2008 Woodie Awards
Letters to the editor
Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: Opinion
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Secondhand smoke not the issue
Josh Wise's Oct. 12 letter about the campus smoking ban contains some inaccuracies. Wise claims the UA is banning smoking for the health of non-smokers, but neither the Aug. 22 article or editorial on the subject mentioned anything about secondhand smoke. In fact, Mary Alice Serafini, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and the one who created the policy, is quoted as wanting to "educate" smokers and as hoping the threat of police action would give them "an extra incentive" to join cessation programs.
Wise is correct that secondhand smoke is unhealthy, but I don't know which non-smokers this ban would help. Smoking inside, at building entrances or on buses, where there is a captive audience, is already banned on campus.
I am a non-smoker and this semester I have been exposed to secondhand smoke exactly twice. The first was for about a second as I walked past a smoker on my way to class, and the second was when I voluntarily sat and talked to my smoking friend. This sort of incidental exposure to tobacco smoke doesn't affect the health of non-smokers at a level needed to justify government interference with the inalienable rights of adults who make the decision to smoke.
Adam Roberts
Junior
History
Traveler shouldn't apologize
Wow... Boy howdy... 'Tis indeed the end times when I make such strange bedfellows. I, being of a conservative mind set, never thought I would voice an opinion in support of a newspaper, but I guess one must sometimes side with those with whom you disagree in the name of the greater good.
Before my values are brought to question, I will state for the record I am very much against everything the KKK and the Neo-Nazi movements stand for. The policies of racism and genocide are an abomination. That being said, I hope the Traveler will not apologize for running the picture of the skinhead on the front cover.
I thought this was a newspaper, and not simply a piece of student propaganda. The goal of the free press, which has been sadly lacking for years, is to present an objective view of world events. Ya know, news. This is not glorifying, goose-stepping, shiny-domed, psychopaths but a presentation of well.. news.
I know I'm laboring the point, but news is why the Traveler is printed isn't it? To me an apology for running a stupid picture that in no way spotlighted any fringe beliefs amounts to censorship. That, my friends, is a far greater danger. It is the right of every American to speak their mind. It is the responsibility of the media to report it. And that's my two cents.
Bob Baker
Senior
Computer Science
Coins to commemorate integration
Thank you for your recent coverage of the crisis that took place in Little Rock fifty years ago.
In 1957, the start of a new school year for nine heroic African-American teenagers became the international symbol of the end of racially segregated public schools.
On Sept. 25, it was a privilege to hear all nine former students share stories and perspectives on this crucial event. This commemoration provided an opportunity to reflect on the great strides made toward achieving equality for all Americans and to recognize the distance still to go.
In tribute, the Congress passed Public Law 109-146 creating the 2007 silver dollar honoring the Little Rock Nine and the fiftieth anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School. One of only two commemorative coins produced in 2007 by the U.S. Mint, a portion of the proceeds from this silver dollar will go to the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site to help share these stories with younger generations and preserve this historic neighborhood.
The 2007 Little Rock Central High School Desegregation 50th Anniversary Silver Dollar is available from the U.S. Mint at www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). It is a beautiful coin, honoring nine worthy and courageous Americans.
Rep. S. Vic Snyder, D-Ark.
Clinton's name not mentioned
In response to Mr. Lammers' Oct. 15 letter: In no way did we ever mention Mrs. Clinton's name. Glad we caught your eye, though!
Rachael Davis
Junior
Political Science/Spanish
Josh Wise's Oct. 12 letter about the campus smoking ban contains some inaccuracies. Wise claims the UA is banning smoking for the health of non-smokers, but neither the Aug. 22 article or editorial on the subject mentioned anything about secondhand smoke. In fact, Mary Alice Serafini, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and the one who created the policy, is quoted as wanting to "educate" smokers and as hoping the threat of police action would give them "an extra incentive" to join cessation programs.
Wise is correct that secondhand smoke is unhealthy, but I don't know which non-smokers this ban would help. Smoking inside, at building entrances or on buses, where there is a captive audience, is already banned on campus.
I am a non-smoker and this semester I have been exposed to secondhand smoke exactly twice. The first was for about a second as I walked past a smoker on my way to class, and the second was when I voluntarily sat and talked to my smoking friend. This sort of incidental exposure to tobacco smoke doesn't affect the health of non-smokers at a level needed to justify government interference with the inalienable rights of adults who make the decision to smoke.
Adam Roberts
Junior
History
Traveler shouldn't apologize
Wow... Boy howdy... 'Tis indeed the end times when I make such strange bedfellows. I, being of a conservative mind set, never thought I would voice an opinion in support of a newspaper, but I guess one must sometimes side with those with whom you disagree in the name of the greater good.
Before my values are brought to question, I will state for the record I am very much against everything the KKK and the Neo-Nazi movements stand for. The policies of racism and genocide are an abomination. That being said, I hope the Traveler will not apologize for running the picture of the skinhead on the front cover.
I thought this was a newspaper, and not simply a piece of student propaganda. The goal of the free press, which has been sadly lacking for years, is to present an objective view of world events. Ya know, news. This is not glorifying, goose-stepping, shiny-domed, psychopaths but a presentation of well.. news.
I know I'm laboring the point, but news is why the Traveler is printed isn't it? To me an apology for running a stupid picture that in no way spotlighted any fringe beliefs amounts to censorship. That, my friends, is a far greater danger. It is the right of every American to speak their mind. It is the responsibility of the media to report it. And that's my two cents.
Bob Baker
Senior
Computer Science
Coins to commemorate integration
Thank you for your recent coverage of the crisis that took place in Little Rock fifty years ago.
In 1957, the start of a new school year for nine heroic African-American teenagers became the international symbol of the end of racially segregated public schools.
On Sept. 25, it was a privilege to hear all nine former students share stories and perspectives on this crucial event. This commemoration provided an opportunity to reflect on the great strides made toward achieving equality for all Americans and to recognize the distance still to go.
In tribute, the Congress passed Public Law 109-146 creating the 2007 silver dollar honoring the Little Rock Nine and the fiftieth anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School. One of only two commemorative coins produced in 2007 by the U.S. Mint, a portion of the proceeds from this silver dollar will go to the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site to help share these stories with younger generations and preserve this historic neighborhood.
The 2007 Little Rock Central High School Desegregation 50th Anniversary Silver Dollar is available from the U.S. Mint at www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). It is a beautiful coin, honoring nine worthy and courageous Americans.
Rep. S. Vic Snyder, D-Ark.
Clinton's name not mentioned
In response to Mr. Lammers' Oct. 15 letter: In no way did we ever mention Mrs. Clinton's name. Glad we caught your eye, though!
Rachael Davis
Junior
Political Science/Spanish
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