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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

    Mailbag

    Late professor was an inspiring mentor, caring teacher

    This past weekend I was saddened to hear about the passing of one of the UA’s finest teachers, Dr. Don Davis, of the Hydrology and Water Resources Department. Dr. Davis embodied everything that is great about the University of Arizona. He cared very much for the University of Arizona and hydrology; most of all, he cared very deeply for his students.

    As a graduate of the HWR department, I am proud to say that Dr. Davis was not only my undergraduate advisor, but also a friend. After my first visit to campus and speaking with Dr. Davis, I not only knew that I wanted to be a Wildcat, but also a hydrologist. I cannot thank the University of Arizona, the HWR department, or Dr. Davis enough for where I am today.

    I just wanted to bring attention to the unfortunate passing of one of Arizona’s great teachers and mentors. The university, his students and all those fortunate enough to have known Dr. Davis will miss him. Thank you.

    William Paul Miller
    Hydrologist, United States Bureau of Reclamation

    UA Class of 2003

    ASUA’s choice of untalented singer encourages stereotypes

    To Taylor Kessinger: I just wanted to say that I very much enjoyed your article that brought Katy Perry into the “”true”” spotlight. (“”Why I hate Katy Perry (and you should, too),”” Jan. 30, 2009) I also could not believe that the Associated Students of the University of Arizona chose such an unworthy artist.

    Looking back at how far we’ve come with gay rights, Perry’s lyrics simply encourage stupidity with her stereotypes and her hypocritical gender roles. Thank you for making readers aware of the fact that she is unworthy of stardom for her genuine lack of talent.

    Thank you also for giving us the idea to contact ASUA about the issue; I had not thought of that but will certainly let my voice be heard in the near future. I could not have written a better article myself. Keep up the good writing!

    Alayne Rosenstein
    psychology junior

    Writer misses point of protester’s sign’s symbolism

    This is in response to Adam Lewis’s letter to the editor in Friday’s Daily Wildcat. (Mailbag, Jan. 30, 2009) Seeing as Mr. Lewis is a political science senior, I’m appalled by his profound lack of understanding of political symbolism. The intent of the sign was indeed to create a reaction of offense, disgust, and shock. But it is not a commentary on abortion, nor is it a shallow jab for attention; rather, the sign is an effective means of drawing attention to the cause.

    First, it elicits a reaction of shock and disgust due to the depiction of a coat hanger abortion, and then draws the parallel between this action and the current action of the legislature, translating the reaction of shock and disgust from the abortion to the proposed cuts. This translation of emotion and thought is the hallmark of excellent political symbolism. Far from your shallow appraisal of the sign, it has everything to do with protesting budget cuts. The abortion symbolism is simply used as a vehicle to convey the strong feeling of the sign holder.

    The whole reason a coat hanger is used as the symbolism is that it is universally agreed by both pro-life and pro-choice groups that this method of abortion is utterly appalling and should be avoided at all cost. This same sentiment should be felt about the way the legislature proposes to balance the budget. (But I’m just a Mechanical Engineer, what do I know about politics and symbolism?)x

    Andrew Sims
    mechanical engineering sophomore

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