UCLA must reach out to injured USC fan

The joy I felt after UCLA’s victory over USC was diminished in the wake of reports of a USC fan who was allegedly beaten by hooligans in Bruin garb, suffering a deep cut to his eyeball in the attack.

I sincerely hope that UCLA, the football team and the Alumni Association reach out to him and his wife, who was there with him.

He may not be able to get full use of his eye back, but those of us who represent the real UCLA must attempt to make amends of some kind.

The UCLA community needs to understand – in no uncertain terms – that such behavior is intolerable.

If it takes more security, stronger rules about alcohol or anything else, so be it.

If nothing is done to address this issue in a powerful way, I may be forced to do the unthinkable: elect not to renew my season tickets.

I am angry and embarrassed, and I am far from alone.

Roy L. Shults

UCLA Class of 1970

Former president,

UCLA Alumni Association

Preachers have a right to visit campus

I’m writing in response to Thursday’s Send Your Thoughts question, “How should UCLA handle outside people coming in and inciting confrontation?”

The individuals who entered campus only wished to express their very traditional Judeo-Christian views.

The violent reaction they suffered was less a reflection on them than on the lack of tolerance to opposing viewpoints on the part of many campus members.

The news article (“Preachers attacked twice in Bruin Plaza,” News, Dec. 7) revealed a picture of bullies physically attacking and trying to harm people for daring to express an opinion they disliked – exactly what the brownshirts did in Nazi Germany and Stalinist thugs did in Communist Russia.

This is a very bad reflection on UCLA.

UCLA is a state-run, taxpayer-supported institution. Those paying the bills hold a variety of opinions, and they have the right to know these opinions can be expressed on campus without having to fear for their safety.

People such as Michael Okerblom, who physically attacked these individuals, have apparently forgotten that people still have the right to free speech.

Incidentally, if UCLA takes steps to keep such people out, I can think of at least two special-interest legal groups that could take UCLA to court.

Alice L. Ramirez

Staff,

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Setting up a draft not a simple solution

In response to Katie Strickland’s column, “If it takes a draft to make us care, so be it” (Nov. 30), American troops may be members of the U.S. military because they feel that service to their country is their duty.

I once heard a discharged U.S. soldier say one does not have to be battling in the trenches in order to be in danger in the middle of a war. A draft bringing civilians into Iraq to be nurses and electricians instead of soldiers may not to keep them away from the violence.

Furthermore, Iraq is not the most important nor the only world issue.

You may be shopping while soldiers in Iraq are fighting, but at the same time, some (not many) Americans may be in their own hometowns feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, giving back what Hurricane Katrina took away, figuring out what can be done for Darfur, or simply teaching little kids how to read.

These philanthropists and other people may be against war in general, and should not be forced to put their lives on the line for something they do not believe in.

It isn’t about what cause is more important than finals. It’s about preparing to be a better world leader who can actively cure a worthy issue.

Stormie Evans

Third-year, Spanish