Suicide bombers feel Îdespair, helplessness'

In Wednesday's opinions section, Aaron Schulman disdained what he saw as "the simple ignorance that still exists in today's society." Ironically, Mr. Schulman did not show much competence when he stated: "Within the Palestinian culture, women are seen as worthless and expendable." I sure would have hoped that the author wrote his article without passing "quick and biased judgment." As I am sure I have made more Palestinian friends than Mr. Schulman, I can say for a fact that Palestinians don't look at their mothers and sisters as "worthless and expendable." The tragic situation that the Middle East has been locked in for the last 50 years is a direct result of hate, intolerance and jingoism. Left to their own wills, the two sides will never reach a solution. Therefore, a third party that can exert pressure and enforce a lasting peace becomes crucial. Unfortunately, the region has not found an honest broker that would lead it to such an agreement. However, the phenomenon of the female suicide bomber deserves attention. I can't tell with certainty what would drive a Palestinian woman to blow herself up just to take a couple of Israeli lives. But my guess would be helplessness, despair, and a lust for revenge ÷ feelings she might not have developed if she lived in Maui. Nevertheless, terrorism against innocent civilians should never be justified. On the other hand, an entire society should not be looked upon as worthless and expendable because of the acts of a few.

Fahad Al-Deweesh
finance graduate student

Health risks increase after abortions

Dr. Susie Baldwin points out a list of supposed "health risks" to pregnant women that cannot have access or have restricted access to an abortion clinic. However, this is only one side of the argument. The health risks women face after the abortion are much greater. There is greater risk for suicide, depression, breast cancer, drug and alcohol abuse, smoking, and emotional and psychological problems. Most restrictions put in place give women time to consider all the effects of the abortion. What is wrong with women being informed on the facts? Is it feared that women might make a decision based upon the facts instead of someone's opinion? No doctor would operate on a patient unless the patient knew and understood all the health risks and effects of the surgery and the short and long-term recovery. If they did, a lawsuit would be in order. So why is it that people within the pro-abortion movement are quick to oppose any kind of informed consent or restrictions regarding women's access to abortion? Why not give women all the true facts and then let them make their own decision?

Abigail Winchester
non-degree seeking
graduate student

Low-cost workers keep food prices low

This letter is in response to Sabrina Noble's column in Thursday's Wildcat. I understand your point about keeping our borders and trying to keep people out of our nation, but I have a problem with that idea. I am sure you want the wages of the lower-level jobs to go up by keeping the people that come to the U.S. illegally out. But those same people are the ones that put our fruit and vegetables in our tables. Those same people work 10 to 12 hours a day in some very inhumane conditions and sometimes-unbearable weather so that all of us can have a wonderful red apple at an affordable price. Let's think about the price of fruits, vegetables and some meat if there were no workers like the ones that come across in the middle of the night and in some cases die trying to get to the land of opportunity. I am not requesting that our borders open to everybody, but what I would like to see is some kind of return to the Î60s bracero program that gives some of the those people an opportunity to work here and return to their native country ÷ wherever that may be. Let me ask one question to you and anybody else who would like to respond: How many of you would work the land for $5/hr for 20-25 years and actually like it? I am sure not many of you would do it, so let those that can and want to do it do it and stop complaining about them coming here because they are the ones that put our food on our tables. By the way, it is a lot better here then it is in their homeland. Take a trip out there, but not for spring break.

Juan A. Esparza
psychology senior

Not time to terminate Mackovic just yet

Two letters to the editor were printed in the Friday issue of the Wildcat suggesting that it's once again time to shop for a new football coach. I would suggest that these letters are a bit premature. Now, I'm not a John Mackovic apologist, nor am I opposed to ousting coaches whose teams are incapable of winning. I long rooted for the removal of Dick Tomey, and I think it very likely that his tenure was greatly extended thanks to a fantastic defense that had surprisingly little to do with him!

Why do I think it's too soon to lynch Coach Mackovic? Simply because he's not yet had the opportunity to fail with his own recruits. College football is not the NFL, where a new coach could theoretically bring in a dozen free-agents capable of having an immediate impact. In NCAA football, one must work with the group recruited by the previous administration until at least a few years pass, and the 17- and 18-year-olds a new coach recruits are physically and mentally ready to compete on the Division I field. Coach Mackovic's first recruits are currently, what, red-shirt freshmen and sophomores?

As little fun as it is to watch games in which we lose by double digits, we have to give the coaching staff the opportunity to develop their own players and then live or die based on the merit of those players. If the staff isn't producing by then, start looking for another replacement. Just don't wait as long as it took to remove Dick Tomey.

Don Gates
physiological sciences
graduate student

Palestine situation is very Îcomplicated'

In defending Israel's decision to deport Paul Snodgrass, Chad Mills states that "activism is another trait of terrorists" and is in itself evidence of how "those behind the scenes support the terrorist movements with their ideas and motivation." Mr. Mills, I challenge you to define your terms: What is an activist? In the course of considering this question, you will probably determine that there are "activists" who support the current position of the Israeli government ÷ unless, of course, you mean that activism is bound by definition to mean only a certain type of political action.

One must conclude from your argument that pro-Israeli "activists" are in fact supporting terrorism. So your logic is troubling, to say the least: It suggests that, though membership in an organization that supports Palestinian (or any other group's) rights is not itself grounds to be considered a terrorist, it is close enough to warrant you being treated like one. By this rationale, the U.S. government should begin taking measures to rid this country of those who oppose the current administration's execution of the war on terrorism (that would be something like 30 percent of the population, I would guess, and growing).

The situation in Palestine is far more complicated than you imagine. I urge you to reconsider the consequences of your logic, not to mention your support for Israel's decision to deny entry to students like Mr. Snodgrass based on politics. It seems far more likely that his presence in the West Bank is a threat not because of what he would do during the course of study, but what he would see and be able to testify to upon returning to the country that fundamentally supports and enables the occupation of the Palestinian territories. In that sense, perhaps you are correct in seeing this situation as a problem of "ideas and motivation." But, of course, that is not the rationale we are hearing from the Israeli government and its supporters.

Jim Bowman
Graduate student in English

APJME committed to non-violence, peace

Why did I find yet another article in the Friday Wildcat that fails to address what happened to Paul Snodgrass in an accurate way? Neither Paul nor the Israeli government officials have claimed that they refused to allow him into Israel on account of his activism with APJME or even his political views. Paul insists that the only thing he was questioned about was his intention to study at Bir Zeit, a university in the West Bank. He was told that people only go there to become suicide bombers; therefore, he represented a threat to Israel's national security. Indeed, the comments made by the Israeli consulate in LA suggesting that "the only thing coming out of there (Bir Zeit) is a terrorist" confirm Paul's story. I doubt the Israeli government would waste its time looking into Paul's activities with APJME. If they did, I would be interested to know what exactly they found objectionable. As one of the original co-founders of APJME I assure you that it has always been a group committed to non-violence and compassion for people on all sides of conflicts in the Middle East. APJME condemns suicide bombings and other acts of violence against innocents. Sure, APJME supports the creation of a Palestinian state, but so do the current American and Israeli governments. Would Chad Mills suggest we detain members of these governments and question their potential terrorist actions?

Carrie Brown
Near Eastern Studies
graduate student

Support Israel's Îmodel democracy in a sea of hate'

In the September 16 edition of the Wildcat, Aaron Gubi asked for Jewish Americans to write in and condemn Israel for throwing Mr. Snodgrass out of the country because he wanted to study hate on the West Bank. Democracy doesn't mean Israel has to allow foreigners to come and study at a school that supports the destruction of Israel.

The reality is that I don't see one university in Palestine, or any Arab country for that matter, that teaches tolerance toward Jews. If we American Jews should condemn anything, we should condemn the idea of relativism among American academics that encourages students to view terrorists as legitimate political actors ÷ including the professors that encourage students to have a Îbalanced' approach toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

There is nothing about Hamas and Al-Aqsa and Islamic Jihad that needs to be learned unless it's the location of their leaders so that they can be shot down like the terrorists they are.

American Jews should support Israel because Israel is a model democracy in a sea of hate, a sea of dictatorial regimes that suppress women, suppress democracy and suppress freedom of religion and freedom of the press. In Israel, one can be gay or straight ÷ try being gay in Saudi Arabia; they will stone you to death.

Seth Frantzman
UA alumnus

Religious bands shouldn't play on Mall at lunch

I am wondering if it's absolutely necessary to allow religiously oriented bands to play on the mall. Nobody listens to them and they just serve to make the lunch hour unpleasant. The platform is not open to preachers and I don't see why it should be open to preaching disguised as music.

Will Nelson
Institute for Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology staff member

UA students don't Îbelieve' in Mackovic, but in players

Look, I've been the biggest John Mackovic supporter in the country. At first, I thought I could look past the terrible Pac-10 record because of Mackovic's excellent ability to recruit. However, after this past weekend's blowout against Purdue, it is time for me to say a little something. In football more so than any other sport, the right coach can make all the difference. A coach can squeeze out every last ounce of ability and heart from every single player on the sideline. Even the most untalented teams in the country can, at the very least, compete. Let me make it clear that I don't think that the team's downfall is entirely Mackovic's fault. However, it is his fault that our beloved Wildcats can't even field a team of players who will pour their hearts out for their fans, because Mackovic can't motivate this team. That's not to say that the players don't care, because anyone who looks at Clay Hardt knows that he is busting his ass every time he is on the field. I know Mackovic and Clarence Farmer don't get along; that is obvious. But as a head coach, his responsibility is to field the best 11 players he can. That means playing Clarence Farmer! I don't care if they can't stand each other; Clarence Farmer = production. The team feeds off of his energy, but not when he is standing on the sideline. Mike Bell is working hard and playing well, but Clarence Farmer is the star. By not playing Farmer, the team can't compete. I, along with the other Wildcat fans, know that it is tough to build a good football program. But all we ask is that we field a team that competes. Wins and losses aren't as important as the effort. The wins are going to come; I can assure you of that. Maybe not immediately, but it will happen. So to the football players: Know that the students of your school appreciate your hard work and that we are behind you win or lose. To the fans: Don't lose faith quite yet; we may not finish this season with a winning record, but believe me when I say that the UA football team is on the rise. Ryan O'Hara, Chris Henry, Biren Ealy, Syndric Steptoe ÷ we have the talent, now all we need is the heart. We will not be the cellar-dwellers of the Pac-10 for long. The students believe in their team ÷ now if only we could get a coach who believes as well.

Jeffrey Barsky
media arts junior

Mackovic situation has turned into Înational joke'

When I think of all the embarrassments Mackovic has thrust upon the university, it is his continuing ability to lower the bar for classless behavior that stands out the most. I was part of a Daily Wildcat staff that called for Dick Tomey's ouster over a perceived mediocrity (12-1!?!), without ever really knowing how good we had it. It sure seems that way now. Mackovic's latest: Not shaking hands with the opposing head coach after Purdue stomped on us. The guy pulled his starters and they scored three TDs in the fourth quarter on the ground! Was Purdue supposed to take a knee with 15 minutes left? Arizona has quit in each of its last three games, which is a direct reflection of the lack of character at the top. Maybe Jim Livengood should make a special exception to that "evaluation at the end of the year" policy, because this situation has turned into a national joke. I'll admit it when I'm wrong: Dick Tomey, I am sorry.

Kyle Faraday
UA alumnus

Club wants to eliminate poor DDR game behavior

I found out about your article on Dance Dance Revolution. I am appreciative of the fact that the Wildcat is putting focus on such a great and addicting game. But I am also concerned.

What I have an issue with is the negative tone that is left after finishing the article. Brandie Bryant is said to be "embarrassed about her addiction to the video game," and this concerns me. Ms. Bryant should not be embarrassed to play a game. She has encountered somewhat of a bad crowd that plays DDR in town. And I am not alone in this assessment.

Stephen Barta and I have formed a club on campus: DDR Cats. We strive to eliminate such poor behavior by other players that hinder people from enjoying such a great game and are dedicated to good sportsmanship in the playing of Dance Dance Revolution. Our club just started two weeks ago and we already have a great list of members. We are always inviting others to come to our meetings on Thursdays at 7 p.m.

For those that don't already know, two DDR machines are in the Wilbur's Underground Game Room. There is DDR Extreme ÷ the 8th Mix ÷ and DDR 5th Mix.

Andrew R. Reimisch
UA alumnus

Israel can Îprotect citizens' just like U.S. post Sept. 11

I'm writing in response to the Bir Zeit situation and the anti-Israel sentiments it has provoked. Countries have the right to protect their citizens. After Sept. 11, the U.S. barred many people from entering flight schools because of the threat it posed. If Israel feels that Bir Zeit is associated with terrorism, then it has every right to bar entrance to that school. There is no reason to take chances with terrorists. An "innocent" student not being allowed to study in a particular school is a small price to pay to prevent the potential murder of civilians.

John Pierce
computer engineering senior