Letters to the Editor

>What have you done?

I am writing in response to the letter to the editor written by Gita Byraiah, "Donate Wisely," in the Friday Daily.

First, I am wondering how much money she has personally raised to help support the "countless children that are malnourished or suffering from AIDS." My guess is that she hasn't raised anything, but is rather trying to discount the amazing philanthropic event held by a fraternity.

It should be known that fraternities do more than just party. Jail 'N Bail is the largest on campus fund-raiser that has raised more than $180,000 over its 12 year history and over $38,500 this year alone.

I am a proud and devoted member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and we have worked very hard to build up Jail 'N Bail to everything that it is today. Instead of discrediting the outstanding accomplishments that we have made, Byraiah should discredit the rest of the University for not doing the same.

People need to rise up and take on these needs in our community and in our world. We have done just that, taken on the cause of empowering individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities by raising money for Special Olympics. We can't solve every issue or situation, but what we can do is put forth our best effort to help those that are less fortunate, as Special Olympics does. 

So I ask you again, Gita Byraiah, what have you done lately to take on these issues of the world? You have insulted Sigma Alpha Epsilon, the University Police Department, the Minneapolis Police Department, Special Olympics and countless other people. Next time you want to insult an organization, I would ask that you rather focus your energy toward something better, such as helping the "countless children that are malnourished or suffering from AIDS."

Until then, I suggest you pay respects to the people that have stood up and taken an initiative to make a difference in this world.

James DePoint

University undergraduate

Photo in poor taste

It is unfortunate that the only thing worthwhile that your photographer Brie Cohen found to capture during the annual Jail 'N Bail event was one of your police department's officers cleaning up after her horse.

The Jail 'N Bail event is an annual event that raises money and awareness for Special Olympics Minnesota, and it is something that your newspaper should be proud to promote. The members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and the University Police Department deserve to be portrayed in a much better light.

This year, the event raised more than $37,000 and still counting. These organizations are proud of their past and present accomplishments, as well they should. They truly are making a difference in people's lives.

It is too bad that your organization doesn't see it that way.

Jennifer Fordham

supporter of Special Olympics Minnesota Athletes

The extra effort

Sandi Sherman makes some valid points in her April 11 guest column concerning University health benefits ("U faltering on health-care benefits").

In particular, it is not fair to blame the general public for the high cost of health care in this country. Over the last 60 years, the health-care industry has become more and more commercialized and the general public now has little or no influence on how the system is designed.

As Sherman points out, the high health-care costs are largely related to the fact that we have allowed excess administrative costs, excess prices and excess capacity to exist. And she is correct when she states that it will take "aggressive efforts" to correct things at this point.

A growing number of analysts and citizens feel that this can happen only if our governments (state and federal) get more involved in the regulation of the medical/industrial complex. This opinion was stated by Dr. Sheila Leatherman of the University of North Carolina School of Public Health in an SPH lecture here April 6 (Sheila is an internationally respected expert in the field and former Minnesota health plan executive).

However, our elected officials are often confused by the complexity of this issue and often misinformed by health-care industry rhetoric. It will take a broad-based citizen effort to accomplish the radical changes that we need. Hats off to Sherman for her contribution to the public conversation.

James Hart

School of Public Health faculty member