Student takes issue with Europe bashing
I would like to take the opportunity to respond to Mr. Doré’s column on “Blind Pacifism.” While Mr. Doré apparently sees “flames of hate against America” in Germany, people in Germany and elsewhere in Europe are appalled by the growing European-bashing. Not a week goes by without insults from Defense [Secretary] Rumsfeld characterizing Germany and France as “problems, representing old Europe” or even equating Germany with Syria or Libya.
Last time I left Germany it was still an independent, sovereign nation allowed to have its own stance on foreign policies. Or do freedom of speech and thought only apply to Americans? Being an ally of the United States does not mean to blindly follow orders from the White House. Germany does not promote blind pacifism, contrary to Mr. Doré’s beliefs. Instead it takes an active role in the war on terrorism by taking over the command of the peacekeeping force in Afghanistan together with the Dutch. In addition, Germany would also like to see a regime change in Iraq; however, there are a number of reasons which speak against a possible war in Iraq.
First, the evidence presented by Secretary of State Colin Powell to the Security Council was not conclusive to justify a pre-emptive strike. Some of his evidence originated from a 12-year-old faulty student’s dissertation. Second, the preliminary after-war plans for Iraq, which include a two-year reign of a U.S. general, have been rejected by Iraqi oppositionists and Iraqi curds. A war with Iraq would destabilize the whole Middle East and additionally create more terrorism.
By the way, while France gave equipment for a nuclear power plant, it was also in the 1980s that the United States provided Iraq with chemical and biological weapons to fight Iran. Though Mr. Doré suspects economic reasons behind Germany’s and France’s objection, I guess it might only be a mere coincidence that Iraq has the second largest oil resort in the world.
Please, Mr. Doré, next time you write about other countries and their foreign policies, read more than just the White House’s press statements.
Annett Moehner
Graduate Student — Environmental Science
Gender, sexuality aren’t roles in service
The professional in uniform knows there is no way of intuitively knowing the sexual orientation of any individual on their watch or in their unit. She or he keeps it in mind that a gay or lesbian in uniform is very likely to keep quiet about it and present themselves in strict adherence to military code and conduct. The educated and informed among us know serving at the risk of a general or dishonorable discharge for being gay or lesbian takes great courage on the part of the individual.
A military professional might also surmise that if a gay man or lesbian woman chooses our armed forces, he or she must genuinely want to serve their country in uniform, ready to adopt the title and identity of her or his commission, warrant or enlistment at the exclusion of all others, perhaps so much as to become an exemplary individual who will be a credit to her or his unit, branch and country.
If I were a woman in uniform, that uniform and all that goes with it would constitute my identity far beyond that of my gender — a military person first and foremost. Remember the movie, “GI Jane,” starring Demi Moore? There was a scene in which the Command Master Chief Petty Officer of the training unit said to the other N.C.O.s something like, “She’s not the problem — we’re the problem.”
Think about it.
Robert Bigelow
Non-matriculating — Arts and Sciences
Profiler story had misinformation
Ms. Wilbert needs to go relearn how to do research and listen to what a speaker says. In her article on John Douglas, she says: “Douglas, who has worked on several cases.”
From Mr. Douglas’ book Mindhunter, paperback edition, page three: “I was handling about 150 active cases at a time with no backup.”
Even worse, later in her article she claims that “He said investigators can even predict the race of the killer because in most cases the victim is the opposite race.”
Again, quoting from Mindhunter, paperback edition, page 203: “This also fit in with our experience that sexual killers tend to target their own race.”
What Mr. Douglas said was that most killers start as INTRAracial killers. Intra: within, on the inside. The Intracoastal Waterway in southern Louisiana is within Louisiana’s borders, so it is not the Intercoastal Waterway; he would have said interracial if he meant that most killers are of another race than their victims. She also neglected to mention that Mr. Douglas believes the local serial killer has prior violent crime convictions, because you do not just wake up one day and decide that you are going to start killing people.
While the libraries on campus have only one copy of any of Mr. Douglas’ books published under his name, the East Baton Rouge library system has most, if not all, of his books. Try paying more attention and do a little research next time.
David Spitzer
Sophomore — Sociology
Thanks for access to Cricket World Cup
LSU is a natural place to promote global education and exchange because of its international population of 1,700. Student Government has taken a great initiative in bringing the Cricket World Cup to the LSU campus. It means a lot to the hundreds of cricket fans here! Endeavors like these encourage programs that prepare us for a global environment. I have a lot of American friends who are very excited about it and are glad that they have an opportunity to be part of the excitement, just as we internationals have loved to cheer for the Tigers and the Saints.
We thank the International Cultural Center for hosting the games and appreciate the support provided by the Indian Students Association, the Bangladesh Students Association and the Pakistan Students Association. We would like to see more student organizations come together and tap into the international resources throughout the year and help build international understanding.
Once again, you guys are doing a great job. More information about the world cup can be found on http://www.lsu.edu/icc/
Shriya Bhushan
Public Relations Officer — Indian Students Association