Letters

World wide wiles

Comment and correction on political advertising, and congratulations to Nathan Hellman on a nicely written piece on the growing importance of the Internet in U.S. politics and elections [“New era of marketing politics,” March 7]. The Web, far more than corporate-controlled television and radio, is attracting young people into political debate and participation in ever-increasing numbers. I would only correct in Hellman’s piece one item for which I was cited. Political advertising is not one-third of the television industry’s income but rather the third-largest source of its revenues (behind retail trade and automobile advertising) during the presidential campaign season.

Gerry Sussman ProfessorUrban Studies and Communication

Iraq Body Count refreshing

I found the Iraqi Body Count Exhibit refreshing and I’m very proud of the student group Students for Unity for putting on the event. Other people have pointed out the fact that each white flag symbolizes the death of five or six Iraqis and that each red flag symbolizes one fallen American solider. I can speculate two good reasons why this was done: For practical reasons, if they didn’t do that, five times more white flags would have been needed to be put out and they probably didn’t have the time or enough volunteers to put that many flags out. Plus, it was labeled clearly what each flag symbolized. Another thing, let’s face it: Many Americans don’t care about the Iraqi people and even hate them for “making America get involved.” I heard several people look at the exhibit and say “So what?” or “Who fucking cares?” as they read the signs, looked at all the flags and walked by. It was disgusting. By grouping the flags together, the notion that Iraqis are worth less than Americans is entertained. However, even if five Iraqi deaths is equal to one American death, the number of Iraqi deaths is still overrepresented. Even if 10 Iraqi deaths was equal to one American death or even 20, there would still be an overrepresentation of Iraqi deaths relative to their “worth.” It made some people think twice. Seeing that even at a five-to-one ratio in the Park Blocks, you can’t deny that the Iraqi people are being killed at a very high number relative to American soldiers regardless of their alleged “worth.” The exhibit, overall, illustrates that the war in Iraq was declared on very uneven terms. This is not something our Marines who work very hard to defend our nation should or can be blamed for; it’s not their fault. I have much respect for them and so should we all.As Americans, we need to think very hard about who we want for president in this upcoming election. Do we want a callous tyrant or one who is patient and respects the art of diplomacy? Will the candidates “show their true colors” before it’s too late? It’s something we need to ask ourselves, ladies and gentlemen.[Editor’s note: According to the Iraq Body Count Exhibit, one white flag represents at least five Iraqis and one red flag represents five U.S. soldiers killed in the war.]

Omar N’Gadi

Homeless can spend panhandled money how they want

I find your opinion piece disturbing [“‘Sidewalk nuisances,'” March 7]. This is exactly the type of attitude that paints Portland and PSU as progressive, as we pretend to care and hide behind our privilege. Every day you have the option of spending your dollar how you see fit. I’m sure like most people you buy a coffee or perhaps cigarettes, a sub sandwich, or how about a $300 textbook. How dare any of us take away the only choice a homeless person has, which is to spend the dollar they used all day asking for. Have you sat next to a homeless person for even an hour? I have for over six, and witnessed horrible human behavior. These people get the snobby looks of citizens who turn to judgment rather than understanding. Though I support your plea to fund critical problems, I ask you to dig deeper in your theories. So next time you buy a coffee, a smoke, and sit in your fancy college office, I might be on the street giving out a buck to some poor dope who has limited access to health care so he can get a beer to drink his worries away.

Courtney MorsePanhandling un-defendable

I get really tired of people defending the “homeless” lifestyle. There are the mentally ill that really are relegated to the streets and who really need help. There are people that are there because of a sudden unexpected hardship. Then there are those that make the continual choice to be on the street. People who are not going hungry, people that are not even homeless, they just want your money and that is fine. If you are stupid enough to give it to them and it gives your heart a ray of sunshine then great do it for yourself but stop pretending that you are doing these folks a service.If you really want to help volunteer, contribute to an organization that offers true help and doesn’t promote panhandling. It is embarrassing to everyone involved and makes our city blocks uncomfortable to walk down.

Anonymous

Exhibit hurts lawn

I don’t get it. Is that the best way you guys could do? Why can’t you hang the flags at the bulletins at all buildings at PSU? Or maybe put them in each department where everyone can still see them and not on the grass. Why do you must hurt the grass by putting thousands of flags on them to get your expression/voice heard or healed? What did the grass do to people who died in Iraq? They’ve done nothing to cause it to happen. Yet, you guys have become the ones to harm the grass by putting flags on their bodies that are painful to them.

Anonymous