U.S. should better industrial base

All of us should support Purdue Students Against Sweatshops. As a matter of fact, Congress should pass a bill mandating that American companies pay everyone they employ minimum wage and that their employees should have insurance. Furthermore, we shouldn't allow the importation of anything that anyone produces who does not provide these minimums. Don't get me wrong, I don't really care about those workers. I just want to end the exportation of jobs by American companies. If we raise the cost of doing business overseas, the companies will stay home and provide jobs for Americans. It is the lack of a good industrial base that is at the root of many problems in the U.S. While our industrial base was supreme, black Americans and others were coming closer to being united with the rest. All Americans could count on getting a "good" job and thus paying taxes which in turn funded schools. Today, a significant portion of our population has no means to get a quality education because they cannot pay taxes. This does not allow for equal opportunity, especially in poorer neighborhoods. Since minorities have higher rates of poverty, this equals disadvantages for certain minorities. Since minorities are less educated, they seem dumber. This in turn feeds racism. Poor Americans are blamed for not getting the education that they cannot get.

Let's get out there and support Purdue Students Against Sweatshops.

Manuel A. Paulet

Purdue alumnus

Lack of courtesy upsets student

I was in the Stewart Center waiting patiently to use the phone. I waited ... and I waited ... and I waited. Ten minutes went by so I decided to go to another phone. At the next phone site, I had to listen to two people chat on about meaningless things, while three people waited patiently to get their turn. As the other two girls and I chatted about how rude the two guys using the phone were, one guy had the nerve to say "Go find another phone" after we mentioned the fact that there were three other people waiting. The fact is that the campus phones are for everyone. When you see other people waiting, the polite thing to do is to get off the phone. So for those of you who just have to be rude and have conversations about what you're going to buy for dinner or what you need to buy at the mall, think first about how you would feel waiting on a phone for 20 minutes. Better yet save your meaningless conversations for when you get home.

Julia Davis

junior, School of Liberal Arts

Christians view prayer as necessity

Earlier this semester I had heard of some students' objection to a professor praying to himself before a lecture. These students had considered this discrimination. I do not consider a professor saying a prayer in a class, either large or small, to be a discriminating act. In our society, it might be classified as an "expression". As a Christian, prayer is a necessity.

In the university setting and the rest of the world's stage, we are exposed to many views — some wrong, some right and some just different. Even though we may not agree with what we are exposed to, we should take it into account and make our opinions or decisions accordingly. I am sad that prayer has offended some, and I sincerely hope that changes with time. However, please look at other viewpoints open-mindedly. As a University student studying science, I have sat through numerous lectures concerning evolution. I do not believe in human evolution theory, but my being exposed to such view, I have analyzed the facts more closely and grasped onto my beliefs more strongly. I suggest sitting back, smiling, not letting the nuances of life bite at you, and personally, I suggest praying.

Joanne Mosher

graduate student

Purdue should block Napstar use

Sadly, I discovered that Purdue will not block the use of Napster by students using the Purdue computer networks. Copying and distributing copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder is illegal and use of Napster to do this is prohibited as clearly stated in the Napster terms of use agreement. You would have to be delusional to think that no Purdue students have used Purdue computer resources and Napster to engage in the clearly illegal activity of obtaining copyrighted material without the required permission. By continuing to allow the school's computer resources to be used in this manner sends the message that Purdue is willing to turn a blind eye to illegal activities as long as it makes the students happy. Each time someone uses Purdue computers to obtain the latest new music without having to buy it from a local retailer, it tells a tale of how important the community we claim to be a part of really is. By allowing this to happen, Purdue is taking away from the livelihood of our community and tarnishing the Purdue name. The Purdue administration has a responsibility to uphold Purdue’s good name. I am proud to be a Purdue Boilermaker but am angered that I may also be considered a Purdue Bootlegger.

Steven Gale

freshman, University Division

Student ponders homosexual genes

I read with great interest a letter published in The Exponent, which claimed that homosexuality is not a choice, but rather is genetic.

So, I began thinking about this "genetic" code and came to this decision. Homosexuality is the single-most dangerous genetic defect ever. It could wipe out the species. Think about it. Those individuals who have this defect are unwilling to reproduce. Now, this may lead those of you that are forward thinking to come to the conclusion that the defect would eliminate itself when all of those with the defect fail to reproduce. However, many people with this defect may reproduce before the gene manifests itself, therefore passing the gene onto their offspring.

Mankind's only hope is that this gene is recessive.

Andrew Moeschberger

sophomore, School of Education

Student supports hunger strikers

I would like to thank those who participated in the hunger strike for bringing the issue of sweatshops/monitoring organizations to my attention. Like a good teacher whose lessons a student quietly absorbs and uses years later, your influence may be even greater than that which is immediately evident. Not only was I personally affected, I also witnessed several discussions among faculty, staff and students. Whether or not these individuals agreed with your goal of joining the Worker Rights Consortium, they were all influenced by your efforts in some way. They were also respectful of your opinions and impressed by the sacrifice required. This is why I was shocked to learn about others who held picnics near your camp or heckled your group. Such individuals certainly have a right to disagree, but I am embarrassed for them for their basic lack of maturity and respect. Please be aware that there are others, including myself, who were moved by your efforts and who may be a bit quicker to help support (or lead) similar efforts in the future.

Laura Pritchett

graduate student

Boy Scouts want to protect boys

I am an assistant scoutmaster for a Boy Scout troop. I went through Basic Leader Training last spring and learned the following about the homosexuality issue:

If a scout (under 18 years old) claims to be homosexual, no one really cares! From what I understand, the boy is just asked to keep this issue to himself. After all, heterosexuals aren't expected to tell everyone that they are heterosexual. Plus, most people this young do not know enough about sexual orientation to really "label" themselves as heterosexual or homosexual.

If a leader (18 years old or older) claims to be homosexual, that's when people worry. Think about it. That would be like having a man for a Girl Scout leader or a woman for a Boy Scout leader. Granted, I do know a few women scoutmasters but that is quite rare. My point is that a homosexual leader would be required to work closely with a group of young boys at least once a week, about one weekend per month and maybe for a couple weeks in the summer. That would be like letting a heterosexual man spend a week with a group of young girls and asking him not to be aroused. Would you want your 16-year-old daughter spending a week camping with a heterosexual man who could be as young as 18 years old? I highly doubt this. The only reason the Boy Scouts of America looks unfavorably upon homosexual leaders is for the protection of the boys.

I am getting tired of hearing stuff about discrimination in the Boy Scouts, so I hope this clears things up.

T.J. Fech

freshman, School of Education

Liberal media disgusts student

I am writing to express my disgust with today's liberal news media. I am appalled at the lack of honesty with which it reports stories and the one-sided liberal viewpoints the average newspaper takes. Why is it that reporters consistently throw Mickey Mouse questions at liberal politicians (i.e. How is Socks the cat doing?) while completely ignoring the hardline issues that the public wants to know about. Why is it that reporters who ask real questions have an uncanny knack for getting fired? The Exponent columnists are no exception. If there is an immoral, atheistic or anti-patriotic view to be held, they will gladly embrace it because they have been trained to — having learned by example. However, I will give The Exponent this: it is an excellent training ground for future newspaper personnel. The Exponent columnists will fit right into the fascist media empire when they graduate. I guess what I am trying to say to the students of Purdue is that we shouldn't allow the media to trample on our rights to free speech. If you know the truth about an issue that the liberal news media chooses to skirt, let other people know about it by any means possible. Write a letter to the editor, distribute flyers or start an e-mail chain letter. Better yet, start up a newspaper that isn't run by degenerates.

This has been my overly humble opinion.

Casey B. Neidlinger

junior, School of Technology

Song comments on Americans

Corey Swartz wrote that in nominating the "South Park" song "Blame Canada," the Academy Awards was insulting Canadians. This requires that the song itself be insulting to Canadians, which it isn't. "Blame Canada" is nothing less (and everything more) than an embellished commentary on those Americans who seek solace in blaming others for their own problems. Using Canada's probity as the focal point ices the cake. Our great neighbor to the north likely edged out the Boy Scouts for top spot. I can say this with reasonable certainty as I am "half" Canadian and have spent most of my life there. Compared to Americans, Canadians are stolid when it comes to national pride. It's teeming; it just doesn't get out. Interpreting this song as an attempt to dent the Canadian shield is a mistake. So remember, in the spirit of anthem, the next time you find yourself choking on a "jelly," BLAME CANADA, eh!

Peter Sharp

graduate student

Student questions organization

I have done a small amount of research into sweatshops and have found that there are many organizations devoted to stopping sweatshops. Here is a partial list of those organizations.

• National Labor Committee

• International Labor Rights Fund

• Child Labor Coalition

• Sweatshop Watch

• Campaign for Labor Rights

• Co-op America

• Feminists Against Sweatshops

• United Consumers Action Network Against Sweatshops

• National Mobilization Against Sweatshops

• Clean Clothes Campaign

• United Students Against Sweatshops

Plus, of course, the Worker Rights Consortium. I have not studied all of these groups in depth. I assume that some of them are good organizations that are worthy of our support, while others may be either rabidly liberal or rabidly conservative groups with whom Purdue does not wish to be affiliated. To my knowledge, our hunger strikers have not given any reasons why the (Worker Rights Consortium) ought to be Purdue's chosen affiliate.

Nor have they given any explanation of the following clause in the (Worker Rights Consortium's) Companion Document, dated Feb. 9, under the heading "Verification Policies:

"The organizations who will be reporting worker complaints ... are human rights and religious organizations based in apparel-producing regions."

Is it wise for Purdue, a state-supported, non-sectarian institution, to be held accountable to religious organizations? The answer may be yes, but this is a decision that needs to be carefully considered, and not under the pressure of dozens of students starving themselves in an attempt to manipulate the administration.

Joel Bruhn

Purdue staff

Students outline suggestions

We are writing this letter to applaud the recent editorials opposing homosexual involvement in the Boy Scouts. It is inspirational to see that students on this campus are fighting the trend toward political correctness and helping to usher in a new age of intolerance. The Bible says it is wrong to be gay. Of course the Bible also says "Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven" (Matthew 7:1). But who said that anyway? Surely it was not the son of God preaching tolerance. After all, we at Purdue know homosexuals are sick and perverted because of what has been written in the Bible.

Our main question is why stop there? Why only ship homosexuals to live in "camps?" This is only a small beginning. Do not put a Band-Aid on a gaping chest wound. The Jewish people have different beliefs. They too may be dangerous to God-fearing America. So, too, we must eliminate Muslims, Atheists, Agnostics, Buddhists, Hindus and Native Americans as well. They do not believe in "our" God, so they obviously are also harmful.

Even that may not end the moral decay in God-fearing America. Working mothers are an abomination and must be punished. People who listen to heavy metal (the devil's music) are dangerous. What about vegetarians? Everyone knows there is something wrong with a person who cannot appreciate a good steak. Anyone who had ever had a drink and then drove must be sent to "camp." Actually, just drinking is bad enough. Smokers should be shot on sight. There is no reason to even give them a trial. And finally, the people who take up a space and a half in the parking garages must go. They are stealing from the true, "saved" students at Purdue who pay dearly for the right to park.

This is only the beginning of the "Final Solution." In the end, when America finally returns to its God-fearing roots, there may only be us and you left. But we are not too sure about you yet. After all, someone might not like how you live your life either.

Don Malott Jr.

Graduate Student

Devon Hensel

Graduate Student

Erin Anderson

Graduate Student

Scouts have right to exclude gays

In response to the letter of Mr. Hoffman in the April 11 Exponent.

Mr. Hoffman wrote in on a subject which has long been absent from our beloved editorial page. That's right, he brought up the dead horse of Boy Scouts and homosexuality and began to kick it. Well, since it's in the open, I'll take a kick too.

In his letter, Mr. Hoffman brings up the point that the Boy Scouts are "seemingly a private organization." No seemingly about it. They are a private organization, in no way affiliated with the government. They get their money from private donations, the United Way and fund raisers. As such, they can decide who can and cannot be in their ranks. This is especially true seeing as the positions homosexuals want are volunteer positions. They aren't losing money, folks. The scouts can choose who they want in. They can hang a "no gays" sign on the clubhouse door, and it's OK by me.

Also, let’s not bring up segregation. The issue is different. You are born black or white. Despite what you may think, there is no proof that you are born gay, so we have to assume that you aren't. That makes this case very different from any in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s

Andrew Moeschberger

sophomore, School of Education

Resident supports American unions

Universities have a right to protect their public image and the reputations of their logos by choosing carefully the manufacturers of their T-shirts and mugs, but university officials are not advocates for enslaved workers of sweatshops. Indiana University may be a charter member of the Worker Rights Consortium, but that membership is about public image, not working conditions. This former IU employee is resigned to the fact that IU officials, both past and present, are unconcerned that office fumes left me in a life with chronic health problems.

The best advocate is a union, and American unions should globalize alongside American trade. Although some unions have an unfortunate history of corruption, which disenfranchises members, consider the teachers' union of Birmingham, Ala. Last year, the school superintendent received a 20 percent, $30,000 raise, which brought his annual salary to $181,000. Teachers received raises 1.5 percent or less; many classrooms lacked adequate supplies. The Alabama Education Association initiated a strike. After two days, the school board canceled the superintendent's raise and his contract extension.

Another employer pulled the same stunt on me. His salary distribution disenfranchised me and a few thousand committed employees. I can neither respect nor celebrate such leadership. Since Birmingham, I have wondered whether a union would have been able to help.

Thomas E. Kesler

West Lafayette resident

Purdue leaders shouldn't mix drinks

Just a couple of statements that I feel must be said. I will try to be as respectable as need be. With all the problems that college campuses are having with underage drinking, alcohol related accidents and overdoses, public intoxication and drunk driving; with all the thousands of families destroyed by alcoholics and by drunk driving "murders"; what the hell are the Purdue Student Government's president and vice president thinking by doing any kind of promotion that's related to alcohol? Just the mere fact that the quality of their characters did not guide them to think of these few reflections before deciding to be proud and joyous as they were having their pictures taken for the newspaper of them "mixing drinks" ought to be enough for people of conscience to ask for their recognition.

Also, as a side note, what kind of priority structure does the Purdue Exponent have by making the picture of the above two bozos as top news and cover page picture and putting a Purdue student hunger strike in support of ending sweatshop conditions as a bottom of the front page (have to turn Exponent over from distribution bin even to see it) article?

Kyle Anders

graduate student

Student agrees with view, not proof

This is a letter in response to Mr. Grindlife's column on April 5.

Although I applaud his standpoint on homosexuality, I have objections to arguments presented in his column.

First of all, his arguments on reasons for pork chops being forbidden in the Old Testament are far from convincing as he doesn't indicate the difference between them and lamb or beef, and I find it hard to believe that adultery is forbidden because of the STDs.

Also, I am yet to see a holy book in any religion that lists a code of behavior and adds a footnote saying "you may break these rules if you feel it won't harm." And even if we were to believe that is in the spirit of the Bible, we cannot expect that it was meant, "thou shall not kill, unless it won't harm". And if we can believe that some rules can't be broken, others may as well believe that the one about homosexuality can't be broken also. And even if we were to convince all the Christians on this matter, we are yet to convince followers of the other religions on Earth.

So, I believe that the arguments against oppression of homosexuality must not rely on proving that it is OK to be gay in any holy book but on emphasizing respect for other people's choice of being "sinners" in spite of how much we want to show that our religion and beliefs do not conflict.

Firat Celikler

graduate student

Local restaurants don't bother reader

Olivia Conroy is in the privileged position to speak her mind to all of us, and she uses it to gripe because the city's restaurants aren't up to her standards. I have enjoyed many columns on important and interesting issues in The Exponent ... this was not one of them (Exponent column April 13).

If the dorm food or McDonald's isn't to your liking, I suggest patronizing the nice ethnically-themed evenings RHIT hosts, or even hop into you car and check out the many fine local restaurants in Lafayette.

As for the poorer students, like myself, Ramen noodles equal Chinese food and Kraft Dinner equals Italian.

Mike Flaherty

junior, School of Technology

Purdue should sponsor pep rallies

As a Purdue student, I would like to touch base on the riots. First of all, as we all know, these riots were blown entirely out of proportion and both the students and police were in the wrong at some point. Secondly, Purdue wonders why we get out of control sometimes. Wisconsin, known for their obnoxious fans, had very minimal damage. They had a big pep rally organized before and publicized before the game for afterward in their football stadium and I believe 20,000 people, many of them students, showed up. Has the University ever thought of organizing something like that? Also, some colleges have "bonfire" pits where they already have a place for a bonfire to start and for the students to gather around so they won't have to do it in the streets. The University just can't expect hundreds of police to make the whole campus "calm." The students are going to be celebrating no matter what, and it's partly the University's fault to be so ignorant to these incidents. Police can't fix everything. Purdue is getting more conservative, but they can't expect students to go that way also. That's why we must have fun things organized, and it really doesn't take much.

Lannette Armstrong

sophomore, Schools of Engineering

Columnist shares tips for stress

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