Tuesday, May 28, 1996
Honor veterans
Editor:
Thank you so much for your extensive coverage for the Memorial
Day holiday. As a ‘Nam vet, I am aghast  all week you failed
to print one article relating to the sacrifice that generations of
U.S. citizens have made for our country.
At this moment, thousands of Americans are serving their country
in "hot spots" around the world. Some of these Americans will not
make it home. The absolute least that they deserve is ample
recognition on Memorial Day.
As I write this missive, I am reminded of the stonewalling that
the U.S. government is currently doing regarding the "gulf-war
syndrome" chemical illnesses suffered by our troops after the Gulf
War to secure cheap oil for America.
The same stonewalling occurred after the Vietnam War with the
infamous Agent Orange. This is the way we treat those of us who
answer our country’s call to arms.
To add insult to injury, "Slick Willie" Clinton is trying to use
the 1940 Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act to be freed
temporarily from responding to Paula Jones’ civil suit charging him
with sexual harassment. Message to "Slick": No way, Jose. You made
that decision when you evaded the draft during the Vietnam War. Do
not defile those of us who served.
In closing, I ask this question: How many of those groovin’ at
the Jazz/Reggae Festival this weekend will take the time to reflect
and pay their respects to those who serve? Indeed, how many
Americans will possess the depth of character to pause and reflect?
Family values? This goes way beyond that. This is national
values.
D.J. Schulte
‘Nam vet activist
Basketball bucks
Editor:
I understand Arthur Choung’s sentiments concerning Michael
Jordan and his salary "demands," but Choung’s facts are not
entirely correct ("Jordan deserves $36 million crown," May 23).
Perhaps Choung and the Daily Bruin staff might consider doing
some research, which could lead them to discover that Patrick
Ewing’s $18.7 million salary for this season consists largely of a
one-time balloon payment for salary cap reasons. Each of the
remaining years of his contract will yield him "merely" $3 to $4
million, not the inflated amount that he received this season.
I do not deny that Jordan is the greatest player in the game,
but don’t report that he warrants $18 million per year based on a
Ewing salary which doesn’t exist. A little research can do
wonders.
Doug Wilcox
Fourth-year
Sociology
Blame Wilson, not Chuck
Editor:
In recent weeks UCLA has been highly criticized for its
controversial policy towards fundraising. According to an article
printed in the Los Angeles Times on Thursday, May 23 ("Public
education, private money"), this kind of fundraising is becoming a
trend among the nation’s public universities. While this is a
common practice for private schools, public institutions such as
UCLA are becoming increasingly dependent upon private donations to
make up for a decreasing amount of state funding.
The chancellor has come under attack for allowing contributors
special privileges such as preferred admissions for their children
or friends in order to secure large donations. The admissions
policies at all UC campuses are currently under review by the
governor and regents. However, restricting admissions or placing
limits on donations will not solve the root of the problem. The
problem is the lack of state funding which is forcing UCLA to look
elsewhere for money to maintain our status as a top-notch research
university. Governor Wilson, not the chancellor, is to blame for
this.
I am not in support of preferential admissions, but I believe
that possible restrictions on fundraising would cause more harm
than good. If the governor wants to end preferential admissions, he
should begin by returning funding to our public universities. Only
by decreasing universities’ dependence on private donations, can
the preferential admission policy be ended without adverse effects
to our education.
Jeremy Kahn
Second-year
Political science/history