Letters to the editor
Posted on September 10, 2007

The other side of Eickel

Last Thursday The Breeze ran a front-page story on current Student Body President Brandon Eickel’s campaign platform.

Yes, it is true that perhaps Eickel made a lapse in judgment not clarifying the copyright on his Web site as well as borrowing ideas and molding them to fit his campaign without full citation. I must say that while the ideas for the platform were borrowed from William and Mary, these key issues should not only pertain to a single college, but rather nation-wide to better life and education on all campuses for all students.

I personally do not understand why someone would second-guess a person’s commitment to the betterment of James Madison University when Eickel has been so dedicated to JMU from the day he set foot on campus as a freshman. Anyone who knows Eickel through the multitude of clubs and organizations he has participated while attending this university will know that his true colors are purple and gold. 

Emily Caligiuri
senior, international affairs

Vick editorial provokes questions

I have a few problems with last Monday’s house editorial, titled “Viciousness of the Vick Investigation.” First, to compare cattle farmers and hunters to dogfighters is like comparing apples and oranges.

The conditions of dog fighting are intolerable; the trainers want to make these dogs callous and ferocious, and they do. A cow in a feedlot, on the other hand, just stands around and eats corn for its whole life until it is sent to the slaughterhouse for a quick death. A deer hunted in the woods is shot and then  suffers for a few minutes. Cows and hunted animals are also  used for meat; whereas a fighting dog endures a lifetime of pain, and in the end dies with no meat to sacrifice.

Also, the article asked why Michael Vick should be scrutinized. Vick and other athletes are idolized by many. I wouldn’t want my kids to have a role model like Vick, who lacks so much character. If you think Vick doesn’t deserve this scrutiny, then what did those dogs deserve?

Billy Polansky
senior, geographic science