Letters

Sorting fact from opinion

This is one of the worst articles I’ve ever read [“A city divided,” Oct. 18].

"The Christians want Jerusalem because they have always wanted the Holy Land." Um, no. Try because Christ was crucified and rose from the dead in Jerusalem.

 

"Nobody can really convert to Judaism – you are born Jewish, or you are not."

 

Again, not true. Anyone can convert to Judaism.

 

"The Jews did not like to integrate with other peoples. … When the Greeks met the Jews, the Jews told them, ‘No, our God is not your God. Our God belongs to us alone. Take your God and shove it.’ "

 

Hmm, maybe because the Jews are monotheistic and not polytheistic? Maybe because the First Commandment prohibits them from accepting the gods of pagan religions?

 

"Instead of keeping the barriers put in place by the United Nations after the Six-Day War, in 1967, Israel proceeded to grab as much land as possible over the last century."

 

A century is a hundred years, genius. It hasn’t even been 50 years since that war. This sentence sounds like Mein Kampf (Jews trying to take everything).

 

Could this article have been anymore insulting to people of faith? Terrible scholarship, too. Absolutely no research went into this. Horrible journalism. The little respect I had for your paper is now gone.

Eamon O’Brien, student

 

[Ed. Note: the column reference is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Vanguard editorial staff.]

 

Leave reggae critique to an enthusiast

I must say that I disagree with your comments regarding Damian "Junior Gong" Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock album, the follow up to the Grammy award-winning Halfway Tree [“Press Play, Oct. 20].

 

The lyrics are crafty and witty, and the rhythms are awesome. All the tracks are good, even the ones featuring Bobby Brown and Eek-A-Mouse. My prediction is that this album will be as equally successful as the Halfway Tree album.

 

Also I’m puzzled about your comment regarding Bob, and I quote, "Bob Marley is the one responsible for reggae’s bad rep." Such a comment highlights your limited knowledge of Jamaica, reggae and Bob. Bob Marley is the one responsible for bringing worldwide recognition to Jamaica and reggae, and the two go hand-in-hand. I think you need to issue and apology regarding your statement. In the future please leave the critiquing of reggae and Bob to someone who has a better knowledge of both.

Craig, student

 

Youthful indiscretion should not be a barrier

Thank you for raising awareness of the Higher Education Act’s denial of student loans to youth convicted of drug offenses [“Denied for drugs,” Oct. 12]. Instead of empowering at-risk students with a college degree, the HEA limits career opportunities and increases the likelihood that those affected will resort to crime. Speaking of crime, convicted rapists and murders are still eligible for federal student loans.

 

Most students outgrow their youthful indiscretions involving illicit drugs. An arrest and criminal record, on the other hand, can be life-shattering. After admitting to smoking pot (but not inhaling), former President Bill Clinton opened himself up to "soft on drugs" criticism. And thousands of Americans have paid the price in the form of shattered lives.

 

More people in the U.S. went to prison or jail during the Clinton administration than during any past administration.

 

As an admitted former drinker and alleged illicit drug user, President George W. Bush is also vulnerable when it comes to drugs. While youthful indiscretions didn’t stop Clinton or Bush from assuming leadership positions, an arrest surely would have. The short-term effects of marijuana are inconsequential compared to the long-term effects of criminal records.

 

Students who want to help reform harmful drug laws should contact Students for Sensible Drug Policy at www.ssdp.org.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy