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September 10, 2004 > Opinion > Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

Courts stand up to tyranny of the majority

To the editor: Pat Hastings’ column (‘Courts should keep partial-birth abortion ban,’ Sept. 3) showed a stunning ignorance of the concept of the separation of powers. Hastings forgets (I hope) that ‘activist’ judges brought about the Civil Rights Movement, which gave African-Americans the same rights as others. These actions flew in the face of the popular will, and many Southerners literally stood in the way of these activist judges, decrying their defiance of democracy. Our judges are either elected, or they are subject to impeachment by elected legislatures (which even includes the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court). This checks and balances of our courts against their supposed dictatorial powers shows that, if a judge truly does abuse his or her powers, they are subject to removal. Anyone who believes a judge has passed these bounds should stop whining and begin impeachment hearings; at the very least, they should stop spreading the misinformation that these judges are unaccountable, because they are decidedly not.

Daniel Lenhoff Hanszen senior

Christians should be free to practice beliefs

To the editor: Evan Mintz, in his column (‘Too many religious signs speak too loudly,’ Sept. 3), claims that when practicing Christians publicly express their beliefs, it is a ‘perceived assault’ upon him and other secular students at Rice. It is hypocritical of him to assert his right to his own beliefs while denying that right to Christians and other religious students. However threatened the author may feel from the number of religious T-shirts or religious clubs on campus, he lives in a nation in which freedom of speech and freedom of religion are first on the Bill of Rights. In the United States, no one has the right to not be offended. I may have been offended by the author’s narrow-minded view of Christianity, but I will never demand that he stop expressing that view. Should the author continue his quest of ‘personal interaction’ to convert Christians to his socio-political views, he will find many Christians who support gay marriage, and a great many who are firm believers in the separation of church and state. However, he should be careful not to confuse the latter principle with an official religion of atheism, which many in the western world seem bent on imposing. The past few years have seen a ban on all overtly religious clothing in French public schools, along with a serious legal challenge to the phrase ‘under God’ in the American pledge of allegiance. It is my fervent hope that at Rice and all other universities in America, people of any religion, or none at all, continue to freely exercise their beliefs.

Andrew Siddons Brown junior

Discomfort a vital part of learning from life

To the editor: In his article, Evan Mintz writes about how some students feel when surrounded by religious advertisements: ‘For those who have lived their lives surrounded by Christianity, such an environment is not only normal, but welcoming. For others, however, these attitudes make an uncomfortable and almost unwelcoming feeling …’ While I agree that it can make people feel uncomfortable or unwelcome, I also believe that students should not be shielded from ideas contrary to their own. The fact is that life is uncomfortable. I think the best way to defend yourself from these negative feelings is not to ask that the source of your discomfort be taken out of your sight, but for you to ask yourself why it makes you feel this way. Are you uncomfortable because it is different from what you are used to? Are you uncomfortable because you feel like a minority? Are you uncomfortable because you feel like you are being attacked? Whatever the reason, I suspect that you will find that the true source of your discomfort lies not in the religious flyers all over campus, but in yourself.

Erica Derrickson Hanszen senior Candace Marbury Hanszen sophomore Columnist should follow Christians’ lead

To the editor: Evan Mintz, author of the guest column ‘Too many religious signs speak too loudly,’ (Sept. 3) says that he has ‘a duty to introduce [his] belief system,’ and he hopes to ‘encourage people to question their traditional beliefs.’ Perhaps in his quest to spread the good word, he should follow the example of another group which has been somewhat successful in that venture, Christianity. For example, there was this one Christian who wore a shirt quoting Jesus, and rather than eliciting an ‘all-too-human confrontation’ from Evan, it elicited a conversation and meaningful personal interaction. My point is that Evan should give us Christians some more credit. He may find that all Christian clubs are not the same and that the Catholics and the Baptists may be sending different messages, although they seem the same to him. He may also find that ‘nailing posters to the wall’ and ‘putting flyers on tables’ are not mutually exclusive with ‘personal interaction’ in that the former may lead to the latter. Finally, he may just find that those responsible for the flyers can be great conversationalist, if he’ll give them a chance.

Toby Isaac Hanszen sophomore

Discomfort promotes personal growth

To the editor: After reading Evan Mintz’s column (‘Too Many Religious Signs Speak Too Loudly,’ Sept. 3) describing a ‘perceived assault by Christianity,’ I wonder when Christianity fell out of the ranks of acceptable belief groups. Admittedly, Bible-study groups are widespread and many students are vocal about their faith, but I fail to see how Mintz can speak for the ‘minority’ by condemning ordinary students expressing their views; ultimately, larger organizations like Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Rice and Baptist Student Ministries, consist of individual students, like Mintz, expressing their own beliefs. These Christian organizations should not make any student feel marginalized or repressed. In the past week, Bible studies have included and welcomed non-Christians, even from other universities, who came to learn about what their friends believe. Often at larger meetings, speakers emphasize the message to love and to interact with students on campus, rather than create an ‘unwelcoming feeling.’ Intervarsity flyers even announce specific Bible-study sessions for non-believers to foster understanding and inclusiveness. In his Matriculation address, President Leebron suggested, ‘If you start to find your experience here entirely comfortable, you are doing something wrong. Now is the time to try new things, some for the first time.’ This personal growth requires more effort than Mintz’s simple plan to ‘find a club that fits [his] interests and makes [him] feel at home.’ Rather than blindly assuming that Christians will ‘turn the topic to gay marriage’ and unnecessarily opening up a political Pandora’s Box, why not actually attend a Bible study and learn about the other side before protesting? If the time has come for open-mindedness, then the time has come to practice what you preach.

Matt Dunn Martel freshman

Late-term abortion ban irrational

To the editor: While Pat Hastings was correct to note that right wing legislators have pushed late-term abortion to the center of the abortion debate (‘Courts should keep partial-birth abortion ban,’ Sept. 3) he failed to point out why, given that late-term abortions account for less than 0.5 to 1 percent of all abortions performed in the United States each year. Anti-choice forces are latching onto late-term abortion because it is the most contentious procedure, hoping to chip away at a woman’s right to choice until it is eroded entirely. The language of the 2003 Partial Birth Abortion Act is deceptive and so vague that it could be used to outlaw procedures as early as 12 or 13 weeks into pregnancy. Many genetic test results are not available until after 20 weeks. Prohibiting late-term abortion would mean that if a woman knew her fetus had an abnormality and would not viably live outside the womb, she could do nothing about it other than wait until the fetus came to term. Consider the irrationality of such a policy as well as the emotional trauma on the woman, who has no other choice but to continue a doomed pregnancy for another four months. For those truly interested in dramatically reducing the number of abortions, you can join forces with pro-choice groups committed to promoting comprehensive sex education and health care. The more women know about birth control — and the more readily and inexpensively various forms are made available — the fewer the number of unintended pregnancies. It’s that simple. This issue requires a response that goes beyond the editorial page. Anyone who supports equality, believes people have the right to corporeal sovereignty and is tired of discriminatory anti-woman policies needs to get out and vote this election. We cannot endure four more years under a repressive administration bent on erasing all our progress in the fight for women’s rights. It’s time for a regime change — before it’s too late.

Mary Dillman Sara Leibovich co-Presidents, Rice For Choice Hanszen seniors

Thank you for coming out to the game

To the editor: On behalf of the football team and coaches, we want to extend our sincerest thanks for the great support that an overwhelming number of our fellow students gave to us at the Rice University-Houston football game last Sunday. It was a fantastic feeling for all of us to be able to look up and see and hear everyone pulling together to help defeat UH. It is our hope that everyone who attended the game had a great time and will come back to help us defeat Hawaii on Sept. 18th at 7 p.m. in Rice Stadium. We know that one of the biggest reasons we won was because of your support. Thank you.

The Rice Football Team

RUPD should learn better manners

To the editor: Recently my vehicle was towed from one Rice lot to another and was damaged along the way. Upon calling Rice University Police Department, I was directed to the towing company that Rice uses, Cody’s Wrecker Service. I was completely unprepared for the lack of professionalism displayed by Cody’s. After being given the runaround for over a week, somebody finally did come out to see the damage, but they went to the wrong parking lot and didn’t even bother to call me for a confirmation. During my most recent exchange, the dispatcher accused me of lying about the entire situation, then filled my ear with swear words before hanging up. I notified RUPD about this rude treatment and was told that they would ‘look into it.’ Lieutenant Marshall soon called me back and said that Cody, the owner, was denying everything, and I would have to take care of this situation on my own. I am severely disappointed in RUPD, not only for choosing to use this company that is extremely unprofessional and rude to Rice students, but also because the harsh treatment I received didn’t seem to faze them at all. One easy denial, and my side of the story was completely disregarded. If RUPD condones this kind of behavior directed at students, which it obviously does since it continues to use to this towing service, then don’t be surprised if one day you call ext. 6000 for help and are greeted with ‘Call back on Monday.’

Daniel Jackson Jones senior

College athletics column lightened day

To the editor: I would like to thank Amber Obermeyer for lightening my mood on an overcast Friday morning. While reading her ‘Confessions of a Texas football fan’ (Sept. 3), I realized that much of what she was saying could be applied to myself as well. I too have looked forward to picking up my copy of Texas Football every summer to see how my favorite high school and collegiate teams are expected to do this year. And I too have sat in front of the big screen on an autumn Saturday afternoon, usually with my father and uncles, watching the big game while complaining about the sorry state of college football in general. And lastly, I too have realized that complaining about the problem while watching the network broadcast is not conducive to solving the problem. So thank you, Amber. I now know that there is another college football junkie on campus who sees the problem he has gotten himself into, but simply can’t walk away from the potential of the next great Hail Mary pass or wonderful Red River Blowout.

Jake Neu Martel sophomore

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