Letters to the Editor

CNN not the only biased network

I don’t like to waste my time addressing anti-war rhetoric
cloaked in a guise of professional scrutiny and I am certainly not
CNN’s biggest fan. But I have two questions for Ehsan Zaffar
in regards to his submission “Americans misled by dramatized,
unprofessional news broadcasts” (April 1). 

First, has he heard that BBC correspondent Paul Adams has issued
a public complaint about his own “College Library”
quality network distorting reports about the war? Also, if the
5 billion people who don’t watch CNN jumped off a bridge
because the BBC said so, would he follow? He seems to think that
large quantities of people are graced with special enlightenment,
while history tends to show the opposite.Adam Pearlman USAC
Facilities Commissioner

Liu’s cartoon misconstrues facts

Leave it to Jason Liu to once again play the part of the buffoon
in his editorial cartoon, “The Real Shock and Awe”
(April 1, Viewpoint). What Liu fails to show is that it is not the
Iraqi army challenging U.S. forces, but Fedayeen thugs, who are
nothing more than criminals hiding in civilian clothes and killing
their own people. The Fedayeen’s stand to lose everything if
anyone other than Saddam Hussein is in power. No wonder local
residents in many places have helped U.S. troops by identifying the
Baath party quarters in which these Fadayeen thugs reside.

Although not everything has gone according to plan, in less than
two weeks the United States has sent divisions within 50 miles of
Baghdad, bombed the elite Medina division, seized airfields, and
inflicted heavy casualties at Najaf and Nasiriyah. The bombing
campaign has reduced the strength of Iraq’s heavily touted
Republican Guard divisions. And because of the United States’
success amid bombing of vital communication centers, the Iraqi army
is beginning to look like a chicken with its head cut off.

Regardless of whether one is for or against the war, what Allied
forces have achieved (with soldiers who oftentimes sleep three
hours and eat one meal a day) has been nothing short of an
audacious and successful enterprise. And if anyone thinks that the
battle of Baghdad will turn into another Stalingrad, keep in mind
that General Franks is no Von Paulus. Liu should stop his
shenanigans and draw cartoons that reflect facts, not
fiction.Paul Marian First-year, history & political
science

Howland a dubious selection

Question: How can you tell if Coach Ben Howland is lying?
Answer: Only if his lips are moving!

As a University of Pittsburgh alum, I am certain that the Bruin
hoop faithful are celebrating their successful coup in obtaining
the services of one of the best basketball coaches in America. Just
be forewarned that all you are going to hear about “coming
home” and ” being close to family and friends”
and “my dream job” from him will last only until a
bigger money offer from the NBA comes along.

We Pittsburgh fans believed him when he spoke of
“commitment,” “building something special
here” and last week’s oft-repeated mantra,” I
have a 7-year contract and I intend to fulfill it.”

Remember, just because the great John Wooden coached at your
school eons ago does not make you immune to this sort of
dishonesty. Enjoy it while it lasts!Rob Domenick 1982
University of Pittsburgh alumnus