Letters to the Editor for Saturday, July 23, 2005

European and Mideast editions

(EDITOR’S NOTE: These are the letters that appeared in each edition of Stripes on this publication date. Click here to jump ahead to the Pacific edition letters)

Photo placement in poor taste

Every day I read the letters to the editor and after reading the ones printed July 11 pertaining to the cheerleaders, I have to respond.

As to the pictures being too much like Abu Ghraib, get over it. If having a beautiful girl put her foot on my back while I do physical training is torture, sign me up.

As to the writer who said if that if her husband was the one in the picture it would not raise her morale. The cheerleaders were not visiting the soldiers in Iraq to raise the morale of the families sitting at home. They were here for the soldiers serving in an austere location with few of the comforts of home.

If it was her husband in the photo and it upsets her, then that is an issue for her family. It is not right to deny others the privilege of seeing the cheerleaders just because a spouse doesn’t like what the servicemember has access to. Maybe I should not be allowed to go on the road since my wife worries about dangers I face outside the wire.

I do agree that the cheerleaders story and photos should have been placed in the middle of the paper where the importance of the news would be more appropriate. It was in poor taste to put them under the headline about the death of fellow servicemembers.

Sgt. David Copeland
Forward Operating Base Speicher, Iraq

A conservative ‘apologizes’

Apparently the writer of “A liberal ‘apologizes’” (letter, July 18) knows the political views of every single person who ever did anything productive or counterproductive anywhere in history.

So I, as a conservative, because I am patriotic and believe in strong family values, am responsible and apologize for all negative occurrences and I realize that liberals are the smartest, most well-educated, open-minded, kind-hearted, well-intentioned people since the dawn of human existence.

When the letter writer talks about appreciating “alternative points of view” and in the same article bashes the “conservative mind,” this makes his argument petty and moot. Also, to suggest that universal forces or “liberal notions” (as the letter writer put it) such as gravity have a political affiliation is beyond absurd.

I suggest before he sends another letter about how oppressive the opposing view is, he buy a full-length mirror and stand in front.

Jason Bensley
Riedstadt, Germany

Civility not part of curriculum

In regard to “A liberal ‘apologizes,’” the author’s comments — meant to be tongue-in-cheek, or simply mean-spirited — smack of the same institutional arrogance that led the speaker at the recent graduation in Germany to espouse his particular viewpoint, regardless of his audience (“UMUC graduation speaker stirs up controversy,” article, June 14).

While they can pat themselves on the back for bringing academic “truth” to the assembled, and stand satisfied at how they enlightened the uninformed with their viewpoints, the fact is, there is a time and a place for everything. For those who worked so hard to obtain a degree, having the event culminating their achievement turn from a celebration of their accomplishment into an ego-driven forum for political rants is simply uncalled for.

It’s a shame Western Civ is offered, but civility itself isn’t on the curriculum.

Kevin Lewis
Harrogate, England

Why print the letter?

Please explain to me what the point of printing the letter “A liberal ‘apologizes’” was, other than to inflame and upset conservatives and furthermore portray to people that conservatives are ignorant or stupid.

A newspaper such as Stars and Stripes, which in many cases is the only newspaper a servicemember has access to, should be a source of unbiased news. While opinions are obviously biased, printing a letter such as this serves only to inflame opposing views and can show Stripes as a left-leaning news source.

Out of all the letters Stripes receives every day, it shouldn’t have been too hard to pick out something that isn’t a piece of political trash.

Sgt. Sean Gavett
SHAPE, Belgium

Lack of good judgment

It’s unfortunate to see “A liberal ‘apologizes.’” As a professional educator, the letter writer showed a lack of good judgment by using Stars and Stripes to engage in a battle of philosophy with a student. He should have thought about the possible repercussions of his actions. He also should have thought about the University of Maryland University College’s image before he submitted his letter.

I hope the UMUC board of ethics looks into his actions. Finally, it’s unfortunate that the writer feels he has to demean conservatives for what he thinks they believe.

I have had the pleasure of taking courses through UMUC and have met professors who have engaged in passing off their personal opinions (both liberal and conservative) as part of the curriculum. It’s unfortunate that it happens, but it does. However, when discussions based upon opinion occurred between professor and student, a level of respect for each other’s beliefs was maintained at all times.

The letter writer should have either kept his opinions on a professional level or realized that he should have kept his opinions to himself. He also needs to remember that without the continued revenue coming in from the student body that he is demeaning, he may find himself without a job.

Tech. Sgt. Donald Hoobler
Iraq