Letters to the Editor

Why criticize education?

To the Editor:

Mark Fiore's column ("Hollywood arrogance 101," The Daily Pennsylvanian, 10/22/01) continues the conservatism that he espoused last time he was a columnist. If Fiore is correct, the education on Islam by Oprah Winfrey and The West Wing apparently must only be done for actors' benefit or imposition of their views on the populace. I thought conservatives blasted television for its violence and sexuality; now they're criticizing its ability to educate.

If there is one overriding reason for Oprah and Sorkin's efforts, it is the fact that there have been hundreds of substantiated reports of hate crimes against Arab Americans and others of Middle Eastern descent. Fiore equates the West Wing students to "kindergartners." In addition to being flat-out wrong, the spasms of frustration and revenge that manifest themselves in hate crimes on law-abiding citizens of this country are incredibly childish.

President Bush's admonition against "singling out" hasn't worked. No matter how much his administration emphasized the point, it still went on (and is going on most likely).ÿIt seems further education is needed. Polls suggest that support for Arab American identity cards and increased profiling is growing, and that scares me; it's such a harsh first reaction to this terrible tragedy.

A very good friend of mine is from an Islamic country in the Middle East.ÿWhen I first met him, he seemed amazed that I actually knew the five pillars of Islam.ÿMost Americans that my friend knows don't know these fundamental five tenets. I am a history major, but something like that should be common knowledge. Think about all the major tenets of Christianity and Judaism that we might take for granted that everyone knows.

Maybe this education thing isn't such a bad thing, after all. Apparently Mr. Fiore thinks it is.

Justin Weiner

College '02

Conserve Cipro To the Editor:

I am a 22-year-old male student with a severe urological disorder. I have had a re-occurring infection for almost four full years. During almost this entire period of time I have been taking Cipro.

This simple, yet powerful antibiotic has saved my life. As long as the infection is still alive in my body, Cipro is the preferred method of treatment.

I was glad to see the article in Wednesday's DP ("Doctors reluctant to prescribe Cipro," 10/17/01) that stated that there is no need to stockpile this drug. Hysterical stockpiling has already created a situation in which people that need this drug (those with chronic bacterial infections and those already infected with anthrax) can't get the medication on which their lives depend.

I have enough Cipro to last until the end of the month. My hope is that when I go for my refill I am not met with a sold-out sign. I strongly urge the Penn community to leave the Cipro supply for those of us that need this drug to live.

Name Withheld

College '02

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