Accusations of racism in Arizona bill unfoundedIn his Wednesday column, “Athletes should boycott Arizona,” sports columnist Amos Morale defends his stance that this bill has racist roots and is unjust on those grounds. However he fails to justify his opinion in many ways. He makes a point that the law would provide police in Arizona the ability to racially profile people of certain races — even though the goal of this law is to find, detain and punish people who are here illegally. Morale believes this is a direct attack on the Hispanic community, though he makes a special point to mention that Steve Nash would fall under the same jurisdiction if he were to be stopped and found without identification. I think the point he misses is that everyone should be carrying identification on their persons if they are operating a motor vehicle in this country, right?Moreover, this law does not simply allow police officers to pull people over based on looks alone. Though, I ask you, since America is a “melting pot,” what does an illegal alien look like anyway? Furthermore, the police must make “lawful contact” such as stopping someone for speeding, violating a traffic law, responding to a call, etc. During these routine stops they ask for identification (proof of citizenship), regardless. So for most Americans, nothing will change. However, this bill does allow officers to enforce federal immigration laws, knowing that their state is behind them.Next, Morale goes on to say that this bill is “too extreme,” and perhaps he is right. Perhaps we should enact laws like that of Mexico, the homeland to the illegals whom he is trying to protect. In Mexico, people who are found to be illegal aliens are automatically assumed guilty of a felony, put in jail and deported without so much as a hearing.I’m not an advocate against immigration — though I am against those who do not go through the proper channels to become legal, taxpaying, citizens of this country.Nicholas Bottsenvironmental engineering juniorDead Week anger filled with misconceptionsIn Thursday’s “Our View.” the description of the concentrated study period (A.K.A. dead week) which cited the LSU General Catalog contains an error. The last sentence in the paragraph detailing the catalog statement says “In addition, no new material should be introduced during this time.”The statement for the LSU catalog actually reads as follows: “The five-day period during the fall and spring semesters (Wednesday through Sunday) immediately preceding the week of final examinations will be set aside as a concentrated study period. During this time, no extracurricular student activities, such as social and athletic events, will be held on or off campus. Graded required course work (including exams, quizzes and homework) may count for a total of at most 10 percent of the student’s grade in the course.Class projects that have been scheduled and placed on the syllabus within the first two weeks of the academic semester are exempt from the 10 percent limit. The assumption is that work on such a project will take place throughout the semester. Laboratory courses are also exempt from this policy.Any other exceptions must receive prior approval from the Office of Academic Affairs. Students should report any violations of this policy to the Office of Academic Affairs.”It says absolutely nothing about a ban on the introduction of new material. Now I realize you folks are busy getting ready for finals and doing all those projects you may have put off to the last minute but COME ON MAN!!! This was too easy to fact check and getting it wrong is way beneath your standards.Dr. Steven Pomericobiology instructor____Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at [email protected]