Letters to the Editor

Don’t sugarcoat the Islam-fascist danger

“Peace” is a word that’s popularly thrown around by American college students, who are all too fortunate to live under a blanket of freedom (a blanket constantly protected by the blood of similar-aged men and women in uniform).

But the great pacifists of history did not fight by holding up politically correct posters or wearing colored T-shirts, doing “inoffensive” things.

They suffered jail time and humiliation. They did not mask facts and injustices in favor of being less blatant or forward in their approach.

I was quite shocked that fellow members of a peace-loving, First Amendment-friendly campus would still find it offensive to accurately describe one of today’s greatest obstacles to world peace.

What is this great obstacle?

It’s Islamo-fascism.

Even I was skeptical of the term at first, but I had a change of heart after doing more research on the topic.

The term “Islamo-fascism” was first coined by a French Marxist activist and author named Maxime Rodinson in order to refer to the movement behind the 1978 Iranian Revolution.

The author called it this in order to name the phenomenon without demeaning the religion of Islam itself.

Islamo-fascism simply refers to the forcible suppression of political, social, economic, military and terrorist movements throughout the world, which are rooted in fundamentalist and radical interpretations of Islamic law.

I am so proud that the Bruin Republicans did not sugarcoat this ever growing phenomenon in favor of another misleading and “less offensive” title.

Doing so would have been a disgrace to the victims of extremist Islam, who have suffered from stoning, genital mutilation, religious persecution, racist genocide, the riots in France, artistic oppression, hostage-taking and execution.

This is not to mention murderous terrorist attacks.

Islamo-fascism is a great and present danger and one that will be with us for many years to come.

As vice chairman of the Bruin Republicans, I thank everyone who supports and helps in the efforts to confront this danger for what it is and not shy away from the truth.

You are all true standard-bearers of peace.

Jennifer Propper

Third-year, history and theater

Vice chairman,

Bruin Republicans

Learn about Islam from Muslims

I want to thank John Marshall for his “”˜Awareness’ masks discrimination” (Viewpoint, Oct. 23) and his reflections on Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week, a week intended to divide people. The article was refreshing to hear.

If this so-called awareness week was intended to expose certain injustices, it would have served the organizers well to get speakers who actually were known for their support of human rights, not their denial of them.

If we as Americans see ourselves leading the way in fostering understanding and cooperation amongst people, we really should be an example of that.

Unfortunately this week’s intention is to do the exact opposite.

Honestly, I’m tired of seeing groups like Bruin Republicans speak for Muslims. Muslims aren’t silent about issues, we speak about them, and when need be, we speak out against them. It would be nice to highlight the great work that Muslims partake in.

If you just look at our campus, the Muslim Student Association has a handful of projects geared to serve disenfranchised communities in Los Angeles.

Their projects range from tutoring students at Watts High School in South Central Los Angeles to providing health care to thousands in Jordan.

It doesn’t take much to see the real picture, and it doesn’t take much to see a skewed picture.

My advice to people is, if you really want to learn about Islam, not only should you talk to Muslims, but go to the core of their beliefs; learn about the Koran and learn about the Prophet Muhammad.

If you have questions, don’t be scared to ask.

Khadeeja Abdullah

Graduate student, public health

Chipotle not healthier than other options

In regards to “Spicing up Village fast food” (News, Oct. 22), I love Chipotle as much as the next guy, and I am glad Westwood is getting more food options.

However, I do feel the need to respond to some of the claims of Chipotle being a healthier option than traditional fast-food places. While there are no trans fats or artificial ingredients, if you quickly google the nutrition facts of Chipotle, one will find that it may not be a really “healthy” option at all.

Using an online nutrition calculator at ChipotleFan.com, a chicken fajita burrito with green tomatillo salsa and a side of chips and guacamole (my usual order) will set you back more than 1300 calories, with almost 40 percent of that coming straight from fat. Those on a low-carb diet will be appalled to find this meal contains 142 grams of carbs. All of this is before adding cheese or sour cream. Lose the tortilla and turn it into a salad, the meal still borders on 1000 calories.

To put all that into perspective, a Double-double with fries and a medium Coke from In-N-Out has roughly the same calories as ““ and actually less fat than ““ the burrito meal.

This is just a warning to prevent people from believing the false hype of “healthier” food options. Be mindful of what you choose to eat. Despite all this, I have no doubt Chipotle will be a popular option. You might actually see me in line when I’m in the area.

Richard H. Hsiao

Class of 2007

Sex is more than “˜just sex’

This is in response to Nicole Forde’s “If done correctly, sex with an ex can be a gratifying experience” (Viewpoint, Oct. 23). Forde’s key idea behind her article was, “It’s just sex.”

In that sentence, she debased one of the greatest things in life and made it something trivial and of little worth. In seeking to turn sex into something enjoyable and harmless, she destroyed its beauty. Instead of sex being an act that expresses our whole love and commitment to another person, it is just an act where we gratify ourselves and use another person.

Though it had lost real value to Nicole, she stated there was still that emotional connection during sex which she sought to avoid, showing that sex is still important to her.

Sex by its nature (in emotions, memory and procreation) points to something lasting. Trying to avoid that permanence which is a natural part of sex, she went against her own humanity. This can never bring true happiness.

Getting into a cycle of using sex ““ or being used in sex ““ hurts us more than we think.

When you find someone truly special for whom you want to give everything up, you will not able to fully love them. You have distanced sex from that lasting, beautiful act of selfless love. Perhaps because of this, you will not even recognize that special person.

I urge you to get out of the cycle of casual, meaningless sex ““ for yourself and for that someone you will wish to love completely.

Joshua Nogales

Fourth-year, computer science

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