Letters to the editor
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: Opinion
Tobacco-free policy is 'unacceptable'
In reference to the university's tobacco-free campus policy: its "voluntary enforcement" is vague and confusing on purpose.
This policy is merely a politically correct ploy to make our campus seem as progressive as possible.
Unfortunately, there are parts of this policy that the general student body is probably unaware of. University employees, staff and affiliates can be disciplined and fired for violating this policy.
If the same disciplinary measures were applicable to students and fines or other measures were taken, there is no way the student body would allow the policy to stand.
To be perfectly clear, I am not a smoker; in fact, I am allergic to cigarettes and hate being around them.
This policy, which most students regard as a joke, is costing long-time university employees their jobs. Worse is the fact that the student body and staff of the UA are being treated as children not responsible enough to make their own decisions.
Smoking is bad, but taking away the personal rights of the students and faculty that keep the university running is far worse. Encouraging a healthy campus is a good thing, as is encouraging people to give up cigarettes, but punishing those who have decided, as adults, to use tobacco products by disciplinary measures up to and including termination is unacceptable.
Kendra Sager
Senior
Environmental, Soil and Water Science
Where there's smoke, there's infringement
I will repeat for the benefit of Amanda Young. The university is a public institution. As such, it is an imperative that we not allow an infringement of liberty.
Now at first glance, that would seem to be an argument for smoking. It is not. The two issues are personal choice butting up against personal necessity, smoking and breathing.
I did not develop my love for breathing through building up an unneeded dependency on it. I have actually been addicted to breathing from birth. I remember from last semester someone saying that the smoke outside wasn't that bad (he added that he wasn't even a smoker himself.) What he also was clearly not to an appreciable extent: an asthmatic.
It is public property. The public owns it. We make changes for people in wheelchairs because they also own it. I feel confident that the persons in those chairs did not choose to be there.
I believe at most there is one person whose family was kidnapped and only returned at the cost of that person getting addicted to nicotine. I would grant special dispensation to anyone in that situation.
For everyone else, tough luck. Personal freedom of choice must invariably stop at the line of personal necessity.
P.S. Chew the gum. I don't know how much it costs, but if you can handle the nose bleed of cigarette prices, you can take the hit. Stories of addictions do not impress.
Jeremy Carrell
Maintenance Worker II
Recycling
Worried by Democrats, Palin
OK. I must admit that when I first heard McCain had picked Palin as his vice president, I chuckled and sighed with my hand upon my thigh.
I knew the so-called "maverick" would eventually reveal to the semi-aware American voters (the very persons this election so heavily relies upon) just how irrational and unfit an executive he would make as leader of the free world.
In fact, I felt relieved. I felt as if Obama and Biden could now focus on the issues and obvious shortcomings of McCain and the philosophies of a party so hypocritical as to boast their commitment to thrift at the federal level, while simultaneously blundering an expensive war and virtually ignoring our recession by adhering to a financial plan that only benefits the privileged.
Yes, the same party and candidate that refuses to mention our national deficit and explain how more tax cuts for the wealthy will address it.
Now I feel I giggled prematurely.
Palin came out swinging on Obama and Biden. She even mustered the gall to hit him on experience, claiming that "community organizers" hold no candle to mayors of small towns.
Yes, people. This vice president with the frailest resumé imaginable introduces herself to the world as a Republican puppet voicing the ideas of speech writers within the very circle she claims to not want any part of.
After that speech I must admit that I am worried. If this tomfoolery manages to resonate with voters … ah, I shudder to envision the consequences.
The country I love and the world I inhabit will be subjected to the hegemonic (for now) influence of the "maverick and barracuda."
For the love of God and the world, my fellow citizens, please vote the issues and the changes that will save us. Vote Obama/Biden.
Jeffery Kearney
Admissions Counselor
Office of Admissions
In reference to the university's tobacco-free campus policy: its "voluntary enforcement" is vague and confusing on purpose.
This policy is merely a politically correct ploy to make our campus seem as progressive as possible.
Unfortunately, there are parts of this policy that the general student body is probably unaware of. University employees, staff and affiliates can be disciplined and fired for violating this policy.
If the same disciplinary measures were applicable to students and fines or other measures were taken, there is no way the student body would allow the policy to stand.
To be perfectly clear, I am not a smoker; in fact, I am allergic to cigarettes and hate being around them.
This policy, which most students regard as a joke, is costing long-time university employees their jobs. Worse is the fact that the student body and staff of the UA are being treated as children not responsible enough to make their own decisions.
Smoking is bad, but taking away the personal rights of the students and faculty that keep the university running is far worse. Encouraging a healthy campus is a good thing, as is encouraging people to give up cigarettes, but punishing those who have decided, as adults, to use tobacco products by disciplinary measures up to and including termination is unacceptable.
Kendra Sager
Senior
Environmental, Soil and Water Science
Where there's smoke, there's infringement
I will repeat for the benefit of Amanda Young. The university is a public institution. As such, it is an imperative that we not allow an infringement of liberty.
Now at first glance, that would seem to be an argument for smoking. It is not. The two issues are personal choice butting up against personal necessity, smoking and breathing.
I did not develop my love for breathing through building up an unneeded dependency on it. I have actually been addicted to breathing from birth. I remember from last semester someone saying that the smoke outside wasn't that bad (he added that he wasn't even a smoker himself.) What he also was clearly not to an appreciable extent: an asthmatic.
It is public property. The public owns it. We make changes for people in wheelchairs because they also own it. I feel confident that the persons in those chairs did not choose to be there.
I believe at most there is one person whose family was kidnapped and only returned at the cost of that person getting addicted to nicotine. I would grant special dispensation to anyone in that situation.
For everyone else, tough luck. Personal freedom of choice must invariably stop at the line of personal necessity.
P.S. Chew the gum. I don't know how much it costs, but if you can handle the nose bleed of cigarette prices, you can take the hit. Stories of addictions do not impress.
Jeremy Carrell
Maintenance Worker II
Recycling
Worried by Democrats, Palin
OK. I must admit that when I first heard McCain had picked Palin as his vice president, I chuckled and sighed with my hand upon my thigh.
I knew the so-called "maverick" would eventually reveal to the semi-aware American voters (the very persons this election so heavily relies upon) just how irrational and unfit an executive he would make as leader of the free world.
In fact, I felt relieved. I felt as if Obama and Biden could now focus on the issues and obvious shortcomings of McCain and the philosophies of a party so hypocritical as to boast their commitment to thrift at the federal level, while simultaneously blundering an expensive war and virtually ignoring our recession by adhering to a financial plan that only benefits the privileged.
Yes, the same party and candidate that refuses to mention our national deficit and explain how more tax cuts for the wealthy will address it.
Now I feel I giggled prematurely.
Palin came out swinging on Obama and Biden. She even mustered the gall to hit him on experience, claiming that "community organizers" hold no candle to mayors of small towns.
Yes, people. This vice president with the frailest resumé imaginable introduces herself to the world as a Republican puppet voicing the ideas of speech writers within the very circle she claims to not want any part of.
After that speech I must admit that I am worried. If this tomfoolery manages to resonate with voters … ah, I shudder to envision the consequences.
The country I love and the world I inhabit will be subjected to the hegemonic (for now) influence of the "maverick and barracuda."
For the love of God and the world, my fellow citizens, please vote the issues and the changes that will save us. Vote Obama/Biden.
Jeffery Kearney
Admissions Counselor
Office of Admissions
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 3
Concerned Student
posted 9/04/08 @ 9:13 PM CST
Palin is a wonderful choice and just jumpstarted McCain's campaign. She impressed many the other night, perhaps the most telling sign is how every left-winger is trying to cut her down in any possible way, because they know she is a threat to them. (Continued…)
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