Tucson light rail system Îwell worth the cost'

In its misguided opposition to Propositions 200 and 201, the Wildcat editorial board claims that the success of a proposed light rail system is a "$1 billion gamble." This could not be further from the truth. While the entire plan would cost $1 billion over the course of 20 years, improving many facets of Tucson's transportation system, less than $250 million would be spent on light rail in those 20 years. The board goes on to claim that improved bus service could be achieved far more cheaply. Indeed, if this plan included only improved bus service, it would cost less than half of its current price tag. However, including only bus service would ignore the needs of bicyclists, pedestrians and crumbling neighborhood streets

Finally, road widening costs far more than light rail and improved transit.

The Pima Association of Governments' regional transportation plan calls for spending $20 billion in road widening over the next 20 years. Allocating 5 percent of our transportation system to a light rail system, which will not destroy our environment and neighborhoods, is well worth the cost. The facts of every side should be carefully thought over before making such a rash decision, as the Wildcat editorial board has done over Propositions 200 and 201.

Ann VerSteeg
psychology senior

Girls should try Îtreats of self-respect, dignity'

Thank you so much, Jessica Suarez, for your column on Halloween costumes that brought the unfortunate reality of today's sluts out of the gutter and to everyone's attention. Everyone will probably think I'm some feminist Nazi for agreeing with you, but those sluts and horny guys can go about being whores while I discuss this matter. Anyway, I completely agree that all of these girls are taking advantage of this holiday, other holidays and everyday to look as much like whores as possible.

To me, Halloween is a holiday to release one's inner child by dressing up in fun costumes and indulging in candies, but as I recall, children don't often ask Mom to buy them a hooker costume. What a shame these people are by desecrating an enjoyable holiday for children and making it into another damn sex fest like every other weekend at the club.

It was unfortunate to see your article appear only three pages after a half-page ad for a "Pimps and Hos Halloween Bash," which further demonstrates the continuing decline of the value of self-respect. Radio ads have also lured these girls off their street corners on Halloween into parties where they will yet again be paid for being sluts by saying, "Leave the scary costumes to the guys, ladies, and come in sexy ones," with $1,500 in prizes for the "sexiest" costume. Perhaps these "hos" will find it truly scary when they contract a sexually transmitted disease through their promiscuous behavior instead.

I know this problem is far from being resolved, but I urge these women to reach for the treats of self-respect and dignity rather than being tricks themselves. However, I will be sure to begin preparing myself for the slutty Santas and elves, and slutty Easter bunnies to come in the following months.

Araceli Cons
journalism junior

Laws barring underage drinking save many lives

This is in response to Mr. Joe Hawkins letter concerning underage drinking. I am appalled to see Mr. Hawkins' lack of ignorance towards the law. Speeding is not against the law, as it is an infraction. May I suggest that Mr. Hawkins go to this Web site to familiarize himself with Arizona's Speeding Regulations: http://www.nhtsa.dot.

gov/people/injury/enforce/stspdlaw98/azspeed.htm. What is against the law is underage drinking. Mr. Hawkins said it himself when he stated, "it is safe to assume that a criminal is one who commits a crime or breaks a law (like underage drinking)."

In fact, you are probably wondering why the legal drinking age is 21 and not 18. A number of states lowered the drinking age back in the late '60s and early '70s, but they did some research and realized that there was a significant increase in highway deaths amongst teens affected by these laws. So the law was changed back in the early '80s, and many of the states found out that the highway fatalities were reduced, sometimes drastically.

Your point is moot, as you cannot equate speeders, who are committing infractions, to underage drinkers, who are breaking the law. They are not on the same level, as infractions result in a fine, and misdemeanors and felonies result in a harsher punishment ÷ dependent on the crime.

Yes, speeding is dangerous, as I have had many a friend die ÷ seven, to be exact ÷ when they should have been pulled over for speeding. However, with the law, you cannot imprison a speeder unless there are other infractions imposed. (See Web site posted earlier.)

So while Mr. Hawkins hopes that Ms. Sabrina Noble does not get a law degree, I hope that Mr. Hawkins reads and understands the law more before he makes judgment on a situation. Thank you Ms. Noble for writing your column.

Ross Richard
environmental science senior

Gulf war veteran says, ÎLet the kids drink'

After reading new reports of Tucson Police Department cracking down on underage drinking, a likely solution to the problem would be to make the drinking age 18 again. In this country, the age of 18 is the age of consent and a person is considered an adult. Being an adult comes with many privileges and responsibilities. When a person turns 18, they acquire the right to sign legal documents for themselves, get married, assume financial responsibility, serve in our Armed Forces and be subject to the laws and regulations of our state and nation.

A person who is considered a legal adult should have the right to consume alcoholic beverages, but with that right comes responsibility. If a person chooses to consume alcoholic beverages, then they should be prepared to face the consequences of their actions. It seems to me there is a double standard when it comes to the legal drinking age. If a person who is considered a legal adult chooses to assume adult responsibilities, then that person should be able to enjoy the privilege of consuming alcoholic beverages.

Of course, what do I know, after all I am only a 33-year old veteran of the first Gulf War who came back to school to get his degree. Just an observation, that's all.

Leroy Walters
management information
systems junior

UAPD needs better excuse to harass students at 2 a.m.

I would like to reply to the opinion by Sabrina Noble in last Friday's Wildcat about the fact that underage drinking is illegal. The author did not understand a correct way for police to go about policing the drinking age. I believe that the age limit on alcohol is set in order to reduce disruptive parties. This is a valid excuse for enforcement. It's fine that police bust up the loud parties, since the real reason revolves around the disturbance of peace. The wrong way to bust underage drinkers is to have the police on patrol throughout the campus streets questioning every pedestrian who "looks funny." As a funny-looking person who likes to stay out late, I take offense at every police officer who shines a flashlight in my eyes and asks if I'm sober. People don't have to drink in order to be loud and obnoxious ÷ I'm living proof. That's no excuse to blind and harass me at 2 a.m. while I'm walking back to my dorm.

Would anyone like to know why this hasn't been brought up before? It's because the quiet drinkers aren't the most commonly busted. The few who are tend to live with their mistake. However, I believe that it is wrong to hunt out these peaceful drunkards. If police concentrated more on problematic drinking, then at least some of the protests would go away. I also dislike the idea of police waiting outside of parties for underage drinkers. This is a waste of time and taxes used to hunt teenagers who are doing no harm to anyone but themselves, depending on if they've earned a hangover. If the drinking laws are in place to eliminate loud parties, then I expect this practice of police camping regular parties to cease ASAP.

Michael Werth
engineering physics freshman

UA athletics should be patient, wait for Spurrier

With the way things are going for the Washington Redskins, the football coach search committee should wait for Steve Spurrier to be fired. He will be looking for a new job in the near future. Bring Spurrier back to college football and let him take the reins in Tucson. It will be a good move for him and our football program. After buying out Mackovic and paying off what was left of Tomey's salary, there is still no shortage of funds for the athletic program. Whatever it costs for Spurrier, it will be worth it down the road. Spurrier will be the best person to turn our program around and get the Cats a bowl game within the next few seasons. Livengood will make the money back from all of the coaches we have been through over the last few seasons. More importantly though, he will win back and restore hope for the football fans at Arizona.

Matt Van Derlaske
elementary education senior

Greek houses provide Îsafe' trick-or-treat alternative

Thank you to all of the members of the UA's greek chapters and clubs who hosted the Fourth Annual Halloween Carnival on Thursday. My 2-year-old daughter thoroughly enjoyed her first time trick-or-treating and receiving gobs of candy from the welcoming and cheerful undergrads. Our entire family had such an enjoyable time! What a nice, safe alternative to going door-to-door!

Robin A. Ward
assistant professor, mathematics education

Professors should spend additional time Îteaching'

I am tired of having 50 percent of my classes "taught" by professors who feel all they need to do is review and say out loud what the material covered is. This is not teaching. It seems many have decided to "profess" facts and allow the students to teach themselves, using class as a review session where we may ask questions.

I need teachers who take an interest in whether or not the students are understanding on a daily basis. It is my responsibility to learn material, but I pay for someone to teach, not for someone to read through his notes out loud for me. I can read books and study on my own for free; I want teachers, not professors. I want teachers who understand that I pay them to make sure I understand every single day. I of course work outside of class, but it seems as though half of my education is independent study. For that I would rather not pay the new tuition prices.

And for God's sake, stop having foreign graduate students, who have been in the United States for a year, teach English. Some may be brilliant, but the majority are young adults struggling with their own communication in a new country, despite knowing all the rules of English grammar.

Michael Tolle
creative writing senior

Zona Zoo lottery system doesn't reward true fans

The current system of distributing student basketball tickets is horrible. The lottery takes tickets away from the more dedicated fans. The students who are willing to stay up all night and be crushed by those around them just to get tickets are the type of fans that should be at the game. It sucks to know that there is nothing I can do to improve my chances of getting basketball tickets but pay $35 dollars for the stupid Zona Zoo Pass, which pretty much every other student has as well. The real problem with last year was the lack of security and organization on the part of the university. Five security guards are not going to handle thousands of people. As for the mob, it was a result of the policy that no lines could be formed before 7 a.m., so people just crowded around instead. With proper security and a real line, none of that would have happened. Let students be allowed to show that they are real fans by camping out all night to get tickets. Those are the students who deserve to be at the games.

Greg Babiars
computer engineering junior