TPD offers invaluable services to community

Yesterday's article by Melissa Wirkus, "Students discuss police raids at forum, not neighbor relations," shows the type of ignorance coming from those students who have major issues with the police, especially about the police raids at drinking parties. There is no doubt that members of the police force have done some stupid things, like abusing their authority. However, the police are of great service to each and every community they protect and serve. However, when I hear someone complain about the police, like those students at Tuesday night's forum, I never hear anything good said about what the police have done to make a difference in the community. Nothing! Not even a, "Thank you, UAPD, for arresting those who dropped a dry-ice bomb from a dorm." Not even a thank-you to the police for responding swiftly to emergency calls about some nut who went off the deep end at the Nursing College back in October 2002. [Read article]

It looks like our good friend Rep. Linda Lopez is at it again. A few weeks ago it was smoking; this week it's drive-thru liquor stores. I'll bet in the next month we'll see a proposal to ban strip clubs, and after that, who knows? After all, we only have so many vices in this state, and the Indian casinos are on sovereign land.

Monday's Wildcat reported that Lopez, a Democrat from Tucson, has proposed a bill that would prevent the Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control from issuing new licenses to liquor stores with drive-thru windows. The argument from Lopez and Yolanda Herrera, president of the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association who initially proposed the idea, is that drive-thru liquor stores promote drinking and driving. They also argue that these stores contribute to problems in the neighborhood such as littering and loitering. I hate to burst their bubble, but the drive-thru window isn't their problem. [Read article]

Reality television disgusts me. It is absolutely appalling how many people are willing to watch these losers' sadly pathetic and disturbing exploits. When I say "losers," I don't just mean the guys on "Average Joe." I mean "Joe Millionaire," the people willing to eat buffalo testicles for a few cents and those who are just generally looking to be embarrassed. Pitiful! And notice that every person appearing on these shows is some special form of moron. Unfortunately, the nation's eyes are glued to the television for every moment of it, including mine. ... But mind that this has been for research purposes only! I take not a moment of enjoyment out of sitting on the couch with an ice cream sundae and laughing at another's misery until hot fudge starts running out my nose. [Read article]

The tuition increase recommended by President Peter Likins is unfair to in-state students when compared to the proposal for out-of-state students.

The proposed resident tuition hike is 8.2 percent more than nonresident tuition. In 2002-2003, the last year before the significant increases began, nonresidents paid 440 percent more than residents. Since then, the difference between the two has shrunk. This year, nonresidents pay 350 percent more, and if the regents approve Likins' proposal, nonresidents will pay just 325 percent more than residents. [Read article]

Question: Do you think Arizona made the right choice in Tuesday's Democratic presidential primary?

"Yeah, I think they made the right choice. They elected to go with John Kerry, and I want Bush out. I'm not sure if Kerry can beat him, but I hope he can."

"I really don't think it matters because Bush is going to win anyway. It's going to be a close race, but he'll come out on top. Gore would have been a better candidate." [Read article]