Undemocratic system?
Many of us need enlightenment about the American political system. Would a professor from the Political Science Department please explain to us 'ignorant' foreigners (and some Americans as well) why only a few thousand people in Iowa and New Hampshire should have such a significant impact on who will be the presidential candidate in the fall?
Is that not indeed quite undemocratic? And who has decided which state should vote first and why? To us, the European Parliamentary system seems much more democratic, since the entire (qualified) population, on one single day determines who will be the new chancellor or president. Americans usually state so proudly that their system is the most democratic in the world. Is that really true?
Hans-Wilhelm Kelling
Professor of German
Plenty of parking
There is much complaining about the parking situation on campus. I'm often confused by this because I have never had a hard time finding parking in the 3 1/2 years I've come to BYU, nearly all of it as an off-campus student. There is plenty of parking on the north end of campus, and depending on which building you're going to, these lots are no farther away than many other more popular lots. Indeed, it takes more time to drive around the lot near the new practice field waiting for a spot than it does to park a little farther away. And there's an added bonus! You get a little bit more exercise.
So that all may be informed as to the location of these open lots, I'll name a few: the Marriott Center lot, the Bean Museum lot (some of the time), the smaller lot to the north of DT, and if nothing else, the always-empty LaVell Edwards Stadium parking lot. I hope this was helpful.
Tom Coxson
Spanish Fork
Disappointing schedule
Division I college football is becoming less about football and more about making money. Money is important for the program to provide scholarships, equipment, etc., but I am disappointed about the new season opener against a bowl subdivision opponent.
Don't take this the wrong way, I totally support the BYU football team and I think that Bronco has done an amazing job with the team. I feel, however, that their formula for success in the BCS and national recognition is wrong. Scheduling down seemed to be Hawaii's solution to it. They got to a BCS game, got the money, but didn't get any respect before or after the blowout.
The teams that get national recognition are the teams that play good teams and consistently beat them. The non-conference schedule, in my opinion, does not reflect the confidence of a BCS caliber team and is a disappointment for an avid fan: a bowl-subdivision team, two mediocre PAC-10 teams and Utah State. Not the most intimidating group of teams.
I would rather see them play a team from a BCS conference or even from another mid-major conference. It would be great if they played someone like Wisconsin or Illinois (who are still looking for an opponent) to get them into the national spotlight early. This would also help BYU with the horrible TV contract that they have set up with the MWC. Maybe someone outside of Utah could and would care to see the game.
Mike Smith
Beaverton, Ore.
Defend strike
As someone who has been following the writers' strike from the beginning, I was offended at the comment made by Sam Swainhart in Lisa Harding's story on Tuesday. He was quoted as saying, 'I hate the writers and their strike' because he couldn't see new episodes of The Office every week.
For those who feel the same way, I just want to know if they have taken the time to look into why the strike is happening in the first place. These writers aren't striking because they don't want to work; they actually do want to get back to work as soon as possible. They love what they do and hate putting viewers like us through this.
The reason they are striking is simply because they aren't receiving the benefits that they should be, so they are doing the only thing they can to make sure they get what they deserve. Writers are the ones who make the show. They build the framework for the show, as builders would build the frame for a house. We wouldn't have these shows without them. I am not usually a fan of unions, but in this case, I feel the need to defend and support them, and I advise others to do the same.
Tara Lane
Fairport, N.Y.