Letters to the Editor

Bruin Republicans need to update stances

Forget the National Guard. With the Bruin Republicans looking
out for our territorial integrity in case of some ex-post-facto
Aztec insurgency, we don’t need to worry at night. If
we’re worried about right-wing campus clubs attacking free
speech on campus, however, then there might be cause for
concern.

I imagine with the job loss rate and the national debt rising
faster than University of California fees, the Bruin Republicans
are feeling the heat to find a cause. So, they turn to this,
antagonizing MEChA because one founding document advocates the
political independence of former Southwestern Native American lands
(which include California). Now, I like the status quo of North
American political maps as much as the next person, but it strikes
me that an insurgency is probably at least a little shy of
“imminent.” A Sugar Bowl appearance by Bruin football
would be more likely.

Unfortunately for the Bruin Republicans, their Daily Bruin
submission reminds us that UCLA MEChA no longer subscribes to these
beliefs, as the group articulated during the recent gubernatorial
election.

If anyone knows an organization can change, it ought to be the
Republicans. A quick tour of the official GOP Web site informs the
reader that, early on, Republicans championed civil rights. The
first environmental legislation even was passed by a Republican.
This should be a lesson to us all that organizations can and do
evolve, and may end up completely changing their original
stances.

Scott Nenni Third-year, political science

Gymnasts deserve The Bruin’s respect

I read the column by Gilbert Quiñonez regarding the
gymnastics meet this past weekend, “Some pick gymnastics as
super, not football,” (Feb. 2). I have never been so
disgusted by the reporting of a sports editor in my life. I cannot
believe anyone could be so rude to a group of girls who work
extremely hard ““ and have for most of their lives ““
through many injuries and surgeries. They are extremely
dedicated to their sport.

I, too, am a football fan. However, since my granddaughter
was competing Sunday, I chose the gymnastics meet (over the Super
Bowl), for which I had to drive approximately l,000 miles
round-trip. I know there were others who did likewise. If we
were so inclined, we could have taped the Super Bowl, as could have
anyone else with a VCR. As for the big game parties, they are just
an excuse to drink and get rowdy, which we can all do without.

I believe Quiñonez owes the people involved with gymnastics
a huge apology: the competitors, the coaches, the people working at
the meet and the fans. Football is not the whole world, nor is the
Super Bowl. 

Shirley Gallagher

Editorial Board correct on student
discourse

I applaud your editorial calling for a respectful and
constructive campus discourse on the Middle East conflict. The
political leadership of the Middle East and the world community at
large has repeatedly failed to deliver a sustainable peace to the
embittered people of the region. Therefore, it is incumbent on
those outside the political establishment, especially those deeply
troubled with the unnecessary suffering that has become synonymous
with this conflict, to take the initiative and engage in a
constructive, serious and forward-looking dialogue.

An academic community like ours ““ passionate, diverse,
intellectually driven and open-minded ““ lends itself
perfectly to this undertaking. Instead of replicating a
conflict perpetuated by others, let us generate alternatives that
can be replicated by others.

Basim Khan First-year medical student