Best commentaries of spring 2000

Other buildings as important as SSPA

The purpose of our news story was not to complain because we have problems breathing down here in the basement, or that our staff members get sick from foul air.

Having to breathe air contaminated by toxic fumes for hours on end is not a requirement of any academic program. Yet, that's what we may be doing down here and in other buildings on campus.

Media reporting is about bringing important issues to the public's attention and the health of every member of the Cal State Long Beach community is important.

Administration and facilities management officials have to realize that air quality is a matter of life or death. They are just as responsible for our health as the tobacco companies are responsible for hooking smokers on nicotine.

We don't want to imply that any building, whether new or old, air-conditioned or not, is safer than this basement or that our situation is worse than any other on campus is.

The Peterson Hall Buildings are old. They house chemistry and other science laboratories in which chemicals and other toxic materials are used and housed. The air quality there is just as important to us as ours. Are they checked regularly for leaks?

Because of the stories in this newspaper, the administration is aware of the need to check air quality in every building on campus.The university has hired Healthy Buildings International to give us an accurate and unbiased report on the state of things. Will they tell us the truth?
Students and faculty spend hours in some of these buildings and need to be assured that toxic fumes are not slowly poisoning them.

This story ran in its entirety March 13.
 

LETTER

Rape story disturbs student

The rape did not disturb me, but the way the paper chose to report the  incident, when it obviously did not have all the information, does disturb me.

Out of respect for those involved, I am limited in what I can say about what I know to be the facts and how I know them.

However, I can say that it was unfair to those involved, especially your unidentified male, to cause an uproar around campus about this incident. Yes, it has caused an uproar.

Since Wednesday, I can't tell you how many people are gossiping about the situation and coming to conclusions about what really happened.

Was she drunk? Was he drunk? Was he sober? Were they alone? Was there a party? Is Parkside Commons now a dangerous place to live because of the rape?

These are questions that should not have been discussed because it is none of these people's business.

I'm not saying people shouldn't be aware of a rape situation but the Forty-Niner has made this situation out to be a mad rapist roaming the campus. This is not the case and obviously the Forty-Niner reporters don't know this.

If you do know this, why wouldn't you write an article discussing some of the real issues such as being responsible when you drink, or being aware of the situations you put yourself into, and whom you chose trust and surround yourself with? Don't misunderstand me because I'm not saying it was her fault. All people must  be aware of the situation they are putting themselves into.

I was again disturbed by the articles in Thursday's paper and the questions posed to students on campus about what they thought of the reported rape.

How can you expect them to respond when the information they were given was limited.

You waited almost two weeks to mention the rape so if it wasn't important to you to speak about right after it happened, maybe you should have waited another two weeks when you would have been better informed and received more accurate facts, or at least worded them better.

Do you really think the unidentified male and female involved aren't known?

Remember, rumors fly faster than a forest fire so your articles have already done damage to those involved.

By the way, I live on-campus and I have no reason to fear for my safety now or before the rape. I feel the dorms are safe and an enjoyable experience and not where the problems are or begin.

-- Kaci Sewell, sophomore, psychology

This letter ran in its entirety April 5.

More masturbation healthy

Think about it, masturbation is the safest sex a person can have. There's no guilt, no angry partner and no backlash (unless you do a poor job on yourself).

While most people don't like to talk about the dirty deed, it needs to be addressed.  Is there a safer method of sex? It's just a hand and your private part.

Then there are always the sex toys from porn shops. It just depends on one's preference. But if you're going to go that route, you might as well pick up some magazines as well.

But I'm sick of going to Tower Records or a 7-Eleven and getting a frown just for buying a nasty book. It never fails. The clerk (especially if female) will always look at me like I'm about to commit a crime.

Why? I just want to have some fun.

Maybe the next time I buy my Playboy I'll just buy some petroleum jelly and toilet paper as well. I'm sure the clerks would love that. Virgins would also be helped by masturbation. They could hold out even longer, making their peers respect them even more.

AIDS and HIV rates will be dramatically decreased if people would just relax and spend some time with themselves.

Rape would also decrease as well if masturbation were taught in schools. Unfortunately, that may never happen.

Too many groups frown on taking matters into one's own hands.  I know religion and parents frown upon masturbation, but we all as groups can think for ourselves. That's why we go to college right?  And if you disagree with masturbation, don't practice it. But don't deny others their right to enjoy it. But some things you should watch out for include masturbating too much.

It can ruin your sex drive and make you lazy. More than three times a day can be a bit too taxing on the body.

-- Wes Woods II, Daily Forty-Niner city editor

This story ran in its entirety Jan. 24.