Letters

Republican Congress in, gun control out

Editor:

Just when I thought the United States was going to become a
safer place to live with the passing of the Brady Bill and the
Crime Bill, here come the Republicans who are threatening to lift
the assault weapons ban and repeal the newly stated Crime Bill from
President Bill Clinton. It seems that there will be no cooperation
or compromise between Democrats and Republicans.

The United States does not need more weapons of destruction.
With the coming of the new 104th Congress, Newt Gingrich clearly
stated that defense spending will be increased in greater amounts
than in previous years.

More guns and weapons ­ for who? For criminals and enemies
of the United States. No doubt that with the coming of this
Republican Congress, the United States will turn into a gun-crazy
nation.

George Lopez

Freshman

Mechanical Engineering

One step closer to saving the Earth

Editor:

CalPIRG, the student environmental and consumer watchdog group
on campus, would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the
students, staff and faculty of UCLA. With exceeding support from
the campus, CalPIRG met its seemingly overwhelming goal of 4,000
signed pledge cards in its recent pledge drive.

This much-needed funding enables CalPIRG to hire lobbyists,
researchers and issue experts to help pass major laws, take
polluters to court and conduct widespread public education.

Members of CalPIRG would also like to thank UCLA for its support
in previous campaigns this year, such as those benefiting ancient
forests, endangered species, saving the frogs and hunger and
homelessness. This support is only a minor indication of the
tremendous support that the campus has given to CalPIRG throughout
the history of the group.

CalPIRG has now become a more effective voice for students
working to protect the environment. Thanks again, UCLA!

Marianne Adriatico

Senior

Geography/

Environmental Science

Help clean up the wetlands

Editor:

Next Sunday, Dec. 4, there will be a cleanup effort in the
Ballona wetlands near Marina del Rey, done in cooperation with Mary
Thomson from Friends of the Ballona Wetlands. UCLA students, staff
and friends are invited to help remove introduced plants that are
competing with native plants.

The introduced plants do not have any predators and are moving
further into the wetlands. Insects, required by birds for feeding,
and native plants for pollination cannot feed on the introduced
plants.

The cleanup will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We are asking for
your help for at least one hour. Your help is needed and one hour
will be a big help to us. Please call me for further information at
(310) 559-2428. Each person is required to sign a release
statement.

Kurt Meidinger

Senior

Geography