Letters to the Editor

Author: [no author name found]

To the Editor:

This letter is in response to last week's article, "Midd-kids, you have it sooo good." We all have the right to lobby for those issues we find important - global, national, local or personal. Furthermore, we should be grateful, not critical of those individuals who protest issues that do not appear on the front page, as it is often the less visible idiosyncrasies that support discriminatory policies and ideologies.

Midd-kids' protests against the army's recruitment policies may not represent a global issue like "peace in the middle east." Regardless, no individual deserves to have their humanity called into question by a policy that demeans their lifestyle. Moreover, around 24 other nations allow openly gay individuals to serve, including Israel, and it's time for the United States to catch up.

Additionally, Mr. Goldberg argued that Israeli citizens do not whine but rather support their nation's military without protest. What about the growing Israeli Youth Refusers movement whereby young Israelis refuse to enlist so long as their army remains an army of occupation? Noam Bahat, one such refuser, spoke at Middlebury this fall, stressing that he was not renouncing his country, but rather working to improve it.

Finally, the Proctor protest addresses philosophically and fiscally rooted faults in the commons system decentralized dining plan. If these problems are addressed now, future funds can support more pressing areas such as financial aid, grants and stipends for internships, funds to allow more students to have an experience abroad like yours or reinstating the policy recently cut whereby every dining service employee receives a turkey for Christmas - many of whom depend on that for Christmas dinner.
Who gave you the authority to judge the value of their efforts?

Sincerely,
Jennifer Harris
Admissions Counselor

To the Editor:

Regarding the recommendation that students on campus who currently serve, plan to serve or have friends or family serving in the military should create an organization on campus.

I would not be surprised if the policy changes such that the military are prohibited from recruiting on campus. I am not opposed to such a policy. Students with any affiliation with the military - considering, currently serving or having close bonds with those who are serving or have served - should establish an organization that supports their goals and obligations and fosters good will within our community. I would support the efforts of such a group.

Sincerely,
Heidi Schuerger
Oracle Database Specialist
Middlebury College