Opinions: Letters to the editor

 published on Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Guns and Funds

(In response to Wednesday's letter to the editor written by Ryan Vigneux)

In Vigneux's letter, he indicates that the problem is too little campus security in the form of armed officers and guards.

After reading time and again in The State Press how horrible the University is for constantly raising tuition levels, I'd like to ask Mr. Vigneux how he thinks that his solution should be funded. It isn't enough to soak the students, their parents, Pell grants and Federal Financial Aid for millions of dollars, but now this undergrad suggests another reason to hike the tuition further. As if private funding of scholarships for "undocumented aliens" isn't enough of a drain on an already overtaxed system of revenue building.

Mr. Vigneux, have you considered that most CCW holders tend to be law-abiding citizens, and usually quite well-trained in the proper use of firearms? In fact, there are a number of civilians who are actually better at combat shooting than a good portion of police officers. That is because police officers are required to attend the shooting range for qualifications once, perhaps twice per year, depending upon the department they work for. Responsible firearms owners with carry permits usually spend much more of their free time engaged in some target practice or other shooting activity.

So, think about the extent of "capable" security the University can have for free, if this measure passes.

Christopher Burmood
Alumnus

Paying the price

(In response to Monday's letter to the editor written by J. Benjamin Starsky)

It's a shame that everyone can't experience the exact same difficulty when immigrating to America. That would be most fair.

I thank my swarthy, destitute, Italian-speaking ancestors who died en route to Ellis Island on filthy, overcrowded ships for the privilege of not being coerced to donate a portion of my already ridiculously taxed income to discount tuition for an illegal immigrant. I can barely pay for my own tuition as it is.

(Disclaimer: I believe open borders are a good thing, and that immigration should be as simple as walking over the border and stating your name, but unfortunately that's not the law right now.)

Brandon Menc
Undergraduate