University capitalizing on what was charity trend, can make money with bake sale

While most organizations that have developed bracelets have done so to benefit medical causes or to support our troops, it doesn’t surprise me the university is capitalizing on the opportunity to make money for itself (“University jumps on trendy ‘Livestrong’ bandwagon,” Dec. 9). Also not surprising is how far behind the curve it is in selling bracelets – the market is pretty saturated.

Why not just have a bake sale outside Comcast Center to raise money? The university can sell the brownies, cookies and red fruit punch it serves at graduations at dining hall prices, and it would still be less expensive than food inside the arena.

Ryan McGrath

University graduate

Class of 2003

Personal attacks do not compensate for lack of argument; Kraus is a good leader

So let me see if I can get this straight. According to Aaron Taylor, Student Government Association President Aaron Kraus is a childish idiot, fool, whiner, laughingstock of the student body and lacks integrity or intelligence (“Column was correct; Kraus is not good role model for leadership as SGA president,” Dec. 9). I’m sorry, but the last time I checked, ad hominem attacks did not serve as valid rebuttals to arguments. In fact, I found such attacks to be the real “childish idiot” behaviors the author criticized Kraus for maintaining. Throughout the course of the year, Kraus has told me about plans to work on redistricting College Park to give students the voting rights they deserve. He’s also managed to successfully extend an olive branch to Gov. Bob Ehrlich, and he’s actually doing audits of university offices. Don’t get me wrong; I often disagree with Kraus’ political stances, but I think he has been an informed and active leader on the campus. Maybe it would be an appropriate time to suggest we stop the “childish idiot” attacks.

Bryan Shuy

Senior

Government and politics

Dreidel spinning was more than just a record, it brought a sense of pride with it

While there was clearly a passion for setting a world record of 1,708 dreidels that motivated 524 students to brave a rainstorm and forgo studying for finals, something else brought them out (“Dueling dreidels,” Dec. 10). At first, I missed it as the hubbub of the moment blurred my vision. Hillel Center filled up, the dreidels dispersed and the sensation amplified. The Hanukkah lights burned brightly and communal warmth emanated as I stood on a chair to kick off the contest.

And then I saw it: I observed a community filled with pride, a crowd of Terps with smiles all over their faces. There was a passion for Jewish celebration along with the badge of honor of belonging to the university. Our students did not simply sit on the floor and spin dreidels; they proved to themselves and the public they are capable of accomplishing what they set their hearts on. Sometimes the university is the object of scorn because of rude behavior and raucous crowds. Students wrote a different story with a happier ending Thursday night. Now Testudo can surely beam as brightly as the menorah.

Rabbi Ari Israel

Director

Hillel