Letters to the Editor

Moment of silence rewarding

This was written in response to “Statewide silence only hushes the Constitution” (Oct. 12).

I was born Muslim but by no means am I religious. I haven’t fasted at all this Ramadan (or any that I can remember), I eat pork, and I don’t pray. That being said, I am a huge proponent of the moment of silence.

Maybe it’s because I’m from Texas and grew up in a wealthy, conservative neighborhood, but I feel like the moment of silence is a great thing. I’ve always gone to public schools and cannot remember one day where we were not given (at least) a minute of silence.

From the seventh grade onward, I stopped using that minute as a minute of prayer and instead used it for silent reflection. Eyes closed, I would visualize what the coming day held for me.

If it was game day, I would visualize performing well athletically. If it was exam day, I would do a mental review of the material. If it was nothing else, I would close my eyes and relax for a minute.

If you think the moment of silence is offensive and pushes the limits of the Constitution, you are mistaken. I can personally recall many events in my life of school prayer.

Kneeling on the football field in full pads and uniform, a team member would lead the Lord’s Prayer before every game. This was not technically unlawful because it was not instituted by a school faculty member.

But I have also been part of many coach-led Christian prayers (again, this coach was paid with my parents’ tax dollars).

Even though I went to an almost fully white and Christian public school in Texas, this is wrong. I didn’t say anything but I knew it was wrong.

Public school officials should not lead prayer, our dollar bill should not state “In God We Trust,” and the Pledge of Allegiance should not say “Under God,” but the moment of silence is not wrong.

It’s an American tradition that needs to continue.

Asad Ramzanali

First-year, business economics

Democrats in need of change

I am writing in regard to “2008 presidential candidates at a glance” (News, Oct. 15).

As a registered Democrat, it disheartens me that all the Democratic presidential candidates are practically the same and that the party’s platform has not changed over the past five years.

One would think that the party that has lost to the Bush administration twice would realize it needs to change. Yet, it has continued on its path and has not changed to meet the desires of the majority, only satisfying extreme liberals.

Some have said, “Dissent is patriotic.” Following this philosophy, I say, “Dissent is democratic” and until the Democratic party changes, I will vote Republican.

Joshua Nogales

Fourth-year, computer science

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