Letters to the Editor

S.U.R.E not behind Jones
On Thursday, a controversy swirled involving certain students who
registered the name Student Empowerment! as an official student
group with the Center for Student Programming. These students,
in particular Bruin Republicans Chair Andrew Jones, have a known
history of antagonism toward the Student Empowerment! political
slate on campus.

Let me state unequivocally, as a member of the S.U.R.E. slate,
that I did not have any connection to these students’ actions
whatsoever, nor did any of my fellow slate members. I find
this kind of action offensive, as it only causes more divisiveness
on campus.

While these events do highlight flaws in the system of
registration for groups used by the Center for Student Programming,
and from that we can enact positive change, I nevertheless must
condemn this act. These students stepped way beyond the
boundaries of acceptable discourse. Strong differences may
exist at UCLA, and regarding USAC in particular, but I’m sure
we can all agree such actions as these cannot be tolerated.

David Dahle USAC President

I’ll take Levy over Hefner

I found it ironic that the Daily Bruin published Adir
Levy’s article “All sex, no love make Jack awfully
desensitized” on the same day they published the interview
with Hugh Hefner.

For me, a fellow member of the Virgins-Anonymous Club, I find it
quite sickening that one would idolize a man who has marketed sex.
I wanted to thank Adir for being so brave in a world that has
almost completely removed the meaning and value from only sharing
the intimate sexual relationship with someone you love.

Michelle Yadegari Microbiology immunology and molecular
genetics

Republicans need a realization

It is supposedly a well known fact that Democrats like to use
the “race card” to get their way. However, Sears’
article (“Lott reveals GOP, South’s “˜dirty little
secret’,” Jan. 14) suggests that Republicans are
shuffling some cards of their own.

Like it or not, many Republican candidates get their support
from people with racially conservative ideologies and leanings.
Politicians, such as Trent Lott and even President George W. Bush
(according to the article), play upon these issues, divisions, and
racially rooted fears, knowing that they can pick up some (white)
votes.

But voters, including those of the majority group, need to
realize that when minorities gain, the majority does not lose.

If the Republican electorate and politicians realize that racial
prejudice turned into political power is detrimental to both the
dominant and minority groups, then the Republican party can easily
pick up many votes.

Being neither a Democrat nor a Republican, I’m mainly
hoping for a “paradigm shift” in seeing racial/ethnic
groups viewing themselves in cooperation, not competition, with
each other; that would be a refreshing and exciting change that
could benefit us all.

Clara Yoon First-year, undeclared