Keep the two-step
Regarding Tuesday's "horns down" assessment of the "Texas two-step" primary system ("Horns up, horns down," Aug. 5), if the precinct convention portion of that system brings you to tears, then perhaps voting (and living without medication or outside an assisted-living facility) is not for you. A bit of streamlining may be necessary, but for The Daily Texan to advocate scrapping the system is both short-sighted and reactionary. The two-step system is a boon for down-ballot candidates and party activism as a whole.
I am interested and involved in local campaigns now that "the circus has left town," and the caucus/convention portion of the "Texas two-step" is entirely responsible for introducing me to local candidates and local campaigns. The current system lends itself to a more meaningful and personal involvement in a campaign and in the party, yielding solid, organized and, more importantly, mobilized precincts, not to mention new voters with a taste for activism eager to continue working on behalf of the party and its down-ballot candidates. It is not hard to point out given the Texan's biased coverage during the primary that this paper's editors were members of the Clinton camp. She was a great candidate, and hats off to your involvement. I can empathize with your loss, but I'll take a rejuvenated and motivated Democratic Party over your hurt feelings any day.
Billy D. Stallings Government junior
UT Incorporated
The University's tuition policies are out of control ("In memoriam: our money," Aug. 6). With an endowment of $15.6 billion in assets, increased donations and revenue due to athletics, research and alumni, you would think that the school would consider spending a few bucks on the students themselves rather than build a new hotel or add corporate sponsorship space to the stadium.
This summer I actually had a financial aid officer tell me that the University of Texas, with a record year of fundraising behind it, didn't have any money to help cover my tuition costs. It wasn't that I didn't qualify - UT simply decided not to allocate the funds for summer students. Somehow, it's not comforting to know that students fall to the bottom of the totem pole at their own university.
UT has become not just a factory, but a corporate machine for padding the pockets - and egos - of a select few.
Will Roman Radio-television-film senior
UT Incorporated II
Leah Finnegan's editorial on tuition deregulation was somewhat inconsistent and short-sighted. I fully agree that "schools like UT should be as democratic as possible in accepting students." When students take longer than four years to graduate, they are taking spaces that could be available for more entering freshman. Also, the opportunity cost (earnings after graduation) of the fifth and sixth year of staying in school far outweighs the cost tuition. Everyone benefits from graduating in four years.
Jim Boon Executive director Texas Exes
What's wrong with euphoria?
The Daily Texan and Ashley Crooks should be applauded for reporting on the encouraging news that THC-like compounds aid in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer ("THC-like drug aids prevention of colon cancer," Aug. 6). Unfortunately, this news isn't exactly new, as numerous studies conducted since the 1970s have repeatedly shown that THC and other cannabinoids can prevent and treat cancers.
It's sad that such a promising treatment for cancer has been ignored for decades as the United States pursues its misguided policy of prohibition regarding the cannabis plant. Though Raymond DuBois' comment that THC would unlikely be approved because of its psychotropic effects is even more disheartening. what sort of perverse rational would find it acceptable to deny a person stricken with cancer a potential cure because it might make them feel euphoric?
Brian Parrett UT alum UT staff
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