Budget statistic misleading
In Jeff Travis’ letter desperately attempting to
defend Students First! (Oct. 1), he used the most worthless (albeit
creative) statistic I’ve ever seen. Travis says that SF!
groups received a lower percentage of what they asked for per
point. Of course they received a lower percentage per
point!
They had so many more points than either neutral or Equal Access
Coalition groups that they ended up with a lower percentage per
point, despite that they received a higher percentage of what they
asked for than either EAC or neutral groups.
Travis obviously planned to say that SF! groups received a lower
percentage of what they asked for than did EAC or neutral groups,
but then found that wasn’t true and instead decided to use
the per-point statistic, a creative statistic that means nothing.
Just the fact that he used such a statistic shows how biased the
allocations were ““ he seemingly couldn’t even come up
with anything worthwhile to help the SF! case.
Additionally, he implies that the SF! groups received more money
because they have more members.
While he mentions MEChA and Asian Pacific Coalition, he
conveniently forgets Mishpacha, which has relatively very few
members and received close to the funding that APC did.
Ross Otto Fourth-year, cognitive science
Debate proves Kerry should be president
After watching the debates Thursday night, Sen. John Kerry
showed me that he has a great command of foreign policy, can be
resolute while thinking critically, and can incorporate some
humanity and dignity into this country’s fear-based foreign
policy. President Bush showed that he can do none of these
things.
Bush looked tired and confused, stumbling over even simplistic
sound-bites related to his policies, while Kerry directly and
skillfully outlined why he should be Bush’s successor.
I am an independent voter. I do not believe that their policies
on the environment, health, corporations or the war on drugs even
warrant them a place at the presidential table.
Kerry was not only the superior debater, but the more qualified
candidate on Thursday night and, as of now, he has my vote.
Will Welch UCLA alumnus