hear us out

On behalf of the majority of those who attended last month?s lecture entitled “Why They Hate Us,” we would like to take this opportunity to voice our concerns regarding the speaker, Sam Edelman?s attitude toward and resentment against the mass of the audience. In this particular lecture, the mass of the audience consisted of Muslim students who wandered into the lecture in search of an answer to the unending hatred and violence in Israel. Unfortunately, however, we encountered quite the opposite; in our search for resolve we walked out of that room more puzzled than before.

The first reason for our mental disturbance was that Edelman?s title, “Why They Hate Us,” was unequivocally misleading. Instead of addressing his title and making clear to his audience why the Palestinians hate the Israelis, Edelman chose to ignore this question and implore, rather, how the Arab media contributes to the hatred that all Muslims and/or Arabs have for the Israelis and Jews. Even after the audience?s insistence that he explain to us and inform us why the Palestinians hate the Israelis, Edelman deliberately avoided all inquiries.

The audience, after all, held no significance for Edelman. He ostracized the Muslim students by, first of all, not addressing them. Secondly, when he did address them, Edelman attacked their views instead of answering their questions.

The content of the lecture was very obviously biased; there were a lot of inaccuracies in his speech ? inaccuracies that would be common knowledge to anyone remotely knowlegable in the area of Palestinian-Israeli conflict. These inaccuracies brought a doubt, for lack of a better term, upon Edelman?s credibility as a well-versed speaker.

Overall, Edelman?s tone throughout his speech was one of bitterness, hatred and resentment. He never addressed the issues the Palestinians may be facing, and he also ignored all opposing views. He was extremely biased and, therefore, a poor example of a speaker who appeared to be, from the announcement, promoting peace in a war-torn land. As a result of this badly flawed speech, we welcome any opportunity to discuss, in an educated and fair manner, opposing views on the issue of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Mohamed Hamada

President

Muslim Students?

Association

A bad wrap

In the Feb. 27 editorial, “Take a Walk in our Shoes,” The State Hornet once again trashes its fellow students in an attempt to forward what otherwise may be a justifiable argument. Does The Hornet have any documented evidence to support the statement, “Try to use the computer lab in the Library. It could take more than an hour to find a computer during peak time”? Of course not; that would take too much effort and would give you the results you want for your purposes.

Many customer service improvements have been realized in the managed computer labs in the past year. Though enrollment continues to grow and scheduled classes use increasing hours of general computer lab time, student employees working as lab assistants have managed to cut waiting times from a year ago both to use a work station and to print.

We suggest that The State Hornet investigate two issues that are affecting service levels in the lab. First, The Hornet may want to consider the effect of increasing misuse of University computing equipment by students who spend hours playing games, downloading and copying music and video files and otherwise tie up limited resources for personal use while other students are waiting to use them for educational purposes. Second, The Hornet might consider the increasing level of rudeness displayed by students who seem to feel that their loud conversations and ringing cell phones do not distract other students who are trying to study and compose papers.

Signed by 37 student assistants

from the UCCS computer labs

Rats!

In regards to the article in the Feb. 27 Hornet about the waiting list for the dorms, I would like to save those on the list a lot of time by letting them know that they would be better off living somewhere else?and probably for a lot cheaper. I currently live in Sierra Hall and for only $700 a month, I get to share a glorified cubicle with my roommate. To make matters worse, Sierra Hall has recently experienced a little problem with mice. The parking situation is also terrific. On nights and weekends residents are ticketed for parking in the staff lot behind the Dining Commons. About 50 parking spaces in that lot go unused during the night and on weekends.

Most of the Resident Advisers in the dorms are easy to get along with, but there are exceptions. A few of them take it upon themselves to make life hell for good residents. Recent write- ups have been centered around “talking after 10 p.m.,” “music on with door open after 10 p.m.” and my personal favorite, “the static from your TV is way too loud could you please do something about it?” Don?t get me wrong, not everything is that bad about the dorms. The food is really good. Of course, anyone who has had the pleasure of eating in the dining commons would know that was a joke.

Nick Damico

Almost, Matt

Matt Wagar-was close to understanding the Afghan conflict when he mentioned that there were no rules in war and said the Vietnamese and Irish conflicts were terrorists we’re used to. But those were fundamentally wars of or for states.–North Vietnam wanted to win and the Irish wanted to have their country-free of English rule,-this group does not want their country or any political gain. They want you Matt to die, not only you, matt but me and our parents and children as well. If any comparable comparison could be made in history it would have to be the Nazi view of the final solution for the European Jews.- You and I are-not humans, we are infidel to them and-by any means at their disposal to be killed, it is that-simple.- —-

Kris Nixon

student

Cash problems

According to the Consumer Federation of America, within their first year of being a cardholder, one in five students can carry a debt of more than $10,000. Many consumer advocates and credit counselors say this heavy debt burden results in students changing majors, changing schools or dropping out altogether.

Of the projected 1.4 million people to declare bankruptcy this year, it is estimated that seven percent will be in the 18-24 age group, according to a recent study on students and credit cards by the United States General Accounting Office. Credit card companies bombard college students with offers of t-shirts, sports bottles or food to encourage them to sign-up. Many students will give in to the temptation.

Fortunately, help is on the way. This past September, Governor Davis signed into law A.B. 521, “The Student Financial Responsibility Act,” designed to provide higher-education students with relief from the escalating crunch of credit card debt. The Act can help stop credit card abuse before financial ruin is inevitable. Among other things, the new law calls on California’s three public higher education systems (the University of California campuses, the State College system and community colleges), as well as private and independent colleges, to regulate the marketing practices used on campus by credit card companies. More important, due to its long-term positive impact, the new law requires that credit card and debt education and counseling sessions become a regular part of campus orientation of new students.

Dianne Wilkman

CFA all the way!

As a former student leader at Sacramento State and a strong supporter of the California Faculty Association, it is time again for Associated Students, Inc. to strongly support the CFA. I urge the current ASI Board to dig out a resolution I drafted three years ago supporting the CFA and pass it because the issues are the same today. The treatment of our professors by Chancellor Charles B. Reed and President Donald Gerth continues to be disrespectful and unacceptable.

Sean South

For the kids

I am writing to express concerns I have regarding the availability of childcare and the expected growth of the campus population. I know several students who placed their children on a waiting list and waited 1.5 to 2 years for a space. It would seem to me that there is a great demand for childcare on campus and that Associated Students, Inc. would seek to accommodate that demand.

I am not familiar with the entire expansion plan of Sacramento State, but I hope that the Children?s Center is planning to expand as well. There are many reasons to add new rooms, new teachers, and a larger setting to the existing center. The primary reason is to support students and their ability to get an education. Many of the students are parents and they cannot afford full-time daycare for their children. Therefore, Sac State and ASI need to make appropriate childcare available to all students.

Another reason to expand is to accommodate the needs of the full-time staff. It is my understanding that staff is on the bottom of the waiting list and the last priority for childcare on campus. I am not sure of the logic behind this policy, but because staff serves the students sometimes more often than faculty, I would think supporting them and their children be a priority. The staff members are available to students for 14 hours per week, whereas faculty are available for three office hours and possibly 12 in-class hours.

In view of this growing trend and the great need for quality daycare on campus, I strongly urge the Children?s Center to make plans for expansion. This will benefit the students, staff, and faculty. It may also benefit the Education Department?s students who will have the opportunity to spend time in a working center.

Karen M. Edgerly

Administrative Assistant

Criminal Justice