The Red and Black

Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: Opinions

Jilani column draws strong criticisms

Zaid Jilani, In his Feb. 28 column, says, "Iran has never been an aggressor in its existence." How are we to define aggressor?

During the Jimmy Carter White House vacation, Tehran students seized the American embassy in '79 until day one of President Reagan's administration.

According to Middle Eastern experts, Iran has seized United States diplomats, ordered American hostages to be taken in Lebanon and abroad and supports a terrorist war against the U.S. and Israel.

If those are not examples of aggression, then yes, Mr. Jalini is correct. The problem is, however, those acts and many others are acts of "aggression," to put it lightly. Whether Iranian support for terrorism is a good or bad thing apparently depends on your perspective.

In his article, Mr. Jalini used the term "us" when referring to the United States, as well as "us" referring to "a generation of young Iranians."

Perhaps the "young Iranian" in the author sees no wrong in the aggressive actions of "the foremost state sponsor of terrorism," as concluded by a panel of Middle Eastern experts during a Heritage Foundation discussion in late 2006.

Given all of this, Iran's nuclear program is like a truck without brakes, speeding downhill.

This is unacceptable and hopefully will be solved diplomatically.

Unfortunately, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who by the way refers to the Holocaust as a "myth" and has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map," has no intention of stopping Iran's nuclear program. That, Mr. Jalini, is aggression.


CYLE COOK
Junior, Stockbridge
Criminal Justice

R&B's fashion advice a faux pas

I cannot read the "fashion advice" any longer.

Let me preface all of this by saying I am sure Emily Samuels has a sincere love of clothing and shopping and is an all-around great girl; however, the Spring Fashion 2007 spread was nothing more than a retrospective on the way University students have dressed for years: guys in Polo shirts and girls in "pretty" dresses.

Basically, what I am trying to say is the "trends" Ms. Samuels put together could have just as easily been pulled up from each of my friends' Facebook albums.

Let's be honest. This really is not the first time the student body population has seen a low cut, geometric print dress.


BIANCA SUNDELL
Senior, Atlanta
Fashion Merchandising

Totten treads worn trails with column

Mr. Totten, it seems you have brought up the same subject that is discussed in The Red & Black every spring.

In fact, last April I wrote a very similar letter to the editor when someone else complained about the possible racist treatment of some at the bars downtown.

I would like to reiterate my point: a private business can have whatever policy it wishes regarding who it serves. This is not illegal, as you seem to believe it is.

I also would like to offer you the same advice I gave a year ago: you are free to open your own establishment where you only let in people wearing silver chains, black shoes, mohawks or whatever quality you wish.

You have this right, as does every other owner of a private business.


CHRIS M. LINDSEY
Junior, Grayson
Political Science

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