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| War will not protect our freedom |
Adam Lee Milt
Senior
paradoxindabox@hotmail.com
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To
The Editor:
This is in response to Stephanie Marshall’s
column “America tries to keep us safe, war necessary,”
March 20. Our pre-emptive defense is not a necessary or just form
of warfare. That is partially why I have been protesting our military
actions in the Middle East for the past year and a half. I don’t
like Saddam Hussein or think that we should have put him in power
after training him in the CIA like we have so many other dictators
on the planet. This war will not protect our freedom. Anyone who
watched President Bush’s 48-hour declaration will remember
how our national terrorist alert system elevated one level to orange
directly after his ultimatum. This war “is [not] a part of
America’s new policy dealing with … terrorism” because
there is no tie between Al Qaeda and Iraq. These attacks on the
Middle East quite possibly will push them together to form a really
horrible terrorist threat. As for Melissa Nolte’s comment (Letter:
“President Bush needs support,” March 20), this war is
illegal under United States and international law, which makes President
Bush and his allies war criminals. We should prosecute them as such.
Stephanie please do not “go back to living as we did before
9-11.” Sometimes ignorance is bliss, but now that we have been
awakened to terrorism we Americans must inform ourselves about the
constant terrorism the U.S. has subjected the rest of the world
to in the past so that we can stop this cycle of violence that President
Bush is continuing in Iraq and begin resolving conflicts peacefully
within the United Nations as our SGA has supported.
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| Ignorance must stop, support Bush |
Josh Barry
Senior
PB36379 |
To
The Editor:
There is a common theme rampant on our campus
as well as in the American society that I feel needs to change.
This being the protest of the war in Iraq that I have found closely
related to ignorance towards the situation at hand. The war is underway
and you’re going to achieve nothing by standing on a corner
with a ratty sign that is a public show of your ignorance toward
the subject.
A perfect example being a sign stating “How many deaths per
gallon,” displayed on the corner of highways 105 and 321 Monday
afternoon. If you don’t agree with the war it’s fine to
protest. It is a constitutional right of ours. However, if you’re
going to protest, the least you could do is know what you’re
talking about. This war is about disarming Iraq of weapons of mass
destruction and overthrowing Saddam Hussein’s regime, which
has, for years, treated its people in an inhumane and unjust manner,
not oil.
The least we can do as American citizens is support our president,
who we elected, and support the troops who are risking their lives
to protect the freedoms, principles and safety of the American people.
If you’re opposed to the war, that’s fine, but if you’re
an American citizen and you’re not supporting our leaders and
the men and women who are engaged in battle, as far as I’m
concerned you should leave the states and find a better place to
live.
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| No comparison between leaders |
Jonathan Ogilvie
Junior
JO51340 |
To
The Editor:
In the March 25 edition there was a letter comparing
Bush to Castro and Kim. I believe the author’s statement was
that Bush has a “careless disregard for the opinions and well-being
of its citizens.” I see no proof of this. What I see is a country
where support of our action in Iraq has rose to 76 percent. Seventy
six percent is a pretty considerable majority of American opinion.
As for our well being, our President has chosen his manner in which
to protect our well being. He is removing a violent and threatening
dictator, who is a proven threat to the lives of Iraqis, Jews, and
Americans alike. We have already uncovered terrorist camps in Iraq,
we’ve found financial ties to terrorist groups, and we will
no doubt uncover the alleged weapons of mass destruction. If you
take the time out to speak with Iraqi immigrants, you will hear
the horror stories for yourselves. Saddam’s regime commits
crimes against his people the likes of which you will never see
in the U.S.
You have the right to voice your dislike for our president. But
to compare him to people who commit rape, murder, genocide, and
who condone torture and brutality is just ethically wrong. We will
never have to worry about President Bush raping our women, killing
our children or torturing our men. There is no comparison.
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| SGA losing touch with their true
job |
Steven Howell
Sophomore
SH48332 |
To
The Editor:
I am writing to express concerns within the Student
Government Association. It disheartened me to see that in last weeks
The Appalachian update on the Student Government, that the Senate
had passed a bill condemning the war in Iraq.
I as a student here in Appalachian fail to see where a bill opposing
the war in Iraq has anything to do with our University. Why does
the student government waste their time on worthless bills that
have no effect or meaning whatsoever?
Has the Student Government forgotten that they were elected to represent
the students and not the United States. Leave Bills opposing the
government up to the United States Congress, the ones that the whole
public elects. I also wish to bring this item to the attention of
the two groups of candidates running for SGA office this spring.
Last spring there were many promises that candidates made that were
never kept. Some of which were the Russo Bayard promise of cleaning
up the campus, once they lost the election their signs still littered
the campus for up to a month later. I hope that the candidates this
year will learn from past failures, as it seems SGA is beginning
to lose touch with their true job, representing the students. I
look forward to seeing hopefully a renewed effort in representing
student concerns and addressing student needs in the following year
to come.
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| SGA invites students to attend meetings |
Katie Bess
Freshman
SGA Senator |
To
The Editor:
I was thoroughly disappointed and disheartened
by the lack of attendance at the Presidential Debate this Tuesday.
In my eyes it only showed apathy as well as the lack of support
for Student Government.
I would like to clear up a few misconceptions about SGA. First and
foremost, I will admit that some senators do not do their jobs.
However, some senators go above and beyond the call of duty, continuously
pumping out legislation, attending all senate, constituency and
committee meetings, working tirelessly in the SGA office, sometimes
enough hours to meet the minimum requirement for cabinet members,
not to mention attending other SGA functions, events and service
projects. I assure you some senators do their jobs and do them very
well.
If you think SGA is ineffective then there is nothing to stop you
from coming to a meeting or reading the minutes on the web. After
all, according to Article 1 Section 2 of the Constitution of the
Student Government Association “Every undergraduate student
registered at Appalachian State University shall be a member of
this organization.”
Therefore, the problem not only lies within the chamber, but within
the student body as a whole. The Senators are not the only ones
slacking off.
Come to debates and meetings. Get informed and involved through
voting!
Check out the candidates’ Web sites and platforms and make
an informed decision.
You are a member of the SGA so act like one and if you don’t
vote then don’t complain.
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