ASUCLA should beef up BookZone
The drop in BookZone sales has nothing to do with the absence of
best sellers. BookZone stopped being a place to buy books when
ASUCLA decided to make selling BearWear to tourists their number
one (and only) priority. Compared to the bookstores at UC Berkeley
or UC San Diego, UCLA’s so-called bookstore is an
embarrassment to our campus.
I was at a real Westwood bookstore the other evening. The aisles
were packed with students reading books, and there was a line at
the checkout counter. Don’t tell me there’s no demand
for books. BookZone’s problem is simply that it’s not
offering what students and faculty want.
If BookZone ever decides to begin catering to the intellectual
needs of the campus, let me know. Until then, you can find me at
Borders or Barnes & Noble.
Chris Thomas Class of 1972, Office of Academic
Computing
Pledge opponents are out of touch
In the editorial titled “Pledge has no place in public
schools,” (Feb. 4) supporters of the Pledge of Allegiance are
unfairly and incorrectly characterized as blind and “out of
touch.” In reality, it is the opposition to the pledge that
is out of touch.
In 2001, the American Religious Identification Survey National
Survey of Religious Identification conducted in the United States
found 76.5 percent of the population identified itself as
“Christian.” Only 14.1 percent of the population
identified itself as non-religious. Clearly the supporters of the
pledge are in touch with the majority of the United States.
Also, the pledge is not just about the phrase “under
God.” The editorial states, “Americans should have the
freedom to be as devoted or neglectful of patriotic interests as
they please.” Let the majority have the freedom to be
devoted. If everything was criticized and eliminated for alienating
a certain group, most institutions in this country, including
school, would be gone. In conclusion, I would like to remind
opposers to the pledge that every day of their lives they willingly
and “blindly” spend the dollar bill, which bears
“In God We Trust.”John O’Neill First-year,
undeclared
Liu dishonors our heroes
After opening Tuesday’s paper, I was immediately drawn to
Jason Liu’s editorial cartoon. While I have oftentimes
enjoyed his cartoons because of their wit and thought-provoking
messages, I must say that I am not only deeply disappointed but
also offended by his last cartoon.
The image of U.S. soldiers raising an oil derrick on an area
full of ruins is problematic because it makes two dangerous
implications.
First it implies that the Army only has a negative effect
(hinted at by the ruins in the bottom half of the cartoon), and
second, that the Army serves special interests, as seen in the
raising of an oil derrick instead of an American flag. These subtle
implications are a slap in the face to each man and woman who puts
on an uniform to protect the rights guaranteed by the
Constitution.
While I understand Liu is stating his opposition to the upcoming
war with Iraq, I feel that there could have been a better way Liu
could have transmitted his message, especially given the talent he
possesses.
The fact that the cartoon also is a clear reference to the
Marines who planted the U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi during the
battle of Iwo Jima not only diminishes their contribution, but
mocks their act of bravery. Liu probably “forgot” that
over 6,000 Marines lost their lives in the battle to capture an
island which allowed U.S. bombers to bomb Japan’s industrial
facilities. Nor is it ever implied that during the planting of the
flag the Marines were still under heavy enemy fire.
But, then again, I must say that I am not surprised by
Liu’s actions because it is so much easier to criticize what
is wrong with this country instead of appreciating and treasuring
all the things that it does right.
I want to leave Liu with a quote from George S. Patton Jr.,
“Watch what people are cynical about, and one can often
discover what they lack,” hoping that it might affect him in
some way. Paul Marian First-year, history and political
science