Letters to the editor

Steroid hearings correct

Travis Clark’s March 21 column demonstrates some common misunderstandings about the Congressional hearings regarding steroids in major league baseball.

First, the government gave baseball an anti-trust exemption which allowed it to become a major business enterprise. Baseball’s weak policies enabled the illegal use of steroids to flourish in violation of not only the principles of fair play, but also federal law. This is not lost on the House Committee for Government Reform, which is why they — not baseball’s powers that be, who fought the action — moved to hold the steroid hearings.

Regardless of Congress’s legitimate authority over baseball, many people argue that their tax dollars and the time of their elected representatives would be better spent on something else — like bringing back our soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan, preferably in a manner that appeases liberals and conservatives alike. However, these are not mutually exclusive goals.

In fact, working in accord on an issue that lends itself to consensus might be one of the best steps Congress can take toward unifying a nation fractured along party lines. Sports have always been a place where political and ideological differences can be abandoned in favor of healthy competition on an even playing field. If Congress finds that spirit in the process of restoring it to baseball, then we might all be better off for the distraction.

John Goshorn
senior, SMAD

House editorial misses real reasons

I write today to express my vehement disagreement with the house editorial’s opinion on the snubbing of Shinn Fein on last week on St. Patrick’s Day. Shinn Fein — the political wing of the IRA — was not invited to meet with the administration last week due to the IRA’s handling of the murder of Robert McCartney and their connection with a Christmas bank robbery in Northern Ireland (NI). The house editorial believes that this move will make the peace process in NI take a "step backward," because their leaders will not be in Washington to push for peace. On the contrary, Washington’s decision was right, because at this stage, Shinn Fein must be publicly affronted for effectively derailing the peace process that was so close to being resolved last fall — until their refusal to decommission the last weapons of the IRA and their clear involvement, according to both the Irish and the British government, the bank robbery. Furthermore, the house editorial’s stance that the invitation of McCartney’s family members to the White House instead of Gerry Adams, leader of Shinn Fein and reported leader of the IRA, is a sign to NI that they are not seriously interested in reaching peace is especially ignorant. McCartney’s sisters have led in the weeks following the murders a new wave of anti-violence and anti-sectarian hate in their public pressure on the Irish Republican leadership to cooperate in the murder investigation. This "new wave" has manifested itself in Catholic Republican calls for the IRA to decommission and disband, thus removing the last road block to peace. Thus, the White House invitation to the McCartney sisters sends a clear and critical message to the Shinn Fein and the IRA to shape up or get out because the people want peace, and your actions are currently impeding it.

Colin Reynolds
sophomore, international affairs

Schiavo case about the value of life

I want to thank Matt Curtin in his letter "Schiavo case not about utilitarianism" in the March 3 edition for mentioning the medical terminology which has caused Terri Schiavo’s condition to be questioned. There is confusion over her physical state. Terri Schiavo would readily be diagnosed by medical personnel as being in a minimally conscious state. This is very different than a persistent vegetative state. Unfortunately, attempts to have a new diagnosis have been denied due to the desire for an end to this ordeal. Michael Schiavo and many others have chosen to overlook her numerous vital signs when speaking of death with dignity, as mentioned by Patrick Egan in his letter "Keeping Schiavo alive not the best option" in the March 3 issue. In reality, Schiavo’s death would be painful and could take up to 14 days, while her body fights to remain alive, in much the same way as yours and mine would. I agree that decisions such as these are the responsibility of legal guardians and are sobering for those who make them. I still contend, however, that Michael Schiavo’s decision to end his wife’s life bares far less concern for her than for the convenience of the situation. It would seem to me that someone with a grave concern for his wife’s sake would never choose to subject her to a slow and painful death. Rather, true appreciation would err on the side of preserving life. Again, the fundamental idea is that life, in itself, is not enough. Conditional life, or equality of life, as Patrick Egan noted, is a dangerous concept for our society to swallow. I, for one, oppose it.

Stephanie Naus
junior, political science

Number of protestors significant

As an alumnus and frequent reader of "The Breeze Online", I have a comment about the story appearing in the March 21 issue by Megan Neal. My question is why did you not note the number of attendees at the protest? Was it large or small? My concern is that if the number had been in the hundreds or thousands, then that number would have been listed, but if the event was sparsely attended, then you would show bias by selectively leaving the attendance out of the story. I am also a veteran and these stories are of interest to me. As opposition to the operation in Iraq grows or wanes, I like to be kept aware and your paper has a finger on the pulse of my alma mater. Please keep up the good work, but report all of the facts in the future. Thanks.

Glen Brizendine
Alumnus (‘88)