Letters

Friday, November 1, 1996Bruin too liberal in event coverage

I find the Daily Bruin News Department exhibits extreme
left-wing bias in its selective reporting of Proposition 209
debates. On the front page of the Oct. 31 Bruin, a story about a
Proposition 209 debate was featured.

This particular debate was poorly attended and featured
little-known panelists who gave weak, platitudinal arguments for
both sides; however, one week ago, the Bruin Republicans sponsored
a debate which featured Dinesh D’Souza, a nationally recognized
leader against racial preferences and set asides. He is the author
of two books, "Illiberal Education" and "The End of Racism." His
debate partner was UCLA Law professor Jerry Kang. Kang skillfully
argued against Proposition 209 without resorting to hollow
political double talk. The debate was balanced, and informative,
AND it attracted an audience which filled Dickson 2160E to standing
room only. The Daily Bruin has exposed its liberal slant (again) by
failing to cover a worthy news event because of its sponsorship by
the conservative Bruin Republicans and Dinesh D’Souza. Cover both
sides, Daily Bruin!

Mike MacNeil

Third year

Political Science/History

Restaurant review wrong; food good

I am remiss at not writing sooner to comment on the review of
BJ’s Restaurant in Westwood that appeared in the Daily Bruin on
Oct. 7, authored by Vanessa VanderZanden. To state that I was a bit
shocked at her narrative would be an understatement.

The Athletic Department "scouts" Westwood restaurants each year
to determine suitability for our student-athlete recruiting. On
three separate occasions last spring, different athletic department
personnel sampled the food and service at BJ’s and returned with an
exemplary review. Indeed, we now consider BJ’s a top choice of
selected team, recruiting and business-related meals.

I won’t go into detail as to what menu items are my personal
favorites, but I highly recommend you give BJ’s a second look and
review.

Glenn L. Toth

Associate Athletic Director

Proposition 215 deserves attention

Kudos to Garry Trudeau and his comic strip Doonesbury for
drawing attention to the medicinal marijuana issue (Sept. 30-Oct.
5). It’s remarkable that it takes a cartoon to give people the real
story behind what’s going on in this country.

In just a few panels, the strip very clearly made the following
three points: (1) marijuana is a useful medicine for cancer, AIDS
and other ailments; (2) patients are being arrested for using it
­ even those with a doctor’s written recommendation; and (3)
California voters can protect these patients from prosecution by
passing the medicinal marijuana voter referendum, Proposition 215,
on Nov. 5.

Medical access to marijuana is widely supported by doctors,
patients and the vast majority of voters. Yet law-enforcement
officials, from California Attorney General Dan Lungren to
President Clinton’s Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey, are actively
campaigning against the California initiative.

Is their "drug war" so sacred that patients must be sacrificed?
Their heartless response is finally exposing their true colors to
the American people.

Glenn Lingle

Santa Monica