Letters to the Editor

Cameras shouldn't have prevented honoring of dead

To the Daily:

As I'm sure everyone has heard by now, 17 Americans were killed and over 50 injured in an attack on the USS Cole off the cost of Yemen. By Presidential order, all flags were to be flown at half staff this past weekend in honor of these sailors. However if you were at the Indiana game this past weekend, you would have seen the flag flying at full staff during the game. Why? Because flying it at half-staff would have interfered with with ABC's cameras. As a future officer in the U.S. military, it disheartens me to know that honoring the brave men and women who have given their lives for their nation is not as important as ABC's camera angle at the Saturday afternoon football game.

Kelly Thompson

Engineering senior

ZBT president was wrong about importance of vote

To the Daily:

Not to claim that I have any connection to the IFC or their decision to expel the campus chapter of Zeta Beta Tau, but I was quite surprised by ZBT president Israel Nosnik's statement saying that 'this single event is more damaging to the Greek system than one kid getting bleach poured on him or a kid getting shot in the penis' ("IFC votes ZBT out of organization," 10/19/00). Are you serious? I would have never thought that someone (a male for that matter) would say that anything is more important that someone getting shot in the penis.

I remember reading about this horrific act last year and thinking that this had to be some kind of male hate group to even aim a b.b. gun (or whatever) at someone's groin and then to actually pull the trigger.

What kind of demonic mess is that?

I'm sorry, but I doubt seriously that any of the brothers of ZBT will be suffering an unimaginable amount of pain by not being able participate in a Greek life party. Perhaps if they were the ones that got shot they would sing a different (much higher) tune.

Jason Morris

Engineering senior

Texas justice system is disaster area

To the Daily:

Kudos to the Daily editorial staff for their more than fair assessment of the Texas criminal justice system under the Bush administration ("Oops, he did it again," 10/19/00). However, I find it disturbing that we do not see this skepticism at a national level.

How is it that a presidential candidate can claim an emphatic "affirmative" when asked whether all persons put to death under his watch were both guilty and provided with adequate legal counsel and not be scrutinized by the national media?

Not only do I have a hard time believing that, based on pure numbers, anyone could be absolutely positive of his claims, I also believe that the multitude of horror stories I've read detailing public defenders' lazy, racist and sometimes drunken demeanors towards their usually, poor, minority clients in Texas contradict Bush's claim.Why is it that the powers that be do not question Bush's integrity on this matter?

Dylan Leopold

Alumnus

Org. Studies will 'never' go away

To the Daily:

I would like to take a moment to respond to Brock VandenBerg and his letter from October 19th "Canning Org. Studies was right choice; fluff majors abound." In his letter he admits "most people don't even know what is involved in the Organizational Studies program." He then goes on to make many assumptions about Organizational Studies (OS).

My question is, why would one make such a harsh judgment about something that they admittedly know little about? I feel VandenBerg has missed one of the greatest lessons of a university education, seeking the truth. One does not seek truth by gathering a small amount of information before jumping to a conclusion.

VandenBerg suggests that this is a university and not a day-care center. He also says "a University is a place where you learn about important subjects such as math, history, English, science and art." The fact is that the current OS curriculum does include upper level courses in math, history, science, and art. Furthermore, OS is interdisciplinary and by nature offers more curricular latitude than a traditional concentration. Therefore, students must exhibit initiative when planning their course of study. This added ingenuity encourages an OS student to be sophisticated and responsible about their education.

Organizational Studies is interdisciplinary, that is what the students in the program treasure. Just switching to a business, economics, or IOE degree defeats that purpose. VandenBerg implies that OS students feel "every other degree is narrow and non-inclusive." Yes, when compared to OS, they can be. Other degrees are usually focused in one area, whereas OS looks at the bigger picture.

There is unbelievable support for OS on this campus, from faculty, staff and especially students. The dean herself has said that she supports a concentration in OS that is supported by faculty oversight (which admittedly we currently lack). There will be a proposal for a new OS program on the table by the end of the month. There is every indication that this proposal will be approved and that the new program will be under way in the fall of 2001. The dean said her decision to cut the current OS program was made to make room for a new OS program. While I do not agree with the manner in which the transition is being executed, one thing still stands; Organizational Studies will not be going away. OS supporters will never let that happen.

Jay Salliotte

Executive council member, organizational studies student assembly

Gore is no Nader, but no Bush either

To the Daily:

I am writing to express my support for Vice President Al Gore, and to encourage independent voters and supporters of Ralph Nader to join me in protecting America's future.

Voting one's conscience or heart is a noble activity and Ralph Nader's plans for America are steps in the right direction. However, in Gov. George W. Bush, we can see a darkness on the horizon for America. A Bush Presidency will mean a return to the days of broadening economic and educational gaps, a return to the days of ballooning deficits, a return to the days of backroom abortions.

Gore is no Nader, but Gore's primary opponent is even less so. Bush must not be entrusted with the office of President of the United States - please join me in looking beyond idealism, and vote for Al Gore on November 7th.

Patrick Koehn

Engineering doctoral candidate