I note with some small interest the almost willful misinterpretation by Mr. Carter Kessler of Dr. Gary Bertsch’s remarks at yesterday’s Founder’s Day lecture.

Dr. Bertsch himself noted in his presentation that there were those who have co-opted the expression “New World Order” for their own particularly narrow-minded purposes, and their isolationist agenda. He also took pains to note specifically that he was not in favor of a single world government.

Our best chance at success for the “Rising Hope of Our Land” is for people to pay attention to what is actually being said in any discussion of great issues, rather than by leaping to conclusions unsupported by what was actually said.

Gilbert Head
Graduate student
Athens, art history

Professor a man of ‘scholarship’

The letter from Mr. Carter Kessler today regarding Professor Gary Bertsch was so bizarre that specific comments on the remarks are not really required.

Professor Bertsch is one of the very finest faculty members at this university. Above all, he is a man of the highest integrity and scholarship, and a man who epitomizes the term “gentleman.”

All of us have much to learn from him.

Ian hardin
Faculty, Athens
textile chemistry

Story excludes victim’s side

Whether the article “Fraternity cleared in party accident lawsuit” published on Jan. 25 strived to protect Sigma Chi, or Carey O’Neil simply didn’t do his research, I cannot fathom why a UGA paper would fail to represent the victim’s story.

Although the decision of the fraternity’s consequences rests in the court, is it not vital to let the students of UGA know the truth? Shouldn’t we be aware of the risk we take when we attend these fraternity parties? And, above all, shouldn’t we strive to put a stop to “accidents” like this?

For the future reputation of UGA Greek life and the University as a whole, I feel as though we should acknowledge the victim and her family instead of selfishly worrying about the outcome of a fraternity that was obviously in the wrong.

If you would like to publish a story more “up to date” with facts, please feel free to contact the mother of the victim. Until then, I am prepared, as well fellow students, to petition.

Amy Johnson
Freshman, Loganville
Undecided

Students tweeting ‘inappropriate’

Now I for one am all about expressing your opinions freely on any issue, and not limiting that expression to race, but the “If I was white at UGA” Twitter trending topic was absolutely appalling.

Apparently black students have a lot to say about the white students behaviors and actions on this university campus.
Being a black/hispanic student myself, I find this thought process ignorant and futile.

Let’s not forget that white students make up the majority of the students at this university and within most universities.
Do not lash out due to failures of your peers from your “black” neighborhoods who chose not to apply themselves and make it out of “the ghetto.” Intelligence is colorblind.

YOU took a campus tour, YOU looked at other colleges, YOU APPLIED and YOU could have gone to another school.
Do not forget that you did not accept this university, but this university ACCEPTED you.

At a university so willing to allow and accept such a large diverse population of students, and allowing those students to organize and celebrate their diversity through student activites, everyone should be ashamed of themselves for causing such ignorant stir.

Laughing at white people and tweeting in class is not going to improve your GPA or make the white students numbers dwindle.

We have a black president and first lady, and I can guarantee you that Barack Obama was not sitting in his seat at Columbia University making fun of the white kid wearing a blazer next to him — he was probably shaking his hand.

Phillip Henry
Senior, Douglasville
biology

Tanning tax good idea for economy

I enjoyed your piece on a proposed tax on tanning bed services. As a luxury item, I don’t really have a problem with this relatively small (10%) tax.

In this economy, the people who can still afford paying for this service are probably not going to be deterred by paying an extra dollar.

Also in your article you quoted our esteemed senators. Since they are opposed to all taxes (even those to pay for the wars or reduce the deficit), it was fun to see them jump to the defense of the tanning industry. Chambliss’ response was particularly humorous.

As an avid golfer who spent about $250,000 last year on getting a real tan while smacking a little white ball, he warned, “While I … believe it is an unhealthy habit, I am not supportive of raising taxes on the backs of hardworking Americans…”

Chambliss may be right about the dangers of artificial tanning, but what does he know about hardworking Americans?

Don McAdam
Manager, North American Money Order
Sandy Springs