Student expresses his view on reinstating the draft

I was hoping that I would finally make it through an entire semester without ranting about the state of our Union. Alas, it was not to be. My peace of mind was disrupted earlier last week by a startling announcement by New York Representative Charles Rangle.

Rangle, a House Representative from New York, said last Sunday that he would introduce legislation next year to reinstate the draft. Rangle stated that reinstating the draft would bolster troop levels for potential engagements in Iran and North Korea, as well as create a more representative armed forces, which he feels to be too reliant on the lower classes. Rangle also sees the draft as a deterrent for the government, who he is wagering, would think twice before going to war if the draft returned.

This man wants to gamble with the lives of every man from 18 to 42. Americans have already seen first hand that some politicians, i.e. Bush, cannot be swayed once they have made up their minds to go to war, even when presented with evidence that their decision is without merit. Another swell of flag-waving Nationalism like that generated by 9/11 would be more than enough to allow those in power to march countless sons and brothers to their deaths. And for what: to help career politicians seem tough on terror so they get reelected? No thanks.

Logan Watson Political Science Adamsville

Remember people in need during the holiday season

There are many things going during the holidays; shopping, eating, studying, and just getting ready for finals. I don’t know about you, but I always am thinking about all the stuff I need to do and all of the stuff I think I need to make my life better.

I get caught up in my own little world with my own problems and I forget about others. The truth is that I have everything I need to function; water, food, and a roof over my head.

There are a lot of people out in the world, including in Martin, TN who don’t have much at all. Being a college student we know how it feels to not have a lot of money.

I think every student here at UTM can take sometime out of their busy schedule to do something nice for someone else; say thanks to a teacher, give your friend a hug, or just say something nice to a stranger to make them smile. You can make someone’s day a whole lot brighter.

There are many people in Weakly Co who have less then we do. I am writing this letter to remind the students at UTM that we are lucky to be here, furthering our education. Sometimes we forget about the bigger picture of people out in our community.

We need to give back to those people who don’t have much of anything around the holidays. You can put a smile on someone’s face just by doing something simple like holding the door open for a few seconds longer for someone, helping someone pick up a dropped paper, or just smiling at someone as they walk by.

Take a few minutes out of your day to do something nice for someone. Once you do that, you will feel the good that comes from helping others.

Katie Mercuri Communications Chapel Hill