Opinions: Letters to the editor

 published on Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Nothing to hide

(In response to Tuesday's editorial titled "Game time")

As a staff member of the Programming and Activities Board, I would like to clear a few things up regarding the A Week activities going on this week and a misunderstanding printed in the March 25 issue of The State Press.

The editorial was concerned that our advertisement mentions "seven days of free events and entertainment," and the writer only saw six days listed. The seventh day was in fact our kick off celebration last Friday afternoon in which we had information on all of the events and free pizza for those who came by our booth in front of the Memorial Union.

We have nothing to hide in PAB. In fact, we keep all of our events that go on the entire year listed on our website at asu.edu/pab. We hope that someone wouldn't boycott the entire week or any of our events because they think we have some hidden agenda. I realize that it was probably meant partly in jest, but we've worked very hard leading up to this week, and our first priority is providing an exciting week of entertainment for the students. Considering that we are the group that created A Week, we have no intention of "ruining" it. Our "unnecessary veil of secrecy" doesn't exist, but the editorial's unnecessary stirring up of drama seems like more of a threat against school spirit.

Hopefully the majority of the student body remains excited about all of our events, and we're excited for the rest of the week, including Casino Night, Rock Palm Walk and capping it all off with bringing you Dear and the Headlights at Tempe Music Festival. If anyone has any further concerns or questions, they're welcome to come visit us on the second floor of the SRC in Room 226 and keep an eye out for the rest of this semester's programming.

Ashley Harris
Concert Series Director / PAB

Show some heart

(In response to Tuesday's column by Chris Ogino titled "Get jobs, homeless people")

Chris Ogino lacks an understanding of a very important principle with respect to the issue of homelessness: According to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of American, "Homelessness concerns people, human beings created in God's image for a life of dignity in justice."

In addition to his misunderstanding of this principle, Ogino forgets that while he is "go[ing] to work five days a week to earn a paycheck," the homeless labor at a full-time job as well: survival.

In his article, Mr. Ogino does nothing more than stand upon his false throne of superiority over the homeless. I offer the following for Mr. Ogino's consideration with the hope that his heart will be open to the compassion of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." — Matthew 25:40.

Domingos R. Santos Jr.
Citizen