Letters to the Editor
Posted on October 19, 2006

Women, don’t hate the players

Everyone on both sides of the gender aisle is familiar with “the ratio” at JMU and the implications it carries. But when it goes from being a punch line to a crutch, some kind of inferiority complex shared by the apparently objectified, disaffected and desperate women of this school, I must emit a chuckle. What’s more, when it’s used as a sociological explanation for actions of promiscuity, those of us, men and women alike, who consider ourselves “normal” (perhaps just a polite way to put “sexually deprived”) turn that chuckle into a raucous laugh.

What I find so humorous is the intimation that women are so desperate to seek the approval of any man, be he a real catch or the quarter-past-two dregs of a weekend kegger, that they will pander to his sexual will merely to feel a sense of companionship and not be beaten by their “competitors” to a potential booty call. But for the ladies of JMU who took the message that they are somehow disposable to heart, I have one famous riposte: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Have pride in who you are and act with the respect you deserve to be treated with, because I’d venture to guess that most guys who matter find that far sexier than how raunchily the “next girl” can shake it, regardless of what the statistics might say.

Omar Nasery, senior poli sci and history major

When editorials point fingers...

I would like to write in response to Thursday’s House Editorial, “Bombs over Pyongyang.” Yet again, this is shallow journalism with a minute amount of research and thought put into this particular opinion. While I never will argue with the right to free speech or with the right of dissent with our government, it is always imperative that your opinion is based on adequate research and factual information. Just because you do not agree with the current administration’s policies, make sure in the future that what is published is not shady propaganda at best, even though you state they are “0-for-3.”

The policy of the Bush administration for North Korea is no different than many other presidential administrations’ policies. North Korea is an isolated, failed government. Throughout modern history, North Korea rattles its sabers whenever it needs help from the international community to feed its population. It threatens, backs down and then receives aid. Furthermore, if you would like to place blame on why North Korea has the funding to pursue nuclear weapons, it had a lot to do with our policy toward North Korea in the 1990s. The Clinton administration provided the knowledge and the funding for this happen, so let us be careful before a rush to judgment is made.

Being in the military, and serving two tours in the Middle East, I must emphasize what you read and see in the news may not be an accurate account of what is going on. Capitulating to terrorism obviously did not work; again this was the previous administration’s policy. Before criticizing the administration’s policies on North Korea, let us focus on why we are at this juncture now. It is because of the failed foreign policy toward North Korea before the current administration ever came into power. I think that makes The Breeze 0-for-1.

Christopher Motsek, JMU alumnus, class of 2000

When racism is the issue

Mr. Riedel repeated the “James Webb-night-riding-through-Watts” story. Let’s set the record straight.

First, Webb’s accuser was deliberately sought out by the Allen campaign. The story soon fell apart. No trace of it is on the interview tape or transcript. Webb’s college roommate ridiculed the charges.

Mr. Riedel also apparently believes when novel characters use the “n-word,” the novelist is a racist.  Does he also believe mystery novelists promote murder?

Mr. Riedel claims Webb “portrayed Democratic primary opponent Harris Miller as a large-nosed Jew.” Those pamphlets were made without Webb’s knowledge and were repudiated and withdrawn. Mr. Miller is on record stating Webb is not anti-Semitic.

Mr. Riedel says he would like to know what Webb stands for. Go to Webb’s Web site. Attend a rally. Watch his speeches on YouTube. Then talk about the issues.

Mr. Riedel’s opinion follows closely the Allen campaign’s Rovian philosophy of always trashing your opponent. Allen says he wants to talk about issues, but instead runs scurrilous attack ads.

No one ruined Sen. Allen’s reputation, Mr. Riedel. He did that to himself. 

Carla F. Ward, Arlington, Va.