• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

Letters to the EditorTo lead or not to led

Editor:Just a friendly reminder to emphasize to your staff the importance of

proof reading. While spell check is a nifty feature on all of our

computers, it often misses homonyms, those pesky words that sound like

other words, but are spelled differently.

Last Wednesday, Nov. 8, was the second day in a row that one of your

staff writers improperly used the word "lead" rather than using the correct

"led." In "The Writing on the Wall" by Todd Arnold, he wrote: "The diverse

graffiti ... has lead some to wonder ..." The day before, it was Jennifer

Richmond who made the mistake in her article, "The funkier side of Harry"

on Harry Connick, Jr.: "That chance sighting landed him a solo ... and lead

to his role as a piano teacher ...".

And while you don't necessarily have to change to please me, (I'm hardly

your worst critic), it may someday be important for your writers who submit

something to, say, Newsweek, where if an apostrophe is in the wrong place,

an article doesn't get published. What a bummer that would be ...

Have a nice day!

Carolina Musick

Fifth year

Anthropology

Tube ball

Editor:From 1965, when I entered UCLA as a freshman, to 1981, when I finished

my post-doctorate, I attended all but two basketball home games, sitting in

the student section. When I read Marlon Cicero's complaint ("Aw, sit

down!," Nov. 22) about students standing up during games, I didn't know

whether to laugh or cry. Next thing you know, he will be whining about fans

who interrupt his nap time by yelling too loudly. I can only surmise that

the presence of people like him in the prime student seats is the perverse

result of the administration's new policies on ticket distribution and

line-ups.

I suggest that if Cicero wants a clear, unobstructed view of the

basketball games, he should park his butt where it belongs - in front of

his TV set.

Ben Browdy, Ph.D.

School of Public Health

Standing support

Editor:We are writing in response to Marlon Cicero's less than enthusiastic

viewpoint on Kimberly Babb's appeal to UCLA basketball fans, ("Aw, sit

down!," Nov. 22).

We find ourselves in the fortunate position of being season ticket

holders again this year. We realize how tiring a long day of classes can be

and how after a long day, we all look forward to relaxing. But, please be

aware that after your laborious day, if you choose to attend a basketball

game or any other such function at UCLA, be prepared to participate as much

and as fully as the players do. Don't forget that those 12 young men are

also students here. They, too, have classes to take. It's sort of a

requirement for them to play.

And, we are almost positive that they work out just as hard, if not

harder, than any of us here. We feel if they can play their hearts out for

a couple of hours after their long days, the least we can do is stand.

The issue is not whether we can see or not, it is an issue of supporting

our team and helping them reach an emotional high to achieve victory.

Anyone who chooses to sit on the floor at the games better realize that

they have a job to do. These are the people that the teams see best. When

the fans are sitting, not only is it a detriment to the Bruins, but it also

helps the other team. How can the Bruins get emotional about winning if we

aren't emotional about seeing them win? These young men play for the fans.

The least we can do is be fans and not spectators.

Proof that the fans today affect the teams of tomorrow as well as the

Bruin team of today: Last season, during recruitment, the Bruins were

courting a young man by the name of Paul Pierce. He was a top recruit and

would have been a good addition to the team (no offense to the current

team). Pierce visited our lovely campus and also attended a game that

afternoon. To start the half, we Bruin fans were less than enthusiastic.

Eventually, the fans picked up, but by then it was too little too late.

Pierce opted to attend Kansas. One of the reasons he stated for choosing

Kansas over us was lack of Bruin support from the fans. And if our

recollection is correct, those fans at that game stood. They cheered, and

were 20 times better than the fans at the past home games this season.

So, we'd like Marlon Cicero, or anyone else who doubts the importance of

the role of the fans in aiding the team's victory, to do this: The next

time you see a player or coach on campus, stop them and ask them what they

feel the role of the fan is. We'd bet our season tickets that their

response would be similar to ours. Ask yourselves this question, "Are you a

fan or a spectator?" If you're a fan, not only would you stand, but you

would want to stand. If you're a spectator, then save yourself some money,

leave the tickets for the real fans and watch the games sitting at home.

We're sure no "buttheads" will stand in front of you there.Proud buttheadsBlanche Ramirez

Second year

BiologyShawn Mason

Third year

Biology

Comments

Post a comment