Essentially left out
In reference to "Essential viewing from late director Bergman," Aug. 1: Any list of Bergman films that one "should see" that doesn't mention his best film, "Fanny and Alexander," is an absolute travesty.
Mark Adkins Linguistics senior
Bergman's era
When someone of Bergman's stature dies, it is often said that it is the "end of an era" ("Essential viewing from late director Bergman," Aug. 1). It is not sufficient to say this of the great Swedish filmmaker. When it comes to the artistry of Ingmar Bergman, he was an era unto himself.
Philip Schwartz UT staff
What's the dope?
In reference to "All these scandals have killed the sport," Aug. 1: Colby White seems to fail to recognize the true enemies of cycling. Tour de France tries now to fight the hypocrisy that has reigned over the sport for decades, and which is still embodied by people like you and International Cycling Union deciders.
Many cyclists have been found guilty of doping, a sign that the fight against doping is starting to work. Still, many cycling teams continue to disregard any ethical principle. The Discovery Channel team hired Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador last year when they were both facing doping accusations. Ivan Basso was forced to acknowledge doping, and Contador refused to have his DNA examined.
You think the enemy is the Tour de France and that it has become a joke, but at least try once to watch a stage, and you will see cyclists who suffer, who fight to climb the Alps or the Pyrenees - that is not a joke. The problem is that they don't win because of cheaters.
You are happy for the victories of Contador and Armstrong, who represent dirty cycling and assert that doping scandals kill the sport. So my question is the following: Are you annoyed by doping or by the fact that we now talk about it?
Nicolas P. Roussel Petroleum engineering graduate student
KOOP for all
I am writing in response to "Close encounters of the FCC kind," July 25. Since the inception of its broadcasts in 1994, KOOP radio has aggressively sought to serve and involve all segments of the Austin community both as listeners and volunteer programmers. In this day of "niche broadcasting" by other radio stations, KOOP alone in the Austin market provides multi-ethnic programming. In addition to a full day of Latino programming on Tuesdays, we have had programs produced by and for the African-American, East Indian and Persian segments of the community.
I was chair of the Programming Committee some years ago when it voted to provide Latino programming in proportion to that community's numbers in the overall Austin population. This is an ongoing long-term goal which we strive to meet by training new Latino volunteers each year. We also encourage Latino participation in positions of authority; two of the seven members of the Board of Directors (28.5 percent) are Latinas. FCC requirements force us to take account of U.S. citizenship when electing board members, but other than candidates for board elections, there is no criterion to serve as a programmer or other volunteer, neither of citizenship nor of permanent resident status. I want to stress that all are welcome at KOOP, citizens and noncitizens alike in all other positions and bodies at our station. Two of our three salaried staff members are also Latinos. We especially urge members of underserved minorities to lend their talents and efforts to providing a vital broadcast service to the Austin community.
With our broadcasting license renewed through 2013, KOOP is forging ahead with even greater commitment and vigor in providing a voice for the Latino segment of the Austin community as well as other underserved sectors of Austin's burgeoning population. For more information on KOOP's mission and how to become involved, call us at 472-1369 or visit www.koop.org.
Rodney F. Moag KOOP Board of Directors Associate professor emeritus Department of Asian Studies
Profiting from health care
On his broadside against a previous letter writer and against "socialized medicine," Alan McKendree makes some interesting points that perhaps need further exploration ("Health care is not a right," Aug. 1, Firing Line). One point he seems to make is that socialized medical systems lead to worse health care, including long waits and unclean facilities. I would argue that the quality of health care is not an intrinsic aspect of the method of funding and providing the care, but instead depends on the level of funding and oversight of the system. A socialized system could provide better care, if that is what is demanded.
McKendree also takes exception to the notion that universal health care is a right, and I suppose he is correct; however, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of the press were not rights until a couple hundred years ago when people demanded them. There are still places in the world where these "rights" do not exist. Our rights are not divinely bestowed, but are won through great effort and the need for continual vigilance.
The fundamental issue in health care is not really the quality of the health care that is available; it is the underlying principle upon which it is made available. In our system, health insurance companies are most successful when they can minimize what they pay out. A better system would be one that maximizes the welfare of the people receiving the health care. Socialized medicine - even with its demonstrated faults - at least does not have profits as an underlying motive, whereas our current system does.
Steve Bratteng UT alum
Them's not the breaks
In the Firing Line, "Health care is not a right," Aug. 1, Mr. McKendree states, "If that means that many die while waiting for life-saving treatment, them's the breaks."
This is incorrect. Emergency patients are treated first. If this means rooms are not available for nonemergency surgeries, then those surgeries are pushed back on the calendar.
I cannot speak for the cleanliness of Britain's hospitals, but somehow I suspect this rumor is not backed by solid data, since Britain seems to do well in international studies.
Mr. McKendree is correct that demand for health services will increase with the decrease in out-of-pocket costs. However, it will at least give people who have been putting up with ailments for years a chance to have them fixed. As it stands, their quality of life suffers and there is basically no way to fix it.
Stephen Olander-Waters UT alum
A democracy of sorts
In response to "Their loss is America's win," July 31: Salil Puri didn't mention that, during the Cold War, America supported a number of dictators simply because they professed to be anti-communist. This includes Batista in Cuba and Chaing-Kai Chek in China.
We also removed a number of governments because we didn't like them. In 1953, we removed the government in Iran and re-installed the Shah. In 1963, we supported a coup in Iraq that put a Baathist government into power. One member of that coup was Saddam Hussein. The Reagan administration mined Nicaragua's ports because they voted for Ortega.
While we talk of exporting democracy, our president and vice president openly advocate torture. We had a case of a Syrian-born Canadian citizen who was changing planes in New York. Our government seized him and sent him to Syria, where he was beaten and tortured. It turned out that he wasn't a terrorist. And, by the way, Bush says that Syria is an outlaw nation, but it's good enough for us to send people there to be tortured. We have prisoners at Guantanamo who are suspected terrorists. Most haven't been charged with anything.
Ken Mitchell Online reader
Leaving the homeless a better option
In response to "Residents concerned after homeless man's murder," July 31: If you want homeless people to go away, give them a better option. Kicking them out of the park is like blowing leaves into someone else's yard - its not a real solution.
Michael H. Weatherl Petroleum engineering junior
Police forum not productive
Re: "Residents concerned after homeless man's murder," July 31: As vice president of North University Neighborhood Association, I would like to address the meeting we had last night concerning the murder of a homeless person. First of all, neighborhoods are composed of different kinds of people. The woman who was concerned about "dumpster diving" is only one person with a unique point of view that not I nor anyone I know shares. There is certainly good stuff being thrown away in this area; I am dumpster diver myself from time to time!
I was distressed at the way the meeting was handled by the police. It was obvious that one of the officers knew nothing about the murder but wanted to conduct a forum all his own. This meeting was supposed to be about the murder and the concerns of the residents; I would have much rather heard from the detectives on the case with a skilled moderator. The thing that could have been emphasized more is safety. Is it safe to let people live in our creek beds? Obviously not. Is this what a park is for - for people without homes to live in?
Mary Ingle Online reader Austin, Texas
Less attention for convicts, please
Re: "When the caged bird writes," July 31: George Tehas is allegedly a drug addict who stole from hard-working people to support his drug habits. William "David" Spade was convicted of organized crime, forgery and burglary, escaped from a state hospital and then threatened to kill police officers before his eventual arrest. Clifford Cook was convicted of aggravated assault, burglary and unlawful use of a motor vehicle (i.e. stolen). As the Texan was so kind to point out, Robert Zani is a convicted murderer. Unfortunately, the People's Republic of California does not provide inmate information via the Internet, so I can't tell you much about Vincent Cason.
Here's an idea for The Daily Texan: Instead of asking students to write letters to convicted felons and murderers, how about asking students to write letters to our troops in the Middle East? Why not publish information about the numerous military pen pal organizations or provide information about how to send care packages? Our troops are fighting for freedom and liberty, unlike the individuals listed above who have taken away those rights from others, and are more deserving of our attention and support.
Matt Hammond UT alum
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