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| Respect America's values and freedoms |
To the Editor:
It’s with a severe amount of annoyance that I continue to
see flyers put up to inform people on the situation in Iraq outside
what the corporate news machine reports being torn down within a
scant few hours of being posted. But given that the trend has continued
for the last two semesters, not to mention any time students for
peace and justice tried to advertise an event it’s not all
that surprising anymore either.
Flyers for clubs, partyapp, and local music are a-ok to put up anywhere,
but the second anyone voices a dissenting opinion about Bush or
Iraq? It’s got to be torn down before anyone has a chance
to GASP! maybe have an independent thought for themselves about
our current policies, or just defaced like the old anybody but Bush’s
on the tunnel that have been replaced with Dean’s name for
awhile now.
If I saw a pro-Bush flyer would I tear it down? No. And why?
Because unlike some people on this campus it seems I actually have
respect for freedom of speech, after all it’s what we’re
fighting for in this brave new world right? So to those that continue
to tear said flyers down I can’t help but ask, why do you
hate America by attacking and squashing it’s values and my
freedom to speak out here, but yet seem all for giving it to the
people of Iraq?
Looks rather hypocritical if you ask me.
Jesse Steele
Sophomore
ASU Box 11529
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| Sex decision column needs clarification |
To the Editor:
I read your column on Making Sexual Decisions with interest. (I
worked for 5 years in the library of the Carolina Population Center
at UNC.) The statistics on contraceptive effectiveness you cited
struck me as a bit low so I did some checking. NOW’s figures
are based on “typical use.” The figures for “perfect
use” are a lot more reassuring -- a .1% failure rate for the
pill (that actually struck me as too good!) and 3% for condoms,
according to the health center at Va. Tech. So whatever your contractive
method of choice, use it consistently and correctly and strive to
be as close to “perfect use” as possible. You say that
“the myth of ‘safe sex’ is an insult to our intelligence
and a health threat.” UNsafe sex is no myth and is definitely
a greater health threat. I would agree that there is no perfect
“safe sex.” There is unsafe sex and there is a-whole-lot-safer
sex. By the way, the bumpersticker on my car reads “vows
of abstinence break sooner than condoms.”
Martha Cutler
Belk Library
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| Rasimas alienates with hate columns |
To the Editor:
With her recent article about responsibilities of pet owners, staff
writer Leslie Rasimas has once again pigeonholed and stereotyped
a specific population of Appalachian students. I find her arguments
offensive, close-minded and under researched. According to the Town
Hall of Boone, N.C., there are no leash laws as to which citizens
must adhere.
Therefore, her comment “Hippies eager to let their dirty,
flea-infested dogs run around campus, and losers who can’t
afford leashes or decency do not deserve to own pets,” holds
little value, and certainly holds no legal validation. Placing blame
on so-called “hippies and losers” also discounts the
fact that many well-dressed citizens enjoy walking their pets on
campus each day.
It seems as if Ms. Rasimas strives to attain personal validation,
in her constant criticism of others, and quite frankly, I could
deal without her opinions. I was first offended by her submission
regarding the style preferences of “Greek Goddesses”
on campus, and now it seems as if she is striving once again to
divide the students of Appalachian.
Instead of focusing on the people who treat animals inhumanely,
she could instead focus her deliberation on students who care about
animals, and spend their time volunteering for the Humane Society,
as I know many of my sorority sisters and other fellow students
have. I hope that as a staff, you will in the future strive to focus
on the positive aspects of cultural diversity that surround and
envelop our enlightened campus.
Courtney M. Housand
Vice president, Phi Mu
ASU Box 10393
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| Animal treatment column worthwhile |
To the Editor:
This was a WONDERFUL opinion piece!
I would just like to thank Leslie Rasimas for addressing the responsible
pet ownership issues in her February 17 column.
In 1999 I was a senior at ASU, and I started the club Leslie mentioned,
Watauga Animal Guardian Society (WAGS), precisely because of the
issues she described. Now I’m working at the Watauga Humane
Society and serve as an informal advisor to the club. The current
vice president of WAGS brought this column to my attention, and
I have linked it in to the Watauga Humane Society’s home page.
Hopefully other members of the community will get the message as
well!
Animal issues are often ignored in campus publications, and I am
thrilled that The Appalachian ran this piece.
Leslie, I hope you will consider joining WAGS (if you aren’t
a member already). You’d be a wonderful addition to the club!
Thanks so much!
Elizabeth Bookout
Assistant Manager,
Watauga Humane Society
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| Disabilities story chunk of iceberg |
To the Editor:
I appreciate that this newspaper chose to write about the few handicapped
students at ASU. I personally have not met any of these students,
but I strongly admire them for choosing Appalachian, not only because
of the intolerable winters but becasue Appalachian doesn’t
do enough to accomodate their needs. Walker Hall just recently installed
an automatic door, the second I’ve seen besides the one at
Plemmons. It’s frustrating to hear people, myself included,
complain about construction when even more can be done to help those
who can’t fully help themselves.
Amy Ross
senior
public relations major
ASU Box 13335
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