Student thanks memorial supporters

On behalf of Students for Life, I would like to thank those who made possible the Cemetery of the Innocents and all who showed their support. The memorial offered an opportunity to reflect on the reality that 4,000 innocent lives are violently taken each day in this country. It was a chance to find hope and healing for those directly affected by abortion. We wanted to give women information about a loving and safe place they could turn to in a time of crisis — safe for both her and the child in her womb.

I don't understand why Betty Memmer of Planned Parenthood thinks that a group of dedicated students peacefully offering information about fetal development, a crisis pregnancy center, etc. is intimidating.

It is obvious that we live in a culture of death. As Purdue students gathered on the mall last Wednesday to remember all the babies murdered in the womb, hundreds of citizens gathered in Oklahoma City to grieve for the 168 people killed by another form of violence five years ago. Perhaps the statement engraved on the entrance gate of the Oklahoma City National Memorial also applies to the Cemetery of the Innocents: "We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity."

Teresa Zakaria
sophomore, Schools of Engineering

Christians do not deserve all credit

I was shocked by the claim made by Kristy Scott in her letter published on Friday that says: "Christianity formed much of the impetus that drives modern science."

True, many great scientists are Christian. But it sounds like she believes that much of the credit of advance in modern science is due to Christianity. I feel obliged to point out that she forgets about many great scientists and engineers of other religious beliefs or without religious belief who have contributed tremendously to the advance of modern science and technology, such as Albert Einstein and Chen, Jingrun. She also failed to point out that Christian institutions could sometimes deter the advancement of modern science. For example, Galileo's work was not formally recognized by the Roman Catholic Church until 1993, and he himself suffered lifelong imprisonment.

I am also surprised and disappointed that such arrogant and ignorant words can come from a Purdue science senior and a person who demonstrated very good knowledge of the Bible.

Bin Yao
graduate student

Columnist should research topic

I am so sorry, Olivia Conroy, that you had to "stoop" to donate plasma, a life-saving gift. If it was such a degrading way to earn money, why don't you redeem your conscience and donate the money to a charity? Personally, I don't have the privilege of daddy paying for my college education, so I have to whip up ten grand every year. Loans only cover so much so last semester in my so-called "desperation," I donated my eggs. I did not have a moral objection with it and actually plan on doing it again. Either I home school my engineering degree or I donate my eggs. Also, if you had researched your topic a little more, you would've learned that parents sometimes choose a donor based on looks and background so the child can be somewhat similar to them. Also, what is wrong with parents what want their children to be smart and beautiful? I want that. And what's your problem with technology? When you get pregnant, do you plan on taking pain pills or getting an ultrasound because that's technology right there. I personally feel that in order to be an opinion's writer, it would be beneficial if you personally experienced the topic or thoroughly researched it. Your "opinions" are superficial, and I felt it was an insult to any reader's intelligence.

Danielle Petrano
junior, Schools of Engineering

Senior reflects on things learned

As I approach graduation in May, I cannot help but reflect on all of the things I have learned at Purdue. That is, the things I have learned outside of the classrooms.

1. This campus is the worst place to have a bicycle. Pedestrians are too slow and travel in herds. Automobiles are driven by those who seldom yield the right of way to pedestrians or cyclists.

2. Parking here sucks.

3. Fountain runs are a nice way to take time out, cool off or spend time with that special someone.

4. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Every year, the "Letters to the Editor" page(s) in the Exponent runs pro-gay vs. anti-gay letters, pro-Greek vs. anti-Greek letters and pro-Christianity vs. anti-Christianity letters. They're the same messages and beliefs, but the believer and messenger always change year after year.

5. In regards to the visiting preachers who berate and judge people, ignore them.

6. After doing without and living on rather substandard food, dorm food is gourmet cuisine.

7. It is nigh impossible to have access to a PC after midnight on Friday or Saturday because all of the hardcore gamers are using them.

8. Caffeine is your friend.

So to all who read this, remember my words and remember all you have learned. There will be a quiz on this.

Dan Huston
senior, School of Liberal Arts

Concert brings out lame students

I would like to thank the Smashing Pumpkins for playing an incredible show. I have seen the Pumpkins live several times over the years but the Purdue show was easily the best. Jimmy's drums were incredible, and the set list was a perfect mix. I would also like to thank Carly Maitlen for a very accurate review of the concert Purdue is great educational value. But if you had to rank schools based upon a music scene or music appreciation, I think Purdue would be near the bottom. I hesitated to attend the show because I knew the student body would be incredibly lame. A perfect example was the preppy couple in front of me. The guy had his arms around the girl and neither moved the whole show. Maybe he thought he was protecting her from the mosh pit due to erupt at any moment, but he probably just thought that was what he was supposed to do. The Purdue student body is way too self-conscious to cut loose and have some fun. The same thing happens when I drink at Harry's Chocolate Shop. Everyone is more concerned about how they look when they could just have a good time. I would have rather sat by 30-year-old men from Lafayette with "mullet" hair cuts than most of the Purdue students. I guarantee the "short longs" appreciated the show more than the Abercrombie & Fitch crowd and know how to rock out. I'm not surprised the students were more fired up for Third Eye Blind, who is just another tiresome alternative cookie cutter band and stood motionless for one of the more innovative bands of the '90s. Please stop caring what everyone thinks, Purdue, and you will be amazed at the great time you can have.

Terry Tope
graduate student

Offer ideas to improve situations

I am not writing this letter to say an organization on campus is great. I am not writing this letter to say an organization on campus is terrible. I am writing this letter to say that students at Purdue are given many opportunities to make important choices when they decide to attend this University.

Some of these choices are what they will study, where they will live, what they will or will not be involved in. All of these decisions make up a Purdue student. I think it is important that students at Purdue stop and remember that we all made the choice to go to this University knowing that some students will be active, some students won't; some students will live in sororities or fraternities, some students won't; some students will live in cooperatives and residence halls, some students won't; and some students will live off campus, and some students won’t. No matter where a Purdue student places his or her efforts on this campus, all of us are just that, a Purdue student. Attacking people on the choices they make, as a fellow Purdue student, is a waste of everyone’s time. Placing blame for the actions of a large organization such as PSG on the simple choice of where people involved in that organization live, is a petty and weak argument. The best way to make a situation better is to offer ideas and get involved with the organization positively. Negativity as they say can be contagious. I commend Purdue students on the choices they have made. I hope that in the future the University will continue to provide Purdue students with a wide range of college life choices. Hopefully, in the future people will begin to look past the small choices Purdue students make and begin to see the bigger picture.

Nicole Visnyak
senior, School of Liberal Arts

Columnist should research topic

I am so sorry, Olivia Conroy, that you had to "stoop" to donate plasma, a life-saving gift. If it was such a degrading way to earn money, why don't you redeem your conscience and donate the money to a charity? Personally, I don't have the privilege of daddy paying for my college education, so I have to whip up ten grand every year. Loans only cover so much so last semester in my so-called "desperation," I donated my eggs. I did not have a moral objection with it and actually plan on doing it again. Either I home school my engineering degree or I donate my eggs. Also, if you had researched your topic a little more, you would've learned that parents sometimes choose a donor based on looks and background so the child can be somewhat similar to them. Also, what is wrong with parents what want their children to be smart and beautiful? I want that. And what's your problem with technology? When you get pregnant, do you plan on taking pain pills or getting an ultrasound because that's technology right there. I personally feel that in order to be an opinion's writer, it would be beneficial if you personally experienced the topic or thoroughly researched it. Your "opinions" are superficial, and I felt it was an insult to any reader's intelligence.

Danielle Petrano
junior, Schools of Engineering

Area restaurants have diversity

This letter is in regards to Olivia Conroy's column on local restaurants and diversity; I just wish we were all as well raised and perfect as you, Olivia. FORCED to eat Hamburger Helper and Sloppy Joes? They were welcome staples at my house. Many people were raised on this food. I think that I'm still just as healthy as the next guy. You must have had a butler that brought you your no-fat, no-meat, gourmet meals and a personal trainer to keep your weight down.

As far as your complaint of no diversity in Lafayette goes, if you don't like the town, get out. Here is a wacky idea for you, cook your own food like normal students or settle for dorm food. Oh the humanity. Like most of my fellow students, I don't see a problem with the restaurants in Lafayette. It is always a great treat for me to eat out. The possibilities of restaurants seems endless to me. I have been here for three years and tried everything from Indian, Chinese, Greek, Mexican, good ol' down home cooking, Mad Mushroom cheese stix and Harry's catfish fingers. There is plenty of diversity here. Hell, go to King Buffet — now that is diversity.

Oh yeah, you are right, we don't have the diversity of Chicago, Philadelphia, or D.C. But last time I checked, Lafayette was only a fraction of the size of these cities. Hmmm, it is a hard concept to understand, huh? Obviously your social upbringing has raised you a level above us poor country students. We're not worthy.

Matt Peter
junior, School of Agriculture

Ron Nagle
junior, Schools of Engineering

Misconceptions lead to violence

James May, thank you for your April 17 Exponent letter on providing this campus with a timely example of why we should all take IDIS 490B, "Hate and Violence." You show that any well-intentioned person can spread the misconceptions that are the root causes of hate that leads to violence. For instance, you imply that homosexuals are responsible for the violence enacted upon them. It’s easy to blame the victim when a crime is not so unimaginable. Why do you think it is so difficult to convict rapists? Perhaps because the male majority finds it easier to accept that it is the woman's fault, rather than examine the possibility that rape is a crime that could be easily be enacted by any normal man. The rapist is often not a raving psychopath. What's troubling is that it is the action of the boy next door. Blaming the victim will only cause hate crimes to be more acceptable. This is the true cause in the rise of hate crime violence.

And about your many misunderstandings about the nature of homosexuality — it is clear that you are not gay. I can tell you, from experience, that I made no choice about whom I am attracted to. The only choice I made was to accept the APA conclusion that same-sex attraction is not a disorder, (which had nothing to do with genetic research) and therefore accept myself. I wouldn't expect you to understand, but I "came out" neither because I "chose" to be a persecuted minority nor because it was "vogue." I did so because for me to pretend to be straight, and lie to people, is inherently immoral. And could you please explain what a "homosexual lifestyle" is? The term is often used but as a gay man, I still don't know what it means.

Corey Linkel
graduate student

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