Letters to the editor

Diversity more than race

According to the article “Diversity Promoted through Scholarships,” in the Jan. 18 edition, JMU plans to increase the diversity of students by increasing the number of scholarships given to minority students. I agree that diversity influences education, but there is more to people than their race. Dr. Wubah said these scholarships “would open our eyes to people of different race, religion, sexual preference and socioeconomic status.” My concern comes from the money being spent and the basics of diversity.

The money spent comes from taxpayers and students. Once again, tuition is increasing. This spending is correlated to our tuition. If the cost is seen as vital by the student population, then it should be instituted, but why should the money be spent to increase diversity? What is diversity, anyway?

Seriously dissecting the word, I find it to be a collective term that refers to most of which Dr. Wubah touched on. Yet, diversity simplifies a student to the color of their skin, which they were born with and cannot change. I have been taught that an individual is educated by qualities observed and taught, not because of the qualities you cannot change. Individual choices make a person.

I propose we seriously look at the way we approach diversity and scholarship. I think these scholarships, if spent, should go toward students around Virginia who cannot afford the tuition of JMU. In this way, we are looking at the socioeconomic status of the applicant, not their race.

Jarrett Ray
freshman, pre-political science

Laws enforced for common good

In Katie Austen’s Jan. 20 column, she writes that she cannot understand “how someone could devote his or her life to making someone else’s life miserable.” Policemen in no way do this. Yes, they get on college students’ nerves when we get a speeding ticket or get in trouble for underage drinking. No matter how much we — myself included, sometimes — disagree with some of these rules, it is for the common good. Austen says that “if there were no speed limits, people wouldn’t be as apt to speed.” Are you kidding me? Have you ever heard of the Autobahn? You think if you take away speed limits, everyone will suddenly drive safer and slower? The most mind-boggling thing Austen says is that, “The whole justice system is generally unnecessary.” Right. Unnecessary. Austen also says, “Life is pretty much about breaking rules and how much we can get away with. Rules are meant to be broken.” I don’t know what kind of life Austen is living, but I, and I’m sure a lot of other people, don’t think life is about breaking rules.
Rules are set in place for one primary reason: to ensure the safety of a country’s citizens, whether it be physical safety or civic and emotional safety. Behind these laws — making sure people obey them — are policemen. I hope Austen will realize that policemen are here to serve and protect us, not to make us miserable.

Scott Slaybaugh
sophomore, accounting

Column ‘slap in face’ to officers

Shame on Katie Austen’s disrespectful police-bashing in her column on Jan. 20. Her column had no point other than to complain about how she doesn’t like obeying the law and hates the people who enforce it. It’s a slap in the face to officers who risk their lives to make our lives safer. We’re sorry that you find the law infringes on your ability to have a good time.

Maybe where you grew up the only place you encountered drugs was in D.A.R.E., but many kids come across drugs in a more appealing way, and without D.A.R.E. wouldn’t know the extreme consequences of not saying no.
We all know people who have been arrested for underage drinking or have gotten driving tickets — we also know people who have lost their lives to reckless drivers and friends who have been hospitalized for irresponsible drinking.

Maybe you are one of the few lucky people who haven’t had to deal with this, but for those of us who have, we know why these “petty” laws are in place.

Sure, there is room for debate with the drinking age, but whining about those who enforce the law is not the way to bring about change.

In 2004, 154 officers lost their lives in the line of duty. I guess they could have been doing something better with their time, instead of “going to the dark side.”

Allison Womack
sophomore, history
Erin Goga
sophomore, ISS/political science

Breeze should focus on Greek life

I believe I speak for all Greeks in recruitment when I suggest that The Breeze needs to start focusing more on the JMU community. Last Thursday’s article “Fraternities begin spring rush” is not only noticeably modest, but it is arrogantly sandwiched between a half page of ads and an unnecessarily orange food chart.

Your apathetic efforts are hardly going to help our chapters grow, and I shame your efforts to highlight the contributions of fraternities and sororities at JMU. As James Madison matures through athletic accomplishment, increased enrollment and school spirit, it is important to acknowledge the vital role the Greek system plays in the character of our campus. Through philanthropic and social endeavors fraternities and sororities provide JMU with great public relations, both locally and nationally.

Maybe our 11 percent of the total student population isn’t enough for The Breeze to consider giving Greek activity serious attention, but I will guarantee students at this school care more about JMU news than the new federal dietary guidelines for 2005. I encourage The Breeze to reconsider the lack of investment they have put into Greek organizations. Social or academic, fraternities and sororities at James Madison deserve more credit than they have ever been given by our school paper.

Kevin Smallwood
freshman, English
Kappa Alpha Order

Draft not needed to appreciate freedom

I was bewildered by the fact that Mark Knapf, who believes so adamantly in a draft for all 18-year-olds, isn’t in the armed services himself. Instead of waiting for a draft to be held, he should get up and sign up now to serve. He speaks of teenagers not knowing the realities of the world, but wasn’t that the point?

Wasn’t that why all those who fought for our freedoms in the wars before, the reason why we are so fortunate to not have to experience what our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers had to?

I commend all those who are fighting for us now for all that they do because they let us have that opportunity to go to school and have careers.

We are so privileged to not live in famine, in constant fear, or a life without choices. What life is it where we have to really know and/or experience the realities that underdeveloped counties have to go through day in and day out? I certainly would rather be more worried about the next guy that gets kicked off of “The Bachelorette” than have to worry about whether or not I will live to see the next day.

To truly appreciate life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we need only look at, appreciate and respect the men and women of the past, present and future who fight selflessly for our liberties, choices and our lives.

Christine Mui
sophomore, accounting/finance

Forced service not ‘enlightening’

Mark Knapf’s column in the Jan. 20 edition is a blaring example of the chest-thumping, primitive patriotism seen far too often in America nowadays. Claiming that a universal draft would “enlighten” America’s youth by forcing them to see the importance of “liberty,” Knapf forgets that one essential liberty is not having to risk your life or take other lives for something you don’t believe in.

Graham Moomaw
sophomore, pre-SMAD