By stating that only men can keep women from being raped, Mr. Aleshire tells women that they are helpless, waiting victims, and that mindset can lead to both physical and emotional harm.

Jared Sandler
psychology junior

Sex column Îoffensive,' filled with insecurity

After enduring three weeks of advice from Eliza Tebo and her column "Staying on Top," I would like to offer her some advice in return.

I must start off by saying that I find her column to be completely offensive ÷ the image that she has created is exactly that of a stereotypical woman who many people do not respect and one who I find myself constantly battling. I raised my eyebrow at her opening, "For the next few weeks, I'd like to be your sex slave," and read on only to find that it gets worse. She feels the need to tell her readers that she "love(s) sex. But (she's) not a ho." Now, that's a red flag if I ever saw one.

Ms. Tebo's attempts at being witty and knowledgeable fail to hit her target. Her vulgarity is not very effective, not to mention humorless. In fact, the article's title, "Staying on Top," is not only vulgar but degrading to those of us who want to stay on top outside of the bedroom.

In this week's article, "The exes aren't evil," Tebo made some good points. We are haunted, so to speak, by our exes. Breaking up is only natural, and in some cases a godsend. I know too many couples who end up getting back together time and time again because they don't know how to let go of someone they have been so intimate with. There is a reason you broke up: Move on, but keep that friendship intact. After all, you've spent the effort to get to know each other so well.

But I question, is that some insecurity I hear in her words? Writers write about what they know, but in her case, I wonder if she actually knows what she is talking about. There is no confidence behind her words and she seems to hide behind her cocky attitude. Reinforcing the fact that she is sexually active will not gain her respect from her readers. She should be a little less sex kitten, a little more the wise upperclassman if she wants to be heard from atop her soapbox.

Bottom line: There are a lot of sides to sex advice, and making it sound so blasŽ and common makes people uncomfortable. This is not to say that sex advice should not be given, but it shouldn't be considered satire unless you're at the open-mic night at your local comedy club. Karen Hsu
finance sophomore

First the flags in class, then saying the Pledge

The article entitled "Student sees red, white and blue" has to do with Tyler Mott's obsession with taking a national symbol and grade school fixture and adding it to UA daily life. This is not like other articles about classroom modification to which the response is often one of angst over misuse of university funds. In fact, Mr. Mott is having a successful time procuring funds from outside sources, such as the American Legion. Instead, the problem with Mr. Mott's flag crusade is one of hypocrisy and disregard. The flag stands for the institution of the United States of America, with all the freedoms and rights it represents, in theory and in action. Nevertheless, Mr. Mott sees this issue as one that is a given and needs no democratic process or debate, completely throwing freedom of speech to the wind. It is his opinion that this is the right and patriotic thing to do, and all other opinions are unpatriotic. Though Mr. Mott encourages open discussion, he feels that any opposition would be somewhat baseless. In these post-Sept. 11, 2001, times, the flag is everywhere from pins on people's lapels to the logo in the upper left-hand corner of a certain national news organization's daily screen shots. And, of course, the flag is to be found indoctrinating students from grades K-12 all across this great land. Unlike grade school, college is a place to personalize your learning and stand out as an individual, not continue following the identical path as your peers. When Americans become adults, we are considered fully capable of making our own decisions with regards to education. However, it seems Mr. Mott feels we must still be consistently reminded of how to act as good Americans. Under this sort of babying, perhaps Mr. Mott will next have the university community take time to say the Pledge at the beginning of every class. Simply put, this overuse of the flag has tarnished its meaning and converted it into a golden calf that promulgates blind patriotism and eliminates diverse opinion. Besides, the most important thing that every classroom on this campus needs is a clock that works.

Tom Douglas
senior majoring in Spanish literature