April 24, 2008
Economics not considered in the sweat shop protests
Last week when the SESJ decided to stage a protest in President Dennison’s office they overlooked a very important part of the sweatshop issue, the economics of the situation. Economics? Isn’t that just a fancy word rich Republicans use while they fly around in their private jets? No it’s not, and its more important than the SESJ can grasp.
April 10, 2008
Rental Safety Ordinance
I’m excited that the ASUM Senate and executive candidates are focused on the Montana Legislature and furthering efforts to make college affordable for all Montana students. As the former ASUM lobbyist I can testify to the importance of ASUM being an active participant in state government. It’s also important that student leaders understand the role local government plays in a number of aspects of student life. The rental safety ordinance pending before City Council is a prime example of what students can do collectively if they work diligently, think strategically and speak with a unified voice.
April 3, 2008
Diaz for ASUM business manager
I am writing to express my excitement and enthusiasm as a candidate for the ASUM Business Manager position.
This is my fifth year at the University of Montana as a full time undergraduate and next year I look forward to continuing my education in the graduate program.
Throughout the years I have been involved in numerous student groups. I have been involved in ASUM for three years as a student-at-large and senator.
March 11, 2008
Negligent maintenance hurts disabled students
College is a hectic time for anyone. Between homework and exams, it’s important to attend class regularly so that we don’t fall behind. Upper-division classes can be difficult, and lectures are an invaluable asset to understanding the material.
These facts were on my mind this morning as I sat in the library instead of my class, since the elevator in the Social Sciences Building was not working (again). I’m a disabled student here at the University, and like any other student, it is my responsibility to make every reasonable effort to attend lecture. However, the maintenance of the facilities is not my responsibility.
March 11, 2008
Political silence speaks despite what some say
Yesterday, I was pleased to discover that yet another war is being carried out with the intent of “bettering” Missoula, a so-called “War on Apathy.” What bothers me about this is not so much the appropriation of the violent imagery of war against yet another abstract noun as it is the way this ideal marginalizes those who don’t conform. The apathy I will refer to throughout is political “apathy,” or non-participation in politics.
March 6, 2008
College Republicans, Democrats team together
In case you haven’t noticed, there’s an election going on in our great nation. And with every election (or even in our daily lives) we should all take notice and become active participants in our community, government and the world at large.
It is because of the importance of awareness and civic engagement that the College Republicans and the College Democrats are joining ASUM’s War on Apathy Campaign.
February 28, 2008
College Democrats president responds to Shevlin’s questions
Every day I walk into the Liberal Arts building, grab the day’s issue of the Kaimin, and open right to the opinion section to see what kind of crazy things people have to say. I was intrigued to find an LTE in Thursday’s issue titled “Liberals too passive when it comes to terrorism.” As president of the College Democrats, I feel it is my responsibility to answer Mr. Shevlin’s ignorant rant with an intelligent response.
First, I must point out how dangerous ignorance like Mr. Shevlin’s is. He confuses and interchanges the words liberal and terrorist as if they were one in the same. I suppose I can understand how scary an opposing view can be to such close-minded individuals, so maybe Mr. Shevlin actually views us progressives as terrorists. But I don’t recall a single “liberal” calling our own people “evil American Imperialist Military invaders,” but I have continually heard through Al-Jazeera a number of al-Qaida leaders referring to our troops as such. I won’t speculate how someone so interested in facts could screw that one up.
February 28, 2008
A response to hate and ignorance
A response to hate and ignorance
I would like to begin this letter by criticizing the Kaimin for its inability to publish letters to the editor from a variety of sources. Unless the bigoted Daniel Shevlin is the only Missoulian writing in with his opinion, it would be nice to not read back-to-back rants from an angry xenophobe. At the very least I hope the Kaimin would require this misinformed individual to cite his “objective” statistics. (And I don’t think we should count Sean Hannity or Michael Savage.)
February 27, 2008
Guns cannot solve school shootings
I am writing in response to the article printed about concealed carry. I myself have been invited to this Facebook group, yet immediately rejected the invitation. I am completely appalled that such an issue is receiving the press it is. Not to mention the standpoint the DIRECTOR of Public Safety has taken on this issue. The statement, “…folks have to prepare to respond and help themselves” insinuates Lemcke wants students to take measures into their own hands.
February 27, 2008
Offending statements from western media are biased
The letter published on the 21st of February titled ‘Liberals too passive when it comes to terrorism’ deeply offended me and many other Muslims in Missoula. Poor research by its author and ignorance of world issues has led to such sweeping statements in the letter, which had little truth in it.
February 27, 2008
No answers for unsound arguments
Ah, our righteousness when we firmly believe the fallacy of our arguments. For Mr. Shevlin, I offer these responses with hope that he recognizes the flaws in his logic. First, a definition of fallacy so he might understand where he started to go wrong. A fallacy is erroneous reasoning that renders unsound arguments. His letter exemplifies fallacy. First he argues, illogically, that Muslim extremists killing one another, rather than targeting our troops, is reason enough to continue wasting American lives, despite his own assertion that Islam is fundamentally and historically violent. His evidence demonstrates the uselessness of our presence. Next, he adds a completely unrelated statement about Lutherans and Catholics. Is it to confuse us or simply a demonstration of his own confusion? I have no idea.
February 26, 2008
Missoula Realtors undermining compromise on renters' safety
I’m writing to express my frustration with the self interested parties who are opposing renter’s safety, particularly the Missoula Organizations of Realtors. It was disappointing that the REALTORS were unwilling to offer any kind of constructive alternative at the committee hearing Wednesday night. They were invited to sit on the subcommittee, but refused to participate. Now at the last minute they are trying to derail the hard work and compromise that has gone into crafting this ordinance. The subcommittee was made up of a wide variety of individuals representing many different view points, including our friends in the property management community. Even the University Homeowners Association supports the idea. Though we did not always agree we treated each other with civility and respect. This ordinance is a product of that compromise and cooperation.
February 21, 2008
Liberals too passive when it comes to terrorism
On Feb. 1, in Baghdad, Iraq, two mentally handicapped women were strapped with explosives and sent to different areas of the city. When these women were deemed to be in areas that would generate the most carnage and death, “men” pushed a button, and these handicapped women, who didn’t know or understand what they were being forced to undertake, were incinerated, along with over 80 innocent Iraqi civilians.
February 21, 2008
Owner of lost cell phone thanks finder
On Feb. 14, I lost my cell phone while on campus to give a lecture at a colleague’s class. By the time I walked home, I had a message on my home phone from a student who had found my phone, and was leaving it at the Mansfield Lost & Found for me to pick up.
February 20, 2008
Missoula is not ‘Racist’ or 'Anti-Muslim'
After reading Jessica Mayrer’s incredibly obtuse letter ("Gays and Muslims both face discrimination") in the Feb. 14 issue of the Kaimin, I almost passed out from laughing so damn hard. But then I came to my senses and realized that this person is actually running the Kaimin’s editorial department, and my emotions changed from laughter to sadness and fright.
February 20, 2008
Volunteer service is beneficial
I’m writing in response to Mitchell Willcox’s argument against mandatory national service. I’ll start by saying that I agree with Mr. Willcox’s position: mandatory national service is indeed untenable; neither the social nor political will exists to create and run such a program.
Yet I would argue forcefully that national service is neither a burden on our young people nor is it an economic drain on the nation, as Mr. Willcox asserts. Non-mandatory (the operative word being “non”) national service not only strengthens the United States economy, it also improves the quality of life for everyone involved.
