Olympics not political

I can't believe all the ranting and raving that has gone on about the Olympic torch. Are you kidding me? First of all, the Olympics have nothing to do with specific countries or what they have and haven't done. It is held in a different country every time it is held. Why would anyone want to boycott the Olympics or any of its events just because it is being held in a certain area of the world? Oh, maybe for personal gain or attention.

We need to look past the politics for once. The Olympic Games are about sports, competition and entertainment, not politics or other hidden agendas. It may be a venue to speak up about certain topics, but when we start talking about boycotting or canceling the games over purely political reasons we need to stop and rethink why we have the Olympic Games. Thank you, President Bush, for remembering that it is about the athletes, not your political platform.

Brennen Brown
Bountiful

Both to blame

I am disappointed that The Daily Universe decided not to address the bias and racial undertones of Abigail Shaha's article on the division wall. But to publish a letter to the editor which repeats the exact same prejudice and ignorance to the situation? "How myopic and distorted," indeed.

I would challenge, strongly, the moral high ground that the writers of "Safer with wall" [April 11] award Israel. A simple Internet search will produce the evidence that outside of the comfortable sphere of our college lives, seemingly obvious truths of Israeli innocence against Palestinian hostility is widely and hotly debated.

I do not claim that the tables are turned, a Palestinian angel versus an Israeli devil, but rather hope that the studious and critical reader of the news will understand that there is a war going on that has no right or reason to claim to be a battle of moral versus amoral, right versus wrong, or one-sided self defense against an incomprehensible and chaotic aggressor. Just like every other war in history, it is a matter of opposing political entities struggling to legitimize and expand their influence where someone else thinks they shouldn't. Both sides are justified and both sides have committed gross violations of human rights.

The solution to this whole ordeal is not the assignation of blame and name calling. It is the struggle to legitimize and recognize the grievances of both parties and work toward a mutual respect for the right of each to exist. Unfortunately, this has been made monumentally more difficult as each side progressively loses confidence in the integrity of the other due to skewed reality, broken promises, hidden agendas and fruitless political dances. The future of the region doesn't seem bright when even our university can't see past the rhetoric.

Cory Stephens
Finksburg, Md.

Random act of kindness

Early last Thursday morning, I woke up with fright, realizing that I had not correctly set my alarm clock. I was about 20 minutes behind schedule, and my ride was coming soon to pick me up for our 30-minute commute to school. I was rushed to get ready and consequently had to skip breakfast. Upon arriving on campus, I was extremely hungry but in a hurry to get to class. I decided to drop by the Cougar Express to get a bagel and be on my way.

I selected my bagel and stepped in line behind a middle-aged woman, who had three items at the register. The cashier asked, "Is that all for you today, ma'am?" The woman initially responded "Yes," but then added, gesturing toward me, "and his, too. He's probably in hurry to get to class." It took me a second to realize what she had offered. She turned to me and said with a smile, "How 'bout a random act of kindness?"

She told me she would pay for the bagel and that I could go. I thanked her, wrapped up my bagel and hastened to class. Since I don't know her name and probably won't see her again - professor, mother, stranger, or whoever she was - I want to publicly thank her for her random act of kindness.

Robert B. Sowby
American Fork

Be polite

I work at a bank. Invariably, at some point throughout the day I will help at least one customer who is upset with the state of their account. Usually it is because their account has been charged overdraft fees. Often times they blame the bank when, in reality, these unpleasant surprises are usually the result of their own forgetfulness and irresponsibility. These customers are not always, but very often, college students.

A prime example of this is a customer who had received overdraft charges totaling approximately $160, resulting from multiple purchases they had made totaling under $30. The customer had no idea that these purchases had overdrawn the account, causing the overdraft fees. In this customer's savings account were funds enough to cover the $30 of purchases many times over, but because they had not kept track of their checking account, they cost themselves an extra $160.

In these situations, the bank is not to blame. The bank's overdraft charges are a wake-up call to customers. Generally, they are a result of the customer either spending more than they have or not keeping track of where their money is located. In both instances, the responsibility lies with the customer.

Overdraft fees are expensive, I agree, but that is just how banks work. If you don't agree with how expensive overdraft charges are, then don't set up the account. Or you could set up the account and not go into the negative. Overdraft charges can be avoided, and the responsibility to do so lies with the customer. So don't yell at the bank teller when you cost yourself money.

Andrew Erickson
Provo

Save the stalls

For those of us that have kids, BYU does a pretty good job of providing facilities around the campus for necessities like diaper changing, but many of the buildings just do not have enough space to install baby changing fixtures in all of their restrooms.

Does everyone know what a wheelchair accessible toilet stall is for? It seems we have developed the attitude that these stalls are available for handicapped persons, but not reserved for them like in parking. These wheelchair accessible stalls are, interestingly enough, also baby stroller accessible. It's frustrating being in a building with one or two known changing tables and upon entering the restroom finding that out of the 3 to 6 stalls there, the handicapped one is occupied, causing me to have to either wait to change my daughter's diaper or run to another building to do it.

Guys, I know that you want privacy. I also know that the spacious floor in those larger stalls makes it easy to read all of The Daily Universe pages at once, but be considerate. I could just change my baby's diaper in public, but to avoid everyone having to watch and smell me do it, just think twice next time you feel like you just have to have the big stall. Save the stalls with the wheelchair and the koala stickers for last, and there will be some happier student-dads at your school. It will help us all breath easier.

Tom Stanley
O'fallon, Mo.

Copyright Brigham Young University 13 Apr 2008