Investigating Sukaina Mohsin Ali’s death
Dear Editors:
Re: Letter, “Investigation of student death should stop” (Journal, October 17, 2006).
I don’t think the Journal has made any sort of mission to investigate the circumstances of Sukaina Ali’s death. The Journal is simply doing what’s expected to do—report the news.
As we near the end of October, I guarantee that the vast majority of first-years have never heard Sukaina Ali’s tragic story.
Eating disorders unfortunately dwell in the shadows of today’s youth and the severity needs to be exposed. This story is a great way for all of us to begin understanding how dangerous living by yourself can truly be.
I don’t think preventing deaths amongst university students is in any way shape or form a “waste of paper.” I also highly doubt that Ali’s parents would believe that steps to prevent this from happening again are in anyway a testament to their privacy.
Knowledge is the key to prevention.
Jonathan Gravel
ArtSci ’09
Dear Editors:
Re: Letter, “Investigation of student death should stop” (Journal, October 17, 2006).
At first, when I heard from others of this ranting, arrogant, senseless and unempathetic piece of garbage, I thought people must be exaggerating about its juvenile and intellectually vacant nature, but when I read it I found it was worse than could be imagined.
It is disgusting that I would have to remind this PhD candidate that a life was lost this year (not last year, as the writer indicated), and this is no laughing matter. I would expect more human decency even from a kindergarten class.
Please do not feel so entitled to speak on behalf of a grieving family. If you attended Sukaina Ali’s memorial, you would have known that the family was interested in working with the University and community to ensure that such a tragedy would not be repeated in the future, and that is exactly the intention of investigating the circumstances surrounding Sukaina Ali’s death. Why there would be any hostility or resistance into reviewing our current policies and practices so that we can better serve and our students is beyond me.
Most appalling was that the writer apparently conducted her own investigation as she arrived at the conclusion that the deceased and her grieving family are to blame for the tragedy. I am hopeful and thankful that the University will not resort to such incoherent, superficial, misinformedand incompetent investigative techniques. Finally, the Journal is to be commended for displaying humanity by occupying their pages with issues and stories that are in the interest of students, rather than, as this detached student suggested, by consuming students with commercial advertising.
Amita Bhatia
ArtsSci ’06
Ignatieff editorial sparks debate
Re: “Let Ignatieff speak his mind” (Journal, October 17, 2006).
I share similar views with the editorial piece regarding the comments made by Liberal leadership candidate, Michael Ignatieff.
There are comments that are not appropriate or intolerable, but Ignatieff was in no way offensive. He was simply expressing his opinion, which is perfectly acceptable. It seems that whenever someone makes negative comments about Israel, he or she is faced with the almost certain prospect of being accused as anti-Israel or anti-Jewish.
This double standard ed by most Western countries needs to stop.
One of the definitions of war crime established by the International Criminal Court is “directing attacks against civilians,” which both Israel and Lebanon forces committed during the conflict this past summer.
Personally, I applaud Ignatieff for voicing his opinion despite the fact that he might lose votes or even the leadership race. It’s time someone prominent acknowledges the existence of this double standard with respect to Israel.
Tian Wang
ArtSci ’09
Dear Editors:
Re: “Let Ignatieff speak his mind” (Journal, October 17, 2006).
Unfortunately, the level of critical thought put into the Jounal’s editorial paralleled Michael Ignatieff’s public statements regarding sensitive issues.
What struck me the most was the Journal’s proposal that a politician should not have to fear for his political life when he or she adds criticism to a heated topic. That’s absurd. All of us, especially public figures vying for the political leadership of our country, are held to for statements made in public.
As the Journal clearly states, the Middle East conflict is “a complicated international issue” and Ignatieff should have treated it as such.
Alex Goldberg
ArtSci ’08
Responding to the Greyhound ads opinion
Dear Editors:
Re: “Not all mothers do your laundry” (Journal, October 17, 2006).
I recall the Greyhound ads, which Peter Saczkowski describes as “revolting,” “patriarchal,” “sexist” and “breaching basic moral standards integral to the self-respect of women.” According to Saczkowski, it’s “rightly terrifying” that “this type of sexist attitude is the accepted norm.”
All this fuss over ads that featured mothers who do their child’s laundry and cook them spaghetti is disgusting!
Peter, it seems like you’ve spent too much time in the alternate universe of feminism and “women’s studies.”
Here’s a newsflash: there are countless ads that stereotype women, just as there are countless ads that stereotype men, fathers, families, professionals, students, nationalities, etc.
I may not be a beer-swilling sports fan or someone obsessed with small engine maintenance, but I don’t get offended when I see the many ads that stereotype men this way.
Sadly, this wishy-washy content was completely on par with the editorials that day, with the Journal’s advocacy of the Kyoto Accord and their criticism of the “knee jerk” reaction to Ignatieff’s anti-Israel comments (the true “knee jerk” reaction is the almost universal international condemnation for every single act of Israeli self-defense, and yes, that is anti-Semitic).
I guess that’s all the left has to offer.
Douglas Treilhard
ArtSci ’10
Dear Editors:
Re: “Not all mothers do your laundry” (Journal, October 17, 2006).
Peter Saczkowski, would you please stop whining like my little sister (or brother)? Just because your mother will not wash your laundry does not mean that I or anyone else want to read about it.
Nick Bonderoff
Sci ’09
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