Wednesday, November 19, 1997
CRACK intentions not all that bad
I disagree with your Nov. 17 editorial ("While admirable, CRACK
takes wrong tack") regarding paying crack-addicted women $200 to
have a tubal ligation. The cost of putting a crack addict into
rehab is expensive, and the recidivism rate makes it even tougher
to stop crack addiction. The money only attacks the symptom, but at
least it is an effective attack. Yes, the women will probably spend
the $200 on drugs, and the $2 you gave to the guy on the street
corner with the sign "Will work for food" will probably go to buy
Old English 800. But at least that is one less person who will
irresponsibly get pregnant and burden society with a crack baby
that will likely grow up without caring parents.
John Poprac
UCLA alumnus
Personal attacks
aren’t necessary
General Rep. Joe Medico’s article sheds some light on the
positives of the Undergraduate Students Association Council.
However, I feel that the attacks towards Stefanie Wong, the USAC
writer, serve no purpose other than to make a personal attack. Wong
has covered USAC for over a year. And having been involved with
student government from the inside and from the outside looking in,
she has definitely remained neutral in her coverage and in her
efforts to display the truth.
Medico questions why Wong couldn’t wait another day to reach
him. Unfortunately, a newspaper with deadlines cannot wait on
individuals to make themselves available. How many times have
Viewpoint contributors wished the deadline was later than 1 p.m.?
You have to work with their deadline, not the other way around.
The whole affair with Mike Hamilton is debatable, but Wong did
not ask Kendra Fox-Davis to write a response dismissing the attacks
as racist. Why must every negative portrayal of student government
be interpreted as a vengeful act?
No one denies the fact that the council members work hard. With
projects such as Speak Up! from Internal Vice President Carol Lee’s
office, there are positives in student government. But one thing
remains clear. Rather than return criticism with personal attacks,
rise above that. The best way to silence the critics is to invite
them in and understand their concerns. If student government
adamantly seeks to silence all who dare speak to them, then we the
students will forever be confused as to who is right.
Telly Tse
Third-year
History