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Letters to the Editor

Freedom has been forgotten

To the editor,

According to Mr. Andrew Tubbiolo (letter to the editor, April 5), I am guilty of hate speech.

I hate tyranny. I hate oppression. I deplore the use of force to deprive any individual of their life, liberty or property. It is the foundation of my philosophy that no one has the right to do so, especially the "State".

My hatred stems from a very deep love of freedom. I love the fact that I live in a country where I am free to follow the career path I choose, to read what I choose, to believe what I choose, and to say what I choose.

Unfortunately, freedom is not a popular concept these days, and Mr. Tubbiolo's letter is indicative of this. It is rare for a politician (of either major party) to discuss freedom in any meaningful way. Those that do are generally marginalized as "extremists." Rather, the buzzwords that get people elected are "security," "entitlement" and the ever-nauseating "fair share." Am I the only person that realizes that no one can have a "right" to a good or service, without it being taken by force from another person who produced it? Is this fair?

This country is sick. We penalize achievement and prosperity by progressively taxing income. We destroy successful innovation and enterprise with anti-trust suits. We force those that work to throw their money into an investment scam that returns a fraction of what can be made from the average savings account, let alone higher-yield investments! To make matters worse, we reward laziness and incompetence with the money stolen from achievers at the point of a gun. We are fast approaching a condition in which there will be no incentive for anyone to aspire to any level of achievement. All of this, courtesy of Mr. Tubbiolo's beloved "State."

It is not the role of government to "eradicate hate"; to do so would require the policing of human thought. Mr. Tubbiolo, your totalitarian sentiments would be greatly appreciated in such wonderfully Utopian societies as present-day North Korea, Stalinist Russia, and Nazi Germany. I am sure the people of those countries feel and felt as you do. As for me, I choose to live free in my "hate-filled" existence.

Brian Hawkins

Neuroscience graduate student

Flag more than cloth

To the editor,

I wholeheartedly disagree with Santiago Canez's letter in Tuesday's Wildcat.

The American flag is much more than just a piece of cloth. It is a symbol of freedom which our ancestors fought and died for. We would not be here today if it weren't for the many soldiers who believed in freedom, went to war for it and died in battle. The flag symbolizes the pride of our country. It is the reason Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star Spangled Banner." If you have any pride being an American, you would respect our flag and the history behind it. Burning of the American flag is nothing but disrespect for your country. Freedom of expression is an American right, but flag burning is unnecessary. If you don't like America ... leave.

Mindi Bear

Graphic design senior

No reason for ban

To the editor,

It would seem that ASUA senate has approved the proposed outdoor smoking ban. This is no great surprise given that none of the senators appear to be smokers.

The question of proof still stands though. What evidence is there that my smoking outside of a building is harmful to the health of people inside?

Even if such evidence existed, would not a ban on smoking around main entrances and air intakes suffice?

If there is no medical evidence to support the ban, then why has it been proposed? Probably, one suspects, as a result of a few complaints (if so, how many?) and a person with influence who holds some kind of grudge against smokers.

What this whole issue comes down to is an abuse of science. Smokers realize that their habit will probably kill them and harm anyone who spends long periods of time in a smoke-filled enclosed space with them.

But non-smokers are beginning to believe that even the sight of a cigarette can kill them. This is a hysterical overreaction, there are many other chemicals and forms of radiation that we are exposed to everyday that are carcinogenic. Provided you don't smoke and don't spend all your time in a room with someone who is doing so, then you shouldn't worry about it. Instead, take a look at the foods you eat, the clothes you wear, the vehicles you drive, etc. and let us smokers kill ourselves in peace.

Adam Shaw

Physics graduate student