LGBT more than "dating service"
To the editor,
In response to Sheila Bapat's article in the Thursday Wildcat: The services that Pride Alliance offers to the campus and Tucson communities go far beyond the "media activisms" covered by the student and local press. Our "true activisms," as they are termed in Bapat's article, include not only our publicly visible affairs such as those held on the Mall each semester, but are primarily focused on the services that we provide to each of our members and the community at large. A glance at our activities for the last year or two reveal that in addition to participation in large-scale sociopolitical events at both local and national levels (such as the Hate Crimes march following Zach's stabbing, the LGBT Youth Rally and March for GLBT Equality in Washington D.C., AIDSWalk, and countless other activities), but we also provide three weekly support and discussion groups, a Speakers Panel available for presentations and discussion facilitation, and information and referral services for students interested in pursuing specific activisms, educating themselves on current issues and support in coming out. I doubt that someone who has visited our office looking for help after being cut off financially after coming out to their parents, seeking information about electoral candidates' positions on equal rights, or wishing to donate their time to a local LGBT organization would think that their participation doesn't contribute to a "united community" just because they don't make the front-page news.
The most unpleasant product of Bapat's article is that with her selective reporting of interviewees' comments, Sheila has introduced the potential for increased tensions and feelings of alienation for not only the students whose quotes were strategically recontextualized in her slanted commentary, but others who, given the impression of our program as an incohesive "dating service," avoid involvement and in turn relinquish the opportunity to benefit from the informational and support services that we provide.
Kira L Mauro
Linguistics graduate student
ASUA Pride Alliance Director
History of lies
To the editor,
I am writing to express my general disgust with the UA administration. The fiasco surrounding Dawg Daze has already been covered well by others, however, I wish to contest the UA's public handling of the situation.
As you may recall, the prices for the new food carts were to be "significantly lower." Which is just as well since I paid $1.50 to Dawg Daze for a hot dog and the UA charges a lower price of $1.85. I appreciate paying less for food. Gone are the cans of soda I once purchased. Now all that is left are 20 oz. bottles which cost more per ounce than the cans did, not to mention that the new carts only offer Pepsi products. Sigh.
I am reminded of the whole Pepsi debate of yesteryear. Where a can of soda (ANY brand of soda) costs only $.50 from a machine, now they cost $.60. Why is that? I seem to remember the UA purporting that the new uni-vendor system would be better for students because prices would be lower. Ha!
So now I come to the point of all this. I am upset that the UA has made these changes, but I accept them for what they are, business deals. I accept that the UA has screwed nice people out of a good contract because the UA is, more and more, a business. But, one thing I will not stand for is being lied to. I shall put this as kindly as I can:
Stop lying to me, damnit!
Is it really that hard? Be it over food prices, soda prices, construction times, whatever. You'd think that with all the money I give the UA, at the very least they could give me a straight answer. "Yes, we've changed vendors and your prices will go up." I won't like it, but at least I'll respect your honesty.
John Gruenenfelder
Research Assistant, Steward Observatory
Astrology not astronomy
To the editor,
Please could you point out to your journalists the difference between astrology and astronomy, as a recent article (page 8, 8/25) suggests that they are somewhat confused.
Astronomy comes from Latin, loosely translated as 'naming of the stars'.
It is concerned with the scientific study of astrophysical objects from star-forming gas clouds, through planets and stars to galaxies and the large scale structure in the Universe.
Astrology comes from the Greek, loosely meaning 'complete and utter bullshit'. It has no merit whatsoever apart from providing some amusing reading in the morning paper and possibly making you feel better about the day.
I hope this letter has clarified the point.
Dr. Matthew Kenworthy
Center for Astronomical Adaptive Optics, Steward Observatory
