Left needs to find out what 'tolerance' means

Published regularly in the Wildcat is a comic with no author or title that repeatedly portrays Republicans as intolerant and racist (such as in yesterday's issue). Such an anonymous comic stifles the opportunity for debate, as I know neither what to call the comic nor the author to whom I can direct my opinion. This is the most blatant form of intolerance I know. As the Wildcat will not publish even an anonymous opinion letter, I can only discern this is the intent. It is becoming very clear liberal students do not understand the meaning of the word "tolerance." To find out, they should ask some of their Republican classmates. Rarely has a day gone by during my time on this campus that I have not had to "tolerate" a demeaning remark about my political, moral or religious beliefs. Whether in classroom discussions, course material, on the Mall or in the Wildcat, I am constantly forced to face opinions or lifestyles I do not agree with. I cannot count how many times I have been labeled a racist, a religious fanatic or a warmonger ... all of which I assure you I am not. If the public forums on campus are to be monopolized by the left, I would suggest you all get off your "tolerance" soapbox and find out what the word means. Republican or Democrat, we all want the same things: a safe, just and healthy world for our children. The realization of this has eluded us so far. An open-minded debate, where all sides are heard, is the only way to lead us to such a world. [Read article]

As the Bush-Kerry matchup seems more and more likely, the Democrats are taking issue with the president's military service, the proposed budget and, most fiercely, the general state of the economy.

Some legitimate questions come up about what the administration is going to do about the unemployment rate and why it proposed such a high-cost budget in the face of a large deficit. However, some assertions, with historical references attached to them, are illegitimate. Someone who wishes to discern between constructive questioning (that could yield solid answers from the president) and those catchy claims floating around would be best-advised to take a look back at the timeframe invoked. [Read article]

Last week, President Peter Likins and student lobbyists released similar proposals for a tuition hike next year. They would raise resident tuition by $490 and $400, respectively, and both would raise tuition for out-of-state students by $700. Such a hike, if enacted, would come on the heels of last year's record-setting raise. With that in mind, we asked our columnists, "Which of the tuition proposals on the table do you support - if any - and why?" [Read article]