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Letters to the Editor

Guns don't preclude reason

To the editor,

An article like Zeckets' was long overdue. I became a resident of the US a little less than a year ago. In my home country (Mexico) guns are a regular sight, but not prevalent. I have learned to appreciate my right to keep and bear arms. However, in my very personal perspective, keeping and bearing arms does not preclude me from being reasonable. I just have one question: If guns are so benign, as so many people claim, and teach so many things, why do they kill?

Roberto Mendoza

Political science junior

Students need to take responsibility

To the editor,

All along I've been frustrated by the blatant ignorance and inconsideration that I've witnessed on this campus and, in my fourth year, I've reached a point where I feel the need to express my disappointment with U of A students. The disregard that the majority of U of A students have for both the grounds of the campus and the earth that surrounds it is horribly destructive and utterly irresponsible. Some examples of student apathy are these: the strewing of Wildcat inserts on the ground next to newspaper stands, tossing cigarette butts out of car windows, throwing recyclable glass bottles and cans in the trash, outright littering, using plastic silverware and throwing it away, the list goes on and on. Some of you even had the nerve to give me dirty looks when I started to pick up Wildcat inserts off the ground yesterday, a few even had the nerve to drop your inserts right in front of me. By 2pm yesterday the campus was cluttered with Wildcat inserts, broadcasting all over the university the disrespect of its students. Of course, all of this was done right next to a trash bucket placed there specifically for those papers.

The saddest part is that all of this can be prevented if we all understand that no one should have to be cleaning up after you. Follow the rules you learned in kindergarten: put your trash (including cigarette butts, which are just as much trash as anything else) in trash buckets, put your recyclables in recycling bins, use the same cup all day, don't make anyone clean up your mess. In some cases this takes no effort at all, in other cases the effort is so miniscule that it is negligible. In either case, we all need to take more responsibility for ourselves and for the protection of the land we live on.

Kate Mahady

American literature senior

Government shouldn't attack guns

To the editor,

One of the more offensive aspects of a free society is the ever present and increasing number of diverse forms of hate. These problems are further exacerbated by the ease with which hate augmentation tools are made available to the common member of society. These tools come in the form of 'free' speech, and fire arms ownership. While the farsighted staff of the Wildcat has made some double-plus good attempts to address these issues, the latest editorial from Lora Mackel hinted at a more creative solution to hate augmentation through firearms that warrants praise, and consideration.

Comrade Mackel proposes that the government make constructive use of propaganda to foster hate against the firearms industry. This, she so eloquently writes, will lower the demand for firearms. Thus taking away the economic strong hold the arms industry has over the legislature. This stroke of genius solves many problems in one fell swoop. First off it would place the hated firearms industry at the mercy of our benevolent government. Second it would set in motion the harnessing of public hatred against the enemies of the government. Once one enemy is vanquished, it would then be easy to find another enemy to encourage the public to hate. Not only could this be used to take power away from the common citizen, but it would channel their hatreds in a more enlightend direction. Last but not least, it would be an exercise in government control of content in the mass media.

Surely, by this time, people must understand that if we are going to build a tolerant society free of hate, the enemies of the people must be destroyed. What better means of doing this than to make use of the power of government? While it is encouraging to see a member of the press like Mz Mackel pine for government influence on press content, should it go further? Of course it should. In order to channel public outrage in a constructive direction, a cadre of professionals would be called for. What else could deal with the complex issues involved in generating content that will sway the masses in the needed direction? Who would deal with the logistics involved in making sure all aspects of the media act in concert?

Because the goal of such an agency is, in reality, a society based on friendship and love, I propose the agency be called The Agency of Love.

Nothing encourages me more that our great shining future will be achieved than to read an editorial staff member propose government empowerment. While the two minutes of hate generated against the enemies of the peoples that these essays create can be effective, a more directed synergistic effect is called for that can only be achieved by government control of the mass media. Until that day comes, the likes of Mz Mackel will have to await the guidance only government can give when it comes to dealing with hate, and it tools.

Winston Smith

World history revision senior