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Letters to the Editor

Laptop proposal unnecessary

To the editor,

I feel compelled to comment on Moniqua Lane's recent article. In the article she praises universities that require students to purchase laptop computers (at a cost of 3000 dollars according to her figures) and suggests that the University of Arizona should implement a similar program. First it should be noted that 3000 dollars is a large amount of money to force students to pay. For perspective, most students pay 3000 for their entire rent during the 8 months they spend at school. Students who work as well as go to school will be heavily burdened. This requirement should instead be stated as, "non-rich students will be forced to purchase a laptop," since students from affluent families most likely already have laptops. This program would discriminate against people who aren't poor enough to receive financial aid and those who aren't rich enough to plunk out another 3000 dollars.

So why propose such an expensive program? The answer is that Moniqua incorrectly believes that students will see a huge impact in the quality of their education. In order to constructively look at the advantages, we must compare laptop in the classroom as opposed to using a desk computer at home or in a computer lab. Students using desk computers outside of class can still be computer literate, contrary to what is implied in Moniqua's article, they can still e-mail classmates or professors about assignments, and they can still access vast amounts of information (either from the web or a course CD). All these goals can be met by using a desktop computer.

Is it really necessary to e-mail friends (from your laptop computer) about assignments when they are sitting next to you in class?

Also, many of the graphics and class information can be shown by the professor through overheads or handouts. If the class needs to see a computer animation, it can be shown on a computer projector in front of the class instead of showing it on 30 individual laptop screens. So before we blindly follow other schools in forcing students to buy laptops, let's ask if it is worth the money. I propose instead we increase the number of computers in our labs, which would be fair to the poor and rich alike and because desk computers are half the price of laptops, we would be able to stretch our money further.

Creighton Anderson

Material science and engineering senior

Kolbe should support military

To the editor,

In the March 27th Wildcat there was a commentary condemning both Congressman Kolbe and his support for the military. The article alleged a series of falsehoods. First it argued that it was mean-spirited Republicans who formulated the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy followed by the Military. This is simply incorrect.

This policy is one of compromise between the President and the GOP. In fact the President has claimed on many occasions that "his" policy regarding gays in the military has been a success, when in fact the policy has been a total failure.

Secondly, the article lambasted the military for its "discriminatory" policy. Frankly the military is not a social testing ground for American society. The military serves one purpose: To defend our nation from those that would do us harm. Many military policies have been called into question in the 1990s. The only policy that should matter is whether the military is capable of defending our nation. I reiterate that the military should not be a playground for policy makers and the president. Instead they should start investigating why our soldiers are on food stamps, not asking what our soldiers do with their private time.

Lastly, the article attacks our Congressman Jim Kolbe and accuses him of being hypocritical in his support for the military while he is gay. The two have nothing to do with one another. Asking Kolbe to support new gay legislation vis-a-vis the military because he is gay is like assuming a person born to poverty should support land redistribution regardless of their personal views. Kolbe has put aside his private conduct and lifestyle in order to do what is best for the country, which is encouraging young men and woman to be proud to join the armed forces. Keep up the good work, Congressman.

Seth Frantzman

President College Republicans

History/political science junior