'Speedway devils' not devils made out to be

The article on "Speedway devils" in the Tuesday edition of the Wildcat forgot to mention one important point: People like the ones featured in the article with "hooked-up" vehicles are generally not accepted by true automotive enthusiasts. To real enthusiasts, people that spend $4,000 on a vehicle and run 14-second quarter miles are pathetic.

I would not expect the author of the article to have any clue about this since he actually thinks that Subaru made the "300Z, " and thinks that there is something special about a Subaru WRX running 14-second quarter miles. It is also quite comical how one of the featured vehicle's owner does the "work" himself to make sure it's done right. Somebody should teach him how to properly mount fog lights and how not to ruin a classic automobile with useless "look at me accessories." Or maybe he should just purchase the other guy's Ford Escort. That way, when he mounts a ridiculous wing and strobe lights on that vehicle, no one will really care.

Roberto Bringas
electrical engineering senior

Free speech good, but stop wasting our time

Now, anyone who has been on campus for more than five minutes knows Rachel Wilson's name. She's been protesting everything in the loudest and crudest methods since I was an undergrad. And I say this having supported many of the causes that she claims to be fighting for. Ideologically, we are aligned. But her antics and childishness have made me not only embarrassed for her as an individual, but also angry. Instead of trying to get her argument across to undecided people, she turns them off with her publicity stunts and fanatical language. She hurts the causes more than she could ever help them. Frankly, I'm ashamed of someone who should be upholding the virtues of the legal profession and can't even make a coherent argument against Chief Justice Rehnquist without resorting to personal attacks.

So where does that leave all of us who are offended by the "Law Students for Free Speech Flier" and who support the right of a group to protest Chief Justice Rehnquist's views (regardless of our own beliefs in the matter)? We can't support the National Lawyers Guild after that infantile e-mail. And this is thanks to Rachel Wilson, who has seen fit to grace the law school with her presence.

NLG, regardless of whether you agree with its political beliefs, is an amazing group with an amazing history. And they are currently under scrutiny from law enforcement because they are effective at voicing their protests (See "An Antiwar Forum in Iowa Brings Federal Subpoenas," Feb. 10, New York Times). The last thing they need is this pedestrian level of insults.

I support free speech content. I will support it forever. What I don't support are underhanded tricks by unrecognized groups that are trying to sully the name of a national organization. And what I don't support are the personal attacks by people who claim to be helping a cause I support, but are only undermining it by turning people off who otherwise might care.

Veneranda Aguirre
UA law student

'Mind or Body' needs to change for the better

A funny thing happened the other day when I was sitting outside the Student Union Memorial Center enjoying a break between classes. I was treated to a live taping of the new hit game show produced by UA students called "Mind or Body." Oh glorious day, a gimmicky dating game show being produced right here on our own campus! This was a real treat, let me tell you. I was on the edge of my seat as each contestant bumbled his or her way through a veritable gauntlet of brain buster questions like, "Do you know who the Beatles are?" and "If you were a fruit, what type of fruit would you be?" Eventually, all the contestants ran out of questions and the conversations quickly degraded into torturous one-on-one interviews from behind a curtain with sample dialogue like, "Where are you from?" "Seattle." "Oh that's cool, tehehetehehe." Look, I can't change the channel anymore without a "Tail Daters," "Blind Date" or "Dismissed" being on the TV, and now I have to deal with yet another dating show whilst I am walking to class? It really makes me envy the arranged weddings that still occur all over the world. I guess I'll just have to try out for the next "Joe Millionaire" or "For Love or Money" to find my one true love. Damn.

My suggestion is for the producers of "Mind or Body" to start writing their own questions and spice things up a bit. Here are two sample questions that might actually get the contestants talking: "If you were a porn star, what would your name be?" or "If you accidentally killed my pet, would you hide the evidence or come clean?" "Mind or Body" could also just change the premise of the show entirely. They could change it to "Drunk or Sober." Two contestants meet and have dinner, completely sober, and see if they hit it off. Then the next night, the same contestants have dinner, but this time they are completely smashed and the sparks really fly! "Drunk or Sober" could work, and it would be totally applicable for the UA. I'll host.

Kyle Booen
pre-pharmacy sophomore

'Remember Hall and Oates' off the mark

This is in response to the poorly written article "Remember Hall and Oates? We didn't either," by Gabe Joselow. Mr. Joselow has no understanding as to the true function of the upcoming benefit concert. As the coordinator of the concert, let me enlighten you.

The UA Hillel Foundation organizes a benefit concert annually to support the building and the programs that the organization funds on campus. Approximately 300 programs and meetings are held annually through this nonprofit organization. The benefit concert to help support Hillel is already on limited budget. Every year, a committee of donors and Hillel supporters search for artists to bring out for the concert. The committee chooses artists based on the donor target group because this is a benefit (public entertainment, performance or social event held to raise funds for a person or cause) concert.

Individuals within the community can take part in the concert by becoming a patron, benefactor or corporate donor. The donation amounts vary. For each designated level, there are various packages that they receive. Some include ads in the program for the evening, an invitation to pre-show and post-show parties, a meet-and-greet with the artists and tickets to the show. Individuals who choose not to be donors can attend the concert for $37 and $47; proceeds support Hillel as well. Many Tucsonans, in fact, remember Hall and Oates, considering 1,850 tickets to the show have already been sold.

It is sad that Mr. Joselow has forgotten the importance of this concert. Many students on campus grew up listening to Hall and Oates through their parents. It is sad that Mr. Joselow used quotes from students who didn't even know who the artists are.

So my question is: Know Gabe Joselow? Many people don't either.

Heather Lobenstein
journalism and communication senior