Some professors master the balance between research and teaching

As a graduating senior this spring, I have had my fair share of quarters where I felt like nothing more than a number. I remember asking the Math 124 professor, who will remain anonymous, in my first class fall quarter of freshman year when his office hours were and being told to go ask my TA when [his or hers] were.

Despite this, I would like to name two professors who have proven otherwise. While I have taken classes from many good professors, both Jon Mercer and Tony Gill are excellent examples of professors who proved to their students that they wanted them to learn. It was beyond a paycheck to them. I felt as if they truly enjoyed teaching, no matter what level the students were, freshman through graduate.

Rob Toledo

Senior, political science

Rants against Republicans need to get fresher

I have read Hunter Kincaid's opinion pieces this year and realized something about them: There is never anything new to read. Every time a politician even slightly right of center opens his or her mouth, Kincaid finds a reason to write something negative.

Like many Americans, I am fed up with the corruption in the federal government and the Bush Administration. I do not, however, see anything constructive in Kincaid's method of criticism. When a person only applies the rules to a specific group, but not to him or herself or those he or she agrees with, we call that a double standard.

Maybe if Kincaid was able to admit that Democrats have made mistakes and to criticize politicians on his side of the aisle, his arguments about Republicans would have more weight behind them. Without some attempt at balance, there is no reason for Kincaid to keep criticizing politicians. It's time to take a hint from a Web site I'm sure Kincaid visits often: Move On!

Jeremy Sandler

Senior, biology, International studies, Jewish studies

Battle Royale misses the mark on race

I was mildly shocked by the Battle Royale in the May 10 sports section — specifically the question, "Is the way people perceive Barry Bonds race related?" My initial response is, "Duh!" Not only is he an African American man in the spotlight, but he is under scrutiny in a game that has history with race relations. The story of Jackie Robinson notwithstanding, African Americans are underrepresented in Major League Baseball. To say that the way people perceive him is not race related is akin to denying that we have problems with race relations in the United States. Though some may argue that we have come a long way, I don't believe anyone would say that we have solved all of our problems.

Secondly, I was shocked that The Daily would pose this kind of question to four non-African Americans. Who are we to say whether race is a lens through which we perceive someone? I think life has proven that each and every one of us has some racial stereotypes that we struggle with. Further, not a single person was willing to say, "Yes, a black man playing in a sport dominated by white men will always be perceived, at least in part, by the color of his skin." Two of your responders even answered with heat, perhaps defensively.

Unless The Daily gets a little perspective and maybe does a little soul-searching, we are all going to be a little worse off.

Kevin Hanes

Junior, extended pre-major

Have NBA players gotten too soft?

I agree with Maks Goldenshteyn that the NBA has gotten too soft. However, he has picked the worst possible point on which to center that argument in his May 15 article "Bowen is tripping ... again, and the NBA is to blame."

The fact that NBA players are too soft is evidenced by the way they whine for a foul after every missed shot. The best basketball would be balance between the finesse of today and the tough grinding of the '80s. But no matter the style, Bruce Bowen's tactics have no place in the game. I have no problem with hard fouls and physical play, but attempting to injure other players is simply wrong and cowardly. Goldenshteyn makes him out to be a romanticized "old school" player, and I could accept that if he, say, went up and fouled Amare Stoudemire hard as he tried to dunk. But no, Bowen takes a cowardly swipe at a guy's foot while he's defenseless.

Secondly, whether or not you think Bowen's tactics are acceptable, these two incidents that are crux of Goldenshteyn's argument, Bowen's Achilles kick and knee to the groin, make no sense as arguments that the NBA is making its players soft because it did nothing to discipline Bowen afterward. Officials didn't even review the Achilles kick, and they assessed the knee to the groin as flagrant 1 foul, a tiny slap on the wrist. No suspension or fine. So the NBA not punishing the dirtiest player in the league is evidence that the NBA is making its players soft? Logic anyone?

Shaun Stoddard

Alumnus, English, 2006

Animals not needed for product testing

In response to the recent series on animal testing, while I personally argue that using other species for our advancement in any way is ethically wrong, I can see how many people support it. However, the cruelty involved and the needlessness of testing on animals for cosmetic and household purposes is not nearly as disputed. By law, a company must demonstrate a product's safety, but nowhere are animals needed for this.

I urge readers of The Daily to seek out cruelty-free options: Check out www.caringconsumer.com or stop by the Campus Animal Rights Educators (CARE) table for a cruelty-free pocket guide. CARE can also be reached at myspace.com/careuw or careuw@u.washington.edu.

Alisse Cassell

Sophomore, pre-engineering