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.

Benjamin Collins
ecology and evolutionary biology junior

Take responsibility for personal awareness

Thank you to Holly Wells and Melissa Halterman for clearly delivering the message of the dangers of walking home alone for everyone, including male students, in the story about Jake Watts' assault in the Feb. 4 Wildcat. Jake is recovering from his extensive injuries; he will miss the spring semester to regain his health, but plans to return to classes in the summer. Thanks to all of you who sent your love and prayers for his rapid and complete recovery.

The Tucson Police Department has closed any investigation of the attack on Jake due to the lack of evidence or witnesses. Their attitude has been one of complete nonchalance, failing to return phone calls or to follow up after taking a statement over the telephone 10 days after the attack. Their attitude can reasonably be summed up as, "Ho-hum, another student assaulted, nothing we can do." This strikes a particular nerve, when in the same edition of the Wildcat, officer Mike Pryor of TPD was quoted as saying, "If we can reduce the number of underage drinkers, we can have more officers fighting crime." Obviously, the real criminals in Tucson are students drinking beer, while those committing random violent assaults on innocent pedestrians are given a thumbs-up to continue in their behaviors.

My plea to all of you: Please take personal responsibility and do everything you can to increase your awareness and safety on a day-to-day basis (including drinking responsibly, if you do drink). Don't take the chance that your parents might have to answer a phone call similar to the one I received from the University Medical Center Emergency Department on the morning of Jan. 25.

Paula Johnson
mother of Jake Watts
Tucsonan

ResLife policy will not accomplish its goals

Why would Residence Life want to prohibit groups from meeting in residence halls if not every member is a resident of that specific hall and the meeting is not hall-related? ResLife gives some reasons:

First, ResLife wishes to avoid overcrowding in areas by groups unrelated to the hall. However, why can't overcrowding be dealt with on an individual basis, to ensure efficient use of space?

Second, ResLife fears members of these groups will attempt to solicit new members (horror of horrors, a student might have to say "No"). However, ResLife admitted to receiving no complaints about such solicitation. Anyway, a resident of a hall can solicit as well as a nonresident. Therefore, to prevent solicitation specifically will require other methods, such as having resident assistants stop or remove people who do. However, RAs already do. If a student has a problem with solicitation (such as offensive or obnoxious methods), the student can call an RA, and the RA can deal with the person, resident or otherwise.

Third, ResLife wants to aid security by keeping strange people out of residence halls. However, the only way to get into such halls is with a key or with the help of a person with a key. Therefore, preventing groups from meeting does not address the real security issue. People can still be let in anyway. Therefore, if someone is intent on entering the dorm, particularly if they have inside help (knowing or otherwise), ostracizing honorary societies will not stop them.

In ResLife's defense, having extra people in the dorm does create a greater possibility for problems, especially having these people unattended by residents. However, is it not also ResLife's policy that residents escort non-residents? The issue would be greatly affected if there was a large body of documented complaints about these groups; however, if no resident is upset enough to complain, can the problem really be that bad? Also, are residents not subject to greater inconvenience by having to go elsewhere to meet?

Michael Washburn
pre-business freshman

Return of UA yearbook good for graduates

As I was viewing the Wildcat, an advertisement caught my attention; it was the Desert Yearbook ad about graduating senior pictures. Out of curiosity, I checked its Web site. It stated that a wonderful part of the UA's culture is being brought back. This is the UA's yearbook. My cousins and brother graduated from universities across the nation. I always bought them their school yearbooks as graduation gifts. When one of my cousins graduated from the UA last winter, I was surprised to hear that UA did not have a yearbook. Suddenly, I felt that an integral part of the UA's tradition was lost because I could not buy the school yearbook. We stopped publishing the yearbook, and this was such a disappointment to me. The school yearbook holds many memories of school and life. I am glad to know that the UA is bringing back this wonderful tradition and preserving its culture. I am pleased to know that when I graduate, the yearbook will be here.

Prashant Raj
engineering management junior