ÎB-Fish' comic not racist; letter points to problem

In response to Travis Lane's letter of complaint about the Nov. 14 "B-Fish" comic being racist and objectifying Native Americans, there are several basic points that need to be addressed. Mr. Lane, comics neither create nor propagate racism and should be taken in the simple context that they are intended. This particular "B-Fish" was making a comparison between Mounds and Almond Joy candy bars, and only used Indians as a framework, since at one time, certain "tribes" were domiciled in mounds. The cartoonist Dave Low was neither ridiculing nor oppressing any group of human beings. Thus, there is no need to take offense, as your finger pointing serves no purpose other than allowing you to mount that all-too-tempting high horse and cry "RACISM!" at the top of your lungs. To quote from author Dave Eggers, "one of our educated society's most harmful activities is when people, students and teachers alike, run around college campuses calling each other racists and anti-Semites. It's born of boredom, lassitude. Too cowardly to address problems of substance where such problems actually are, we claw at those close to us. We point to our neighbor, in the khakis and sweater, and cry foul. It's ridiculous. We find enemies among our peers because we know them better, and their proximity and familiarity means we don't have to get off the couch to dismantle them." So please, fight problems where they exist, take offense to the truly offensive, and leave the comic strips alone.

J. Thompson
art and history senior

ÎOptimal Stubble' should be printed five days a week

Okay guys. Three words, one question: what the hell? What are you thinking? Taking "Optimal Stubble" out of the five-day rotation and relegating it back to the land of twice-a-week? When "Guapo" is still allowed to run rampant with nothing other than crotch-joke crutches to lean on? Or "Slapdash," which never ceases to amaze with the lack of work that goes into it or the non-existent amount of humor that comes out of it? Come on guys, I know you've made a few mistakes ("Fast Facts" not withstanding), but this simply should not pass! I mean, it seems like there's a seniority rule, so I can see why "Slapdash" might stay, but "Guapo?" Not once was I ever amused, and even with my active imagination, I can't see anyone laughing at that pile of crap. All I'm saying is don't think that you have to print all you're submitted. Try to base it instead on a combination of merit, representation (I mean, "Sarape's Grill" represents an ethnicity and "Optimal Stubble" represents the party culture and good taste), and frickin' quality. Please, just reconsider. That's all I'm asking. And that you axe "Guapo" or "Fast Facts" to make room for it. Thanks.

D.J. Andrzejczak
psychology freshman

Comics section opts for racist slurs over humor

When I was a kid, one of the only things I could look forward to in the morning was the comics in the newspaper. I guess that's one thing that hasn't changed. I hate to admit it ÷ I still want to turn straight to the comic section; however, the Wildcat is slowly weaning me of this habit. No, it's not the exposŽs on how much our pets hate us, but more the questionable quality of the comics themselves. I'm trying to wrap my mind around the demographic that finds minimalist Frenchmen and jokes I first saw on popsicle sticks (that's you, Guapo) to be the height of comedy. I noticed the Monday comics dedicated three whole comics to racial slurs. That might be a new record! Now the editing gods have decided to relegate Optimal Stubble back to two days a week. ARRGHHH!!! Finally, there was a comic that remembered that its college students who read the Wildcat!!! So, naturally, you treat it like a second-class citizen. Don't take away one of only a precious few comics that I actually look forward to every morning!

Christopher Kresge
accounting senior

Low turnout at Democratic forum due to candidates

I am tired of reading the constant conservative bashing that takes place in the Wildcat. In yet another article, we see a reasonable argument quickly become an attack on our President or conservative values. Jessica Lee makes the argument that people did not show up for the presidential debate because we are too apathetic to hear new things. And then she goes on to attack President Bush and his policies. I am all for healthy debate and voicing your opinion, but do so in a constructive way. Don't force people to listen to your tired tirades. I am a conservative and I am not part of either "corporate America or special interests." So does that make me wrong? Maybe I don't want to see our taxes raised through the roof due to all the wonderful ideas of the Democrats you praise. Let me ask you this: Who is going to pay for all the wonderful programs you mentioned? Who will bear the responsibility? The answer is the taxpayer. Believe it or not, the government has to fund these programs somehow and the only way to do that is to get it from the people. I am a conservative because I believe in a need for limited government. When your candidates start to preach something I believe in, I will show up. Otherwise I am going to be anywhere but in a room with them.

Rob Lofgren
education junior

Democrats lack platform; Republicans will prevail

Jessica Lee's opinion article, "Presidential primary deserves student attention," fails to understand the political apathy of UA students. In her article she shifts blame to the students for not becoming more politically involved. My contention is that the there is no Democratic candidate in the field that has ignited the interest and support of the populace. The fact is that these candidates for the most part have no stapled convictions, except for the fact that they are more "anti-Bush" than the other guy. From the debates, anyone can see them flip-flopping positions more than a Jenna Jamison porno. The truth is that the incessant attacks on President Bush do not compromise a political platform. Lee's article falls into the same attitude of her beloved Democratic Nine. She obviously cannot help using every opportunity to bash President Bush, using the same lies and distortions to convey her liberal message to the student body. She attacks Bush for Iraq, the economy and being beholden to special interests. These assertions ignore the facts: 1) there has recently been a surge in the U.S. economy, 2) Bush raises money from personal donations (the top contributor industry is retired personal donors), whereas Democrats receive most of their donations and support from unions, minority organizations and lawyers, 3) Iraq has become a critical battleground in the war on terror, and its success is essential to regional stability. If the Democratic candidates do not become more in touch with the U.S. mainstream, then they are doomed for another disastrous defeat like the one in 2002. They will not gain the interest of the UA student body or the national populace. So thank God, the Republicans will sweep in Î04.

Patrick Trimble
pre-business freshman

Muslim faith education efforts not Îhypocritical'

Coming from a completely agnostic viewpoint, I fail to see how education about the Muslim faith is an act of "hypocrisy," as Mr. Hager would suggest in his letter to the Wildcat. Education is the only way to fight ignorance, and it is ignorance that causes conflicts between people with different religious beliefs. His argument that Muslims are "pressing their beliefs upon others" is completely unfounded. Phrases such as "Praise Allah" or "Happy Ramadan" are about as religiously stigmatizing as "God Bless" or "Merry Christmas."

Using the exact same logic, every time George W. Bush proclaims "God Bless America," 70 million U.S. citizens who do not practice the Christian faith should be outraged. Personally, I'd like to think that the President of my country has more of a social pull than a letter in the Wildcat exclaiming, "Praise Allah," but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

If people truly "don't care to learn" about other religions, they should continue to do what they have been doing all along and not listen. No one is forcing you to educate yourself, let alone adopt these other beliefs, so it is truly a non-issue if this were really the case. However, this is not the real case. People make accusations of religious radicalism in these situations based on the fact that they are threatened by beliefs that they do not share.

Granted, there are radicals on both sides that are offended when public declarations of "God Bless" or "Praise Allah" are made, but they are in the minority, as I hope the views stated by Mr. Hager are. "God" or "Allah" ÷ it is just an issue of semantics, and I hope everyone can take a step back from their personal views long enough to see that.

Scott Schatz
psychology junior

Learning about other holidays fosters tolerance

I would like to first say that many strong opinions from both sides have been mentioned regarding whether or not to publish articles regarding holidays. I would like to also mention to my fellow Muslims at the University of Arizona that I know Seth Frantzman as a friend and I know he is not anti-Muslim. At the same time I would like to mention to Mr. Frantzman, Mr. Hager, Silas Montgomery and the rest that our university is a diverse and multicultural setting where students of many backgrounds come to study.

Recently Hindus celebrated their holiday Diwali; Ramadan is in its last week; Hanukkah is about to start in a few days; Christmas is right around the corner and Greek Orthodox Christmas is on the sixth of January. Plus there is also Chinese New Year.

I would also like to mention that Ramadan is not a holiday but only a regular month in the lunar calendar followed by Arabs for centuries. The actual holiday for Muslims is the first three days of Shaban (the month right after Ramadan) which is called Eid-Al-Fitr. Regardless of what one's religion is, I see holidays as a time when families get together, we all pray for peace and seek blessings and mercy from the Almighty in our own way, and we all try to invite our neighbors to dinners, feasts or whatever gatherings we may have.

I would like to invite all readers to come and visit the Islamic Center of Tucson or ask one of fellow your Muslim classmates or colleagues if you can have Iftar with them. I hope in return you share your holidays with us. Residence Life had a great program called Holiday Fest where we learned about the holidays of the major world faiths.

As a former R.A., I helped my residents organize a Passover dinner in Manzi-Mo and, to my surprise, I learned that day how close Islam is to Judaism. The Bah'ai club organized a banquet for ASUA in 1999 and we all learned about this new and quickly growing community in the U.S. I learned from the Pagan student club that Christmas is actually their holiday, celebrated in Europe for centuries before Christ was born. However they recognize the virgin birth of their god, Saturn.

Of course, from right after Halloween until Dec. 24th, every store, newspaper, financial news network and TV commercial shares, through carols, reindeers and Santa Claus that Christmas is coming. I don't see myself tortured or bombarded by a holiday that is not mine, because your holidays are like my holidays in more ways than one. We all share love, peace and harmony between all societies and have common ground in terms of friendship, family values, and helping the needy and poor.

In the Bible, Jesus always started his conversations by saying, "peace be upon you." Muslims in Arabic say, "As Salaam O Alaikum;" Jews say, "Shalom;" Hindus say, "Namastay" and Navajos say, "Ayoo Aniishnii." I pray for all of us to gain understanding and seek friendship with one another.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Ahmad Saad Nasim
UA alumnus