Letters to the Editor

Daily article failed to mention two student regent candidates

To the Daily:

I was appalled when I read Lisa Hoffman's news article ("Faculty forum sets agenda; plans for regent debates," 9/19/00).

In the article Hoffman states quite confidently that six candidates for the University Board of Regents are expected to attend the debate. The article mentions two Democrats, two Republicans and two Libertarians. Hoffman failed to mention the two student candidates one Nick Waun (Reform Party), the other Scott Trudeau (Green Party). I believe that makes 10 candidates to expect.

Waun plans to attend and sent his acceptance on Sept. 19th. It should be alarming to all fair minded students that a respectful paper like the Daily would report on third party Libertarian candidates but ignore the third party Reform and Green party candidates.

Both the Reform Party and the Green Party are polling well above the Libertarian Party in national polls.

Jamie Brown

Waun campaign secretary

Democracy requires idealistic voters

To the Daily:

In his letter to the Daily "A Vote for Nader is not Pragmatic" (9/18/00) Chris Miller urges students to vote for Al Gore, even if they support Ralph Nader's candidacy for president.

This argument is inherently flawed: A presidential election should be about who you want to be president, not who you don't want. Pragmatism taints free elections - if we select between the two political parties' nominees, we are essentially relinquishing the direction and control of our democracy to two corporately-funded political monoliths.

If you are disillusioned by the two dominate parties and neither candidate looks particularly appealing, do not compromise your standards - instead vote for someone who you believe the superior candidate, no matter how obscure. This is the only way democracy can function.

I challenge every voter uninspired by Bush or Gore to investigate other candidates for president. Just because your candidate probably won't win doesn't mean you shouldn't vote for them.

The Vote Smart Website (www.vote-smart.org) lists over 100 candidates for president: independents, Libertarians, Socialists, and everything in between. Choosing a lesser of two evils is not democracy, voting for someone who you believe in is.

If you choose to compromise your beliefs and support a candidate so another cannot win, so be it; but remember that for democracy to remain vital we must select candidates who reflect our beliefs. Finally, whomever you decide to vote for and for whatever reasons, vote!

Rob Goodspeed

LSA first-year student

Picture of homeless man was 'intrusive'

I am responding to your picture of Jimmy Rogers in the September 15 issue of the Daily titled, "Going to Carolina in my Mind." I would like you to know that David Katz's photo of that poor, old man was unnecessary and intrusive. I happen to know Rogers and I find your depiction of him to be offensive. Before you decide to sensationalize the living circumstances of a person less fortunate than yourself, try to empathize with him, because I am sure you would not like to have your misfortunes emblazoned upon the pages of a newspaper.

Raphael Price

Music senior