Proposition analysis is very contradictory

As someone who uses public transit, I would like to take issue with Kara Karlson's letter in Thursday's Wildcat. She sees only negative consequences of Propositions 200 and 201, taking into consideration neither how increased mass transit might actually reduce congestion on city streets nor how Tucson automobile users are subsidized by the public on a larger scale than are transit riders.

She claims that constructing light rail will turn streets into "dirty, congested trails" that will congest traffic. Then she claims that this congestion will lead people to avoid driving for shopping "unless they absolutely have to." Doesn't the latter statement mean that transit construction would reduce congestion, contradicting the first statement?

Another claim is that more buses means traffic jams. How much will four or five buses per hour on a given route increase traffic in comparison to the hundreds of private automobiles that already traverse those roads? Aren't the cars, not the few busses relative to them, the principal cause of traffic jams, and wouldn't more convenient buses, with more people riding them, serve to take more cars off the road, reducing traffic for everyone?

The bus riding population is not inherently limited. One of the principal reasons that people don't ride the bus is that no routes pass near them, or they are too infrequent and thus too inconvenient. Propositions 200 and 201 will help to remedy this.

Ms. Karlson is confused as to what exactly is on the ballot this Nov. 4. She confuses Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which is "a bus secured to a track," for light rail, a trolley line on University. She also forgets that taxpayers are not only forced to pay for transit, but for constructing and maintaining roads and highways for automobile use that far outweighs the amount spent on public transit.

Brian Marks
geography graduate student

ÎGrill' offensive despite Hispanic illustrator

I disagree with Monica Caballero's belief that the cartoon "Sarape's Grill" provides needed humor in the day. It's an unfunny comic that plays upon false stereotypes. I do not believe that presenting stereotypes of different individuals in a comical light serves any purpose but to perpetuate them. Why must we continue to "laugh at ourselves and find humor in inaccurate and ignorant perceptions of ourselves," as Caballero puts it? It is from comics such as these that I became aware of stereotypes of different groups of people. Who knows how the world might be if comics like "Sarape's Grill" didn't focus on false negatives, but humorous positives? It currently only serves to illustrate Hispanics in an unfavorable and unfunny light.

I also disagree with Caballero's view that the comic is acceptable due to the author being Hispanic. Is it ok to mock a group of people as long as you're making fun of yourself with them? If you're Hispanic, is it considered a birth right for you to be allowed to use Hispanic stereotypes for entertainment while it's socially unacceptable for someone else to? Just because it doesn't bother you doesn't mean it doesn't bother others. Because of this, I find Arnie Bermudez's background to be no justification for what he publishes. If he wants to make fun of himself, I see no problem. But when he includes others with him in his stereotypes, I find it unfunny and inappropriate.

Emily McClory
undeclared freshman

ÎSarape's Grill' not offensive to Hispanics

This letter is in response to the petty bickering about the comic strip, "Sarape's Grill." I find it quite ironic that non-Hispanics find the comic to be absolutely despicable, but there has yet to be a complaint letter about the strip from a person of the Hispanic community. I also find it funny that people completely ignore the fact that the person responsible for the existence of the comic strip obviously has a Hispanic heritage. The Oct. 22 comic strip had a very appropriate message and excellent timing.

Jesus Martinez
South Tucson, Arizona

Comic most offensive because it isn't funny

In response to the letters about the offensive nature of "Sarape's Grill," I would like to point out that the composers of these letters are overlooking the most offensive aspect of this "comic" strip ÷ its complete lack of humor. Perhaps its mockery of Hispanic accents is racist, but, if it had even an ounce of humor or wit, then said mockery probably wouldn't ruffle as many feathers. I hate to beat up on Arnie Bermudez, though; his isn't the only unfunny comic strip. In my four years at the UA, I have yet to read a comic strip that even begins to approach something resembling humor. I don't know if there is a class you guys could take or a special cream you could apply to make you funny, but something needs to change soon. I don't think UA students should be subjected to such torture any longer. I was hoping to make this letter funnier, but the Wildcat has left me so starved for humor that I don't even know what funny is anymore. So I implore you: Make the comics funny ÷ if not for my sake, then for the sake of the children. The poor, poor children.

Cameron Wood
journalism senior

School has right to restrict campus porn

I was intrigued by the recent attempt by the editorial board to expound the issue of pornography on the campus computer network. Besides the fact that there was only one dissenting opinion, I found the editors' lack of understanding surprising.

The main argument presented by the editorial board was: Pornography cannot be blocked through the use of filters because it would be a form of censorship and, since the university is a government-funded entity, there can be no censorship. It would be a violation of our freedoms.

This viewpoint is entirely irrelevant.

Just in case anyone was wondering, the intranet system at the UA is a privilege, not a right. It is a perk of living on campus. Were access to the Internet a right to all students, those of us who live off campus would have it as well. Being a privilege, it can be controlled and constrained by the will of the givers: the university and CCIT.

Even our unalienable rights have conditions and restrictions. It is true that we have the right to free speech, yet shouting "fire" in a crowded room or "bomb" on an airplane is against the law. Everyone understands and accepts these limitations on those particular freedoms.

If the UA were to ban pornographic content from the school's intranet system, it would be within its legal rights. No one is saying you cannot view pornography. They are just saying that you can't do it using school resources.

Benjamin L. Drake
mechanical engineering senior

Comparison between Parks, Ch‡vez poor

Writing in response to Amy Hagemeier's response to Andrew McCarthy's letter about the futile controversy surrounding the renaming of the UA Economics building for CŽsar Ch‡vez, I feel like the character in an old Monty Python skit who objects to the next message. Nonetheless, I find the moralistic smarminess of Ms. Hagemeier's comments sufficiently distressing to merit the effort.

To begin with, it is highly doubtful that Rosa Parks, or anyone of her generation, thought of herself as a "person of color." I always envision people bereft of color bowing their heads in reverence whenever they utter this unctuous neologism.

And might not human freedom more reliably result from humans acting freely, rather than being forced to comport themselves in accordance with notions of virtue espoused by even such secular saints as Ch‡vez and Hagemeier? Imagine that! Freedom resulting from freedom! Of course, so long as humans differ in values and abilities as much as they do in quanta of color, no single vision of righteousness and justice is guaranteed to prevail. But perhaps that is freedom.

Jim Foley
Tucson, Arizona

Heterosexuality can be Îrediscovered'

It was with great interest that I read about Coming Out Week at my beloved alma mater, as well as the controversy about Tim Wilkins' speech.

Back in 1975, I came to the UA, and, in addition to the excellent education I received, I began the journey of coming out of homosexuality. Yes, I had been sexually active, was somewhat involved with gay subculture and decided that I did not want to continue. I wanted to rediscover my heterosexuality! With the help of a Christian counselor holding similar values and student organizations such as BSM and Campus Crusade for Christ, I found answers beyond just not acting out on very strong emotions and feelings.

Although the APA removed homosexuality from its list of illnesses in 1972, to date there is no definitive scientific proof that homosexuality is genetic, hormonal or biological (I encourage you to read the studies for yourselves). We can control with whom and when we are sexually active.

Tim Wilkins is a colleague of mine through the Exodus International Network, in existence since 1976 and extending worldwide. We uphold the value of heterosexuality. We want to speak to those who may not be comfortable with homosexuality and are looking for another alternative to just accepting it. How could we hate homosexuals when we understand their pain because of having been there ourselves? How could offering an apology on part of the church be conceived as hateful? Our society gives us the right to freedom of expression and differing opinions.

I am proud that the UA was open to present another side of a very controversial issue.

Michael R. Newman
UA alumnus

Bermudez comic has Îinappropriate humor'

This is in response to Monica Caballero's Thursday letter. It doesn't matter if Mr. Bermudez is Hispanic or not. You still can't justify his inappropriate humor on accents. He is working for the campus newspaper, which is read by more than 15,000 people, including Hispanic and international students. So there should be some sense of respect in his humor. I think Monica Caballero liked "Sarape's Grill" because she was having a very busy and stressful day. Suggestion to her: Take some time off on the weekend and read all the "Sarape's Grill" archives online. I am sure you would agree with me. Mr. Bermudez can do a better job if he is really interested in showing us Hispanic culture. He should keep doing what he's doing, but add some respect.

Prashant Raj
engineering management junior