Letter writers often forget about unity

We all remember Sept. 11, 2001. We remember the anguish felt that day, as we feared the sound of planes above us and frantically called loved ones. We remember our sense of loss, as more and more innocent lives were counted dead every hour for almost a week. We remember the telethons and hundreds of charities formed in its wake. But does anyone remember the sense of unity we gained in the following days, months, year?

In this past year, the Wildcat has been flooded with complaints to the editor, not letters, complaints. Some of them have targeted President Bush or Sen. Kerry, some have targeted Republicans or Democrats, and some have targeted specific individuals who have spoken out about their beliefs. What all of us seem to forget or ignore when reading the opinions section, however, is that they are just that: opinions. This country was founded on the belief that all have the right to their own opinion and also the right to express it. If nothing else, we learn from this section that one of our fellow students, faculty, or alumni has a different outlook on something than we do, and this isn't something to be outraged about.

It seems like the new, hip insult is to call someone a liberal or a conservative, words that once implied nothing more than political party affiliation. It is unfortunate, to say the least, that a person is automatically stereotyped based on his or her party of choice. Aren't there enough stereotypes in this country already? Would it kill us to look beyond the label and see the person behind it? Respect for humanity is what we are fighting for in Iraq and across the world, whether you believe we should be there or not. Perhaps our fight needs to be fought here as well.

We are a nation diverse in so many aspects, but we are so quick to judge others based on their differences. We should be embracing our diversity, instead of condemning it. Will it take another tragedy like Sept. 11 to unite us once again? I hope not.

Lindsay Lesser
psychology sophomore

Grad students deserve better

Graduate school is an interesting time in life, especially when viewed from the perspective of the student's health.

Professors have been there and current students know about the stress that the graduate student endures.

But there are many jobs that are hazardous. Why continue reading about the plight of the graduate student?

Because graduate school is one of those special times in life when the benefits of complete health insurance are not readily available, and out of the reach of many due to the circumstances of graduate school.

As children growing up, we are provided with health and dental insurance (hopefully) through one of our working parents. Upon beginning the undergraduate life after high school, the benefits of the insured can still be applied for a few years after the age of 18, providing that the "child" is a student in good standing.

Upon entering the work force after working hard for our college degrees, or even without a college degree, one of the benefits of our new daily routine in life may be the health, dental and vision insurance (along with time and money) that we get through our employers.

But what becomes of the recent graduate who immediately enters graduate school? The great safety net of insurance is pulled out from underneath, or great holes are slashed into that net.

Graduate students who are employed at the UA as teaching or research assistants have holes in their safety nets, since they are too old to benefit from their parents' insurance and not able to completely participate in the work force to get the benefits of complete insurance benefits.

Why are citizens of this great nation who are seeking to better themselves and society through education and who are about to receive the highest academic degree attainable honored for their dedication by being referred to the welfare office?

Health coverage is something that no one should be without.

The distinguished institution of the University of Arizona should show its respect to its college-degree holding graduate student employees if not by paying more than Wal-Mart wages, then by at least providing vision and dental insurance.

David Morales
applied mathematics graduate student