Imposter cow put to justice
I cannot tell you how relieved I am to know that the great University of Texas has removed a misleading image from the marketplace ("'Saw 'Em Off' logo retired," Sept. 25). I am sure the thousands of Longhorns out there who'd confuse the "Saw 'Em Off" symbol for actual UT merchandise are also breathing a sigh of relief. Just imagine yourself strolling innocently down the streets of College Station shopping for trademarked UT apparel when, all of a sudden, you run across this misleading image and purchase it, fully believing you are just being a good Longhorn. Then, you wear the shirt you bought in front of your Longhorn friends who laugh at you endlessly. I can't imagine the shame!
Don't worry! UT has spent thousands of taxpayer dollars to make sure you will never again be swindled by those evil people in College Station. I can't wait to see the next big milestone that UT will achieve. Maybe they will sue the crickets to teach them that they need a permit to assemble in mass on campus.
UT should sue every team that beats them in football, such as Kansas State, just to be fair. This will ensure another national championship and employ a lot of worthless lawyers. Just know that the students and faculty at UT actually do real work even though the Regents seem to have nothing better to do with their time. Jeffrey Fogle Civil engineering graduate student Article Reference Link
Show Iranian president respect
When Columbia University invited Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to deliver a speech, I was elated about the possibility of hearing the grievance and explanation of the "other side." However, the event took an ugly turn when Mr. Lee Bollinger, head of 30,000-strong university, labeled the head of a 71 million-strong nation as a "petty and cruel dictator." I respect Mr. Bollinger's freedom of speech rhetoric, but this comment is stupid and irresponsible. Iran does not have a dictator, and Mr. Ahmadinejad is not even at the top of Iran's political hierarchy, a post reserved for the Supreme Leader. Insulting the speaker this way must have shifted the audience's sentiment from hearing the "other side" to hearing a "publicly insulted jerk." The opportunity to know about national issues was lost. What next? Invite another nation head of a country whom the U.S. alleges of being a "bad man," and then punch them to the ground? A golden rule to follow: The other side of the story is equally probable, if you give it a chance. Ashutosh Chakraborty Electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. student
Ill-afforded Iranian ridicule
As an Iranian-American and former UT student who observes Iranian politics with equal parts curiosity and concern, I am at once amazed and astonished by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's most recent display of tactlessness at Columbia University, especially given his often eloquent, if not ebullient, nature. He was unable to posit straight answers to questions like, "Do you seek the destruction of Israel?" and, "Are you supporting terrorism in Iraq?" and he appeared ostensibly opposed to directly answering anything controversial.
While admittedly Ahmadinejad has made some absurd proclamations, making him vilified in the West, we still must wonder whether his uniquely Persian pomp is, in fact, guided by a more veiled and vitriolic internal Iranian policy that requires, if not forces, him to make blanket denials of homosexuality and the holocaust.
Maybe he was caught off guard by Columbia's President Bollinger, or possibly his morning chai didn't sit well, but when the world is told every day that Iran wants to "wipe Israel off the map," and that it supports terrorists in Iraq and beyond, it is de rigueur for a leader in his particular position to make an effort to clear up the confusion rather than sheepishly shy away from it.
Ahmadinejad must address sensitive issues, such as the elimination of Israel and Iran's nuclear aspirations, with fact rather than fatwa. A simple heaping of humility would have helped him dispel any notions of being diabolical, while equally allowing him the ability to explain that his positions have nothing to do with Judaism per se, and that Iran's energy ambitions are indeed benign given the country's domestic economic delinquency.
Iranians are far from stupid, and Ahmadinejad is no exception. With equal access to newspapers, satellite TV and the Internet, they have become a progressive population desirous of the same comforts and freedoms enjoyed elsewhere. But Ahmadinejad's recent denials, his brazenly provocative pronouncements and an absence of political acumen have now made not only him, but Iran and Iranians in general, subjects of ridicule and revulsion. That is a condition we cannot afford. Amir Mirabi UT alum
An Ernst mistake
I noticed in Tuesday's Daily Texan that Zach Ernst's review of the 1963 film "Bye Bye Birdie" had one minor flaw in it: that Ms. Chita Rivera was in the film cast. I believe that Mr. Ernst actually meant to say Janet Leigh (who was in the cast).
Richard Foster General Libraries staff
Check your condom facts
The unconfirmed information presented in "Sex Health Education Lacking in Texas Schools" (Sept. 18) misleads students about UT's sexual health program. The article was based on a survey conducted by Trojan Condoms that ranked UT-Austin a shameful 53 out of 139 universities in the nation for available sexual health resources. What the article fails to point out is that UT's University Health Services purchases the vast majority of the condoms they distribute from Durex, a major competitor of Trojan. The article also lacks a single quote from UT's Sexual Health Program Coordinator, Shannon Rauh, who would tell you that three free condoms with information on proper use are available daily to students at UHS. Additionally, her small army of sexual health peer educators offer free sexual health classes and workshops to students on an almost daily basis. HIV and STI testing are available at a low cost. Students can also direct any health concerns to the 24-hour nurse advice line, a service unheard of at most universities. UT fulfills all of Trojan's 11 survey requirements except for one - a sexual health newspaper column. The purpose of The Daily Texan article may have been to shame students into supporting an increase in funding for sexual health programs. Instead, it insults the hardworking individuals at UHS while leaving the impression that the university does little to support students' needs. Aman Motazedian Philosophy, mathematics senior, and Shalini Maharaj Journalism, pre-medicine senior
A thank you from the Heart
The Heart House of Austin would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Bryan Clegg, a University of Texas government junior and volunteer for the Heart House for over a year and a half. He rallied the Texas Iron Spikes service fraternity, and they came out in full-force to assist us during our Runway To Heaven 2007 Fashion Show which took place at the UT Alumni Center in August. The Runway to Heaven Fashion Show benefited the Heart House, a free afterschool program dedicated to providing a safe haven and academic support to low-income children and encouraging them to become good citizens. Net proceeds from this event allowed us to open a brand new location in South Austin and serve a total of 120 children! Heart House's innovative afterschool program is the only daily program for school-age children in neighborhoods known for their high crime, high unemployment and lack of affordable, quality care for children. At Heart House, children have access to caring adult mentors, homework assistance, art enrichment, computer learning, health and safety education and literacy programs.
The University of Texas Iron Spikes is recognized for its commitment to excellence and leadership, and the Heart House of Austin is very fortunate to have a dedicated volunteer that also serves as their service chair. The Runway To Heaven event could not have had more capable volunteers that assisted with fashion show guests, silent auction sales, VIP services, gift-bag preparation and distribution, as well as general event operations. The Runway To Heaven event would have not been as successful without your support Bryan, as well as the Texas Iron Spikes service fraternity. Bryan, we are very thankful for your ongoing dedication.
We are always searching for new volunteers, and we love University of Texas students! If anyone would like to volunteer their time, please see our Web site at www.hearthouse.org for more information.
Brooke Holland Volunteer coordinator Heart House of Austin
UT cookin' up a tuition hike
In reference to "McDonald's miscalculation," Firing Line, Sept. 26: Quit the bickering over these insignificant numbers - 2.7 percent, 1.8 percent, 7.2 percent. It doesn't matter how much or little funding the University received from the state.
The only number that really matters is 57 percent - the amount that UT-Austin tuition has increased since it was deregulated by the Texas Legislature in 2003. This idea that the University is "starved" for resources is obscene. The University's funding is not coming directly from the state, but instead, directly from middle- and lower-income students.
I don't know about y'all, but I smell a tuition increase baking in the oven. I just hope SG leaders aren't about to help President Powers take it out when it's done. Zack C. Hall Legislative Relations Director Student Government Government and history junior
Be the first to comment on this article!