Online Comments of the Week
In response to "Sid's '80s fails to impress" Sept. 24:While I agree that some more effort can be spent in explaining what will work and will not work, blaming Sid Rich and RUPD for enforcing fire code and evacuating a building is unfair.
RUPD and Sid Rich did a fantastic job in controlling a situation that could have easily gotten out of hand. RUPD evacuated the building twice, both of which involved running up 14 flights of stairs to investigate the cause. They STILL let the party continue. It would have been very easy for them to cancel the party, yet they put in tremendous effort to let us enjoy ourselves. The Sid Rich chief justice, socials and masters deserve a serious round of applause. As does RUPD and everyone who helped.
As someone who assisted in evacuating the building, investigating the source and turning off the alarm, I am amazed that this even made it to print. I have turned off alarms at parties for four years now from 80's to NOD to Casino Party, and in the rare case that they do evacuate, it is serious.
Antarius
In response to "Baker Insitute Student Forum Debates: Arizona Immigration Law" Sept. 24:
While it is true that the federal government has not been diligent in enforcing the current immigration law, it is necessary to mention a few things:
1. The current law gives law enforcement the authority to confront someone for reasonable suspicion that he/she is an illegal immigrant. Furthermore, it does not explicitly define what is reasonable suspicion, which could [emphasis] lead to discrimination. No police officer is going to suspect, say a 25-year-old white male of being an illegal immigrant.
2. It is this discrepancy that the current federal suit against Arizona targets. Pundits who scream the federal government is going out of its way to screw that state over or does not care about its citizens are overlooking the crucial fact that immigration policy needs to be uniform; we can't have Arizona questioning everybody while New Mexico or California do not.
3. If Arizona were to alter the law to state that EVERYONE (this includes people who don't even remotely look like illegal immigrants) must present proof-of-residency upon detention by law enforcement, then the claim of institution of discriminatory behavior disappears and the law is perfectly reasonable.
Humberto Gilmer
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Local Foods launches in newly renovated Brochstein space
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Scan, swipe — sorry
Students may need to swipe their Rice IDs through scanners before entering future public parties, said dean of undergraduates Bridget Gorman. This possible policy change is not finalized, but in discussion among student activities and crisis management teams.
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