McGuire column discredits entire greek system

Often when I read the Wildcat I come to find many misguided and misinformed opinions on the greek system. However, I rarely see something like Dan McGuire's Thursday column come from an actual greek organization member.

His shameless ploy to discredit other fraternities in the school newspaper during rush is in poor taste and diminishes his credibility and that of both the Wildcat and his fraternity among the greek system. But more importantly, it negatively portrays the greek system to the student body at large during a time when most fraternities are actively recruiting.

No fraternity that I know of uses something as preposterous as a mathematical system to give bids to potential members. Most fraternities give bids based on quality of character and what the man will contribute to the house and its members, something McGuire claims his fraternity does.

Publishing innuendo and generalized stereotypes about fraternities in general gives the whole greek system a bad name. Most non-greek members couldn't tell you, or really give a damn about, the differences between Beta Theta Pi, Pi Kappa Alpha or Kappa Alpha Theta.

Someone of true greek tradition wouldn't be wasting their time perpetuating this BS. This leaves me with a question. Which house is yours, Mr. McGuire? The one that values "hours of computer games?" The "girl-abusers?" The "blanket bidders?" The one that "lacks brotherhood and true friendship?"

It probably doesn't feel too good when someone puts that on you, as you did to the entire greek system.

Now, I won't stoop to McGuire's level and shamelessly mention my fraternity as being better than the rest. I just hope Beta Theta Pi paid the Wildcat for that advertisement. Everyone knows they (and unfortunately the whole greek system) will be paying for it in loss of credibility.

Will Navarro
journalism junior

Greene Dragon not responsible for arson

On Wednesday, your paper mistakenly identified Greene Dragon as the group thought to be responsible for the float that was set on fire during the 500,000-strong peace march in NYC Sunday.

In fact, the group the NYPD believes is responsible for that incident is Black Bloc, an anarchist group, not the street theater group, Greene Dragon. There was a good deal of confusion in the local press here because the float that the anarchists lit on fire was in the shape of a green dragon's head, but Greene Dragon is NOT an anarchist group. The original error (mischaracterizing Greene Dragon as an "anarchist group" and lumping them in with Black Bloc as suspects in the float torching) appeared in the NY Daily News, but that mistake is now rippling across cyberspace at an alarming rate. You can see for yourself what Greene Dragon is all about at their Web site: www.greenedragon.org.

They're a peaceful group and should not be associated with any criminal activity. That's a mistake that is now turning into a smear.

Bill Egbert
reporter, New York Daily News

Youth respected at RNC

I wanted to quickly share some thoughts with my fellow UA students as I attend the Republican National Convention here in New York. I hope you have all been watching the great speeches from Madison Square Garden. Wednesday night, Senator Zell Miller, a Democrat, gave a rousing speech about how President Bush is the right man, at the right time. The president is doing an amazing job leading us in the war on terror and tonight we will hear from the president himself. As I walk around New York there is one thing that really sticks out to me: youth support of President George W. Bush. Thousands of young people flocked to New York, even though most weren't delegates, to show support for our republican ticket.

Wednesday morning, these same youth came to the floor of Madison Square Garden for the RNC Youth Convention. There is no doubt in my mind that the Republican Party respects the youth of America, and it showed by us having our own event on the floor. I am very fortunate to have been able to make the trip to New York and share in the excitement of renominating a great man to continue leading our country down the right path. Pete Seat
theatre arts senior

Ad tramples women's egos

I'm writing in regards to an ad I came across Tuesday in the Daily Wildcat that greatly offended me. The ad for Advanced Laser Clinics reads, "Hey ladies, four out of five college guys say 'hair free is better'!!!" Millions of young women suffer from body related issues and self-esteem disorders.

I've sat through countless lectures relating to these disorders and their causes and prevention at the UA my past three years here. These programs cost thousands to fund, and here goes the Wildcat trampling over all of that education and tolerance by selling an ad that couldn't have cost more than a couple hundred dollars. The psychological and emotional toll for women who constantly have to put up with this sort of distasteful advertising is even higher.

This company is using a scare tactic by telling women they aren't good enough how they are. A young woman who just wants to be accepted in college and liked by society takes away from this ad that, until she is hair free, four out of five guys here will turn her down. The other huge problem with this ad is a second twisted message it delivers. Cosmetic work and enhancements can change an individual's life that chooses to undergo a procedure in wonderful ways. However, endorsing cosmetic procedures as a way to please someone other than the patient is completely negligent and unethical.

I wouldn't trust this company to do any sort of good work judging by how poorly they choose to advertise their business. My message to the Advanced Laser Clinics and the Daily Wildcat is that women do not attend this university for the purpose of entertaining four out of five males here. We are at this university to learn and grow so that they we contribute our intelligence to society - with or without hair.

Kate Schoenwald-Oberbeck
psychology senior