Mad about Morrissey
If anything is pretentious, it's [the Morrissey] review, not Morrissey's lyrics [Rock, Oct. 1995]. As a fan, I must inform the reviewer that the new album blows Vauxhall and I away! Maybe it
isn't as pretty as Vauxhall, but Morrissey ain't pretty, and Southpaw Grammar is the superior album. The "lush pop melodies" of Vauxhall were muffled and boring. The more powerful sound of Southpaw brings me out of my seat.
The review surprised me. Meanwhile, fans are happy as hell, and Morrissey is preparing to tour with David Bowie in the U.K.
Carl E. Villarreal, junior U. of Texas,Austin
I'd like to express my sadness at the review of Morrissey's new Southpaw Grammar. Morrissey is a talented artist who has been around for years. Compare him with other talentless bands, and he comes up No. 1 every time. Admittedly, the Smiths are of a higher caliber, but you can't disrespect Morrissey just because you don't feel his pain.
Eva Svec, sophomore,
U. of Western Ontario, Canada
Eva read the Morrissey review on the U. Magazine web site. For more reviews and lots of other stuff that didn't fit in the magazine, check it out: http://www.umagazine.com — ed.
Tenure, tenure
Thanks so much for your article "Riding on the Tenure Track" [Oct. 1995]. It was very informative and showed why tenured professors are often dull. Now I know the politics of acquiring tenure, and I'm very sorry this is how the system works. After all, a professor's job is to teach students. Colleges should have the finest teachers (not necessarily researchers) achieving tenure. I used to want to be a professor, but now I'm not sure I'd be willing to play their game.
Andrew Norris, junior, U. of Tennessee, Knoxville
The article about tenure is disturbing but true. If professors have the option of quitting whenever they want to, universities should have the option of dismissing professors whenever they want to. I find it humorous that the emphasis is placed on research and publishing instead of teaching ability.
knowledge in class than in obscure journals nobody reads.
If research isn't effectively passed on to students, it's useless to them. Research is important, but it's far more important to be able to convey
Berkeley,
April McClory, junior Bowling Green State U., Ohio
Berkley, whatever
In the October 1995 issue, you featured a story on a female wrestler ["Can't Pin Her Down"]. The article said she attended Berkeley High School
Block the vote
[Regarding "Poll Vault," Nov. 1995], I've given up finding a party I like and resorted to voting for a deadlock. One party in Congress, the other in the White House. At least if the government is consumed in partisan squabbling it won't be able to pass any new laws to screw me over.
in Huntington Woods, Mich. The school is Berkley High, and it's in Berkley, Mich. Other than that, I enjoy your mag very much.
Steven D. Urban, U.of Michigan law school
How about this for next month's poll question: "Do you think it's time for a revolution?" I bet you'd be surprised how many of us are just completely sick and tired of our sorry excuse for a government of, for and by the people.
Brad Hill, sophomore Michigan State U.
Reefer Madness
In "High Time for a Change" [October 1995], Frank Calhoon, assistant director of the health center at the U. of Texas, Arlington, made a few outlandish comments, including that under the effects of marijuana, "you have no drive for anything." This simply isn't true. There are millions of very productive marijuana users. The notion that a joint will remove my desire to get off my ass is absurd.
He also had the gall to declare, "The stuff now is at least 10 to 20 times more
powerful than the old stuff [from the '60s]." Has the cannabis species somehow mutated in the past 30 years?
Marijuana does not cause brain damage. Marijuana is not addictive. You cannot overdose on marijuana. Marijuana is not
laced with heroin or PCP (it isn't cost-effective for the dealer).
Calhoon's rhetoric had no business being published in your magazine. He isn't a reliable source.
anonymous,
U. of Maryland, College Park
Re-Reefer
Madness
In response to the letter from "anonymous," I have a few things to add. First, it's a matter of study and record that chronic [marijuana] use can lead to reduced productivity, motivation and drive. Second, the growing techniques and the hybridization of the plant have produced a much more powerful plant. Finally, marijuana does not contain substances, such as PCP or heroin. But that's not to say somebody couldn't lace it or put an additive in it. I guess you have to trust that your dealer isn't slipping you something you don't know about.
Frank Calboon, assistant director, U. of Texas,
Arlington health center
Hey, Frank, sorry for spelling your name wrong in the October issue. It was a shameless error and we believe 30 lashes with the wet corporate noodle are in order. — ed.
You guys rule! This is the mag we have been waiting for on campus for as long as I can remember. Keep up the most excellent work and stay on the edge — you guys and gals look good riding the rail!
Jorge Diaz (a.k.a. Hacksaw),
grad student, Florida Int'l U., Miami
Work for U.
Ask about our assistant editor program. E-mail: editor @umagazine.com Applications due Jan.26,1995.
U. Polls
Knowing what you know now, would you choose the same college?
Lights on or lights off?
Liberal or conservative?
Conservative: 55%
Liberal: 36%
Other: 10%
800/6U-VIEWS (688-4397) More polls at http://www.umagazine.com
I consider myself intelligent, informed and intellectual, which would automatically mean that I'm a liberal. Brad Nation, senior, U. of Oklahoma • In 1996, Clinton and Gore will fall. Phillip Angus, senior, U. of Northern Colorade • More conservative, or whatever Colin Powell is. Victor Scamardo, junior, U. of Arkansas • I think the majority of people in our generation are liberal. I believe that in the next decade there will be a huge increase in the number of liberals and a decrease in conservatives. Meegan Glaser, sophomore, Washington State U. • I'm more middle-of-the-road than strongly for one side or the other. I think most people my age feel the same way I do because we grew up watching nothing change for the better. Both parties have had their shot at either the presidency or controlling Congress, and we got nothing. Nathan Byrne, freshman, U. of Missouri, Columbia • I am liberal by current standards, but conservative when it comes to the Constitution. Sam Meyer, sophomore, lithaca College, N.Y. • I'm progressive more than liberal. Liberal has some negative connotations. I want some positive changes to be made that would include all people, not just the rich and privileged. Mona Ables, senior, U. of Alabama, Birmingham • I don't believe a one-word description is adequate to describe one whole ideology and belief. So I'm neither liberal nor conservative. I just have facets of both. Dave Zatz, senior, U. of Maryland • I'm conservative. Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich are the best things to happen to this country. Jon Denny, sophomore, U. of North Dakota • I primarily label myself as liberal, but as far as my voting record is concerned, I am first and foremost a thinker. Adam Smargon, senior, U. of Florida
Do you have a name for your "thingy?" Yes: 95% No: 5%
Of all the weird-ass names you guys came up with for your "thingies," these three popped up the most often: Stanley the Power Tool, Mr. Happy and Russell the Love Muscle. Here are some of the more unusual entries:
Party Torpedo. Chris Hinkley, junior, Eastern Michigan U. • Jojo. Michael Bowman, sophomore, Illinois State U. • Uncle Freddy. John Clift, freshman, Ohio U. • Pipa for girls and Pipo for boys. Helen Rocha, sophomore, U. of Lauren, Calif. • Pepe the Cuban Love Sausage. Ted Elliot, senior, Eastern Kentucky U. • Little Elvis. Mike Moser, senior, U. of Minnesota. • Garden weasel of love, for my boyfriend's Melissa Jacobs, freshman, Mills College, Calif. • Nigel. Ben Underwood, sophomore, Kansas State. • Fred, because my girlfriend's name for hers is Wilma. Juan Albatale, freshman, U. of North Florida. • Tarzan. Andy Redalen, freshman, U. of Missouri, Columbia. • No, but the phrase "Oh, God" seems to come up a whole lot. Celline Harris, senior, U. of New Mexico. • Tommy Stout. Warren Johnson, senior, U. of Mississippi. • Mr. Bubba. Keith Johnson, grad student, U. of North Florida. • I call my thingy Hope, after the diamond, because everybody wants it, but no one can seem to get their hands on it. Kristi Moffett, Junior, George Mason U., Va. • Elvis. Travis Scritner, senior, Fuller State U., Fla. • Chilly Willy, Jeremy Brynes, senior, State U. of New York, Carland. • Mr. Salty. Mike Luescher, senior, Florida State U. • Scammy the Fire Drill. Paul Rassnusse, junior, California State U., Sacramento. • One-Eyed Gila Monster. Chris Chudik, junior, Northern Arizona U. • Sausage, but pronounced like "saissue." Ben Thompson, freshman, U. of Southern California. • The Pillar Of Fury, Adam Stonewall, senior, U. of Arizona. • The Dwarf. Nichole Fromm, freshman, U. of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. • Stop asking stupid questions. You sound like little babies. Bob Barth, freshman, thaca College, N.Y. • Supersoaker. Cho Chompjin, freshman, U. of California, Davis • Herman. Pat Comeaux, junior, Louisiana State U. • Bernie. Josh Evans, junior, Southern Illinois U.
December 1995·U. Magazine
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