Letters To The Editor
LABOUR HYPOCRITE?
Dear Madam,
I did so much enjoy reading your article about former OUSU President Kirsty McNeill being selected as a Labour parliamentary candiate especially after she features so prominently, and unflatteringly, in Private Eye's latest edition.
She's quoted as saying Tony Blair "has headed the best government this country has ever had." The Eye goes on to note her previous thoughts as President of OUSU which she voiced to Tony Blair in Oxford a mere two years ago.
Among the choice phrases Kirsty apparently wheeled out from behind the security barriers were: "Tony Blair's a Tory, he wears a Tory's hat, and when he sees my grant check he says I'm having that!" An amazing U-turn I am sure you would agree.
Martin Kornicki
Lincoln College
DISCRIMINATED AGAINST
Dear Madam,
As a male finalist, I am rather aggrieved to find that your paper believes I should be discriminated against. Last week's editorial compared this university unfavourably with institutions where women are twice as likely to get a First as men and calling the former "outdated."
The endorsement of a candidate who believes Oxford should for this reason become more like other universities in this respect is disturbing. If the job of the VP (Women) is to be campaigning for discrimination against men, perhaps we should have a vote in her election?
Jack Gunning
Pembroke College
PUBLICITY STUNT
Dear Madam,
I must question your front-page on Matthew Sellwood's attempts to disrupt the visit of the Chinese Prime Minister. I do not question the morality of the action, it was nothing more than a highly obvious attempt to boost his campaign for the council elections.
I would have thought the Editor would have exercised just an ounce of discretion to prevent a man who is now facing criminal charges from gaining free publicity with the majority of his electorate.
Daniel Rees
Merton College
COLD SHOWER NEEDED
Dear Madam,
So Lucy Underwood's stance is "dangerous." I really must thank The Oxford Student for clarifying this issue.
You see, I used to think that it was dangerous to be in favour of abortion, given that 180,000 defenceless unborn children are killed each year in the UK alone.
What kind of society kills unborn children because they are disabled, or because they are inconvenient for the mother?
Abortion is often used as a get-out for couples who refuse to take responsibility for their own actions.
Sexual intercourse is a procreative act: if you can't deal with the consequences, then take a cold shower instead.
Niall Gooch
Oriel College
SECURITY THREAT?
Dear Madam,
In your recent editorial you highlight the danger posed to students by people such as Lucy Underwood who identify themselves as pro-life, rather than subscribing to the pro-choice stance of the OUSU Women's Campaign.
Underwood suggested OUSU ought not to have any policy on such contentious issues, thus avoiding the security threat you highlight, where some students find themselves completely at odds with OUSU policy.
However, as you point out, we must not underestimate the danger posed to us by those whose beliefs are different from our own.
Perhaps, in view of this danger, the Nightbus hours ought to be extended to cover the daytime as well, so students could phone for the bus when they see Miss Underwood coming.
Sarah Taylor
St Hilda's College
20th May 2004