Open dialogue leads to understanding, retrospection

I too, like Dan Post, have been in Europe for just over 3 weeks now. I am living in Wuerzburg, Germany for 10 weeks conducting neurobiology research through the UA's BRAVO program.

I wanted to concur with Dan's comments. When I first arrived in Germany I was a very foreign, very awkward American (especially not speaking the language and with this being my first time abroad). I have tried to blend in with the European culture, and I've done my best to avoid fitting the American stereotypes. Quickly, though, I have come to realize that I came here with stereotypes as well. I've learned, though, that Germany is not just the land of beer and sausage ("wurst," as it's called here).

In the conversations that have ensued here with my new German friends, I've come to realize that these stereotypes need not be avoided, rather in many ways they serve as markers of our cultural identities. Yes, of course, you have the obnoxious American tourists that give the rest of us a bad name, but as a young American abroad I know that I don't have to fill the preconceived notions about who Americans are.

Instead, my experiences in Germany are teaching me that we are all human. We may have our differences when it comes to politics, religion, the things we eat or even what we wear. What is more important, though, is understanding these differences and communicating with others – something that I am enjoying very much here in Germany.

So, if you travel abroad, I would encourage you to explore how others feel about America--our people, our land, our government, etc.--and, do the same in regard to their country. It's a service not only to yourself and them, but to the tarnishing global image of America.

John Biebelhausen
Psychology junior

Wildcat needs better content

The importance of using recycled water? Surely there are more newsworthy items in the world today.

The Downing Street Memo, for instance. I find this memo, which provides even more evidence that Bush manipulated intelligence to justify going to war, to be more important than vanity coverage of Michael Jackson, or the heart-warming story of a woman winning a lottery.

Half a million Americans have signed a petition demanding an explanation, as well as 90 members of Congress. Should this be so easily dismissed?

In these times where more and more Americans find they increasingly cannot trust the media, the printing of significant new stories like these must take precedence over celebrity trials and other, comparatively trivial matters.

Andrew Wagner
UA Alumnus