No fan left behind
Brandon Bettis wants all the fair-weather fans who were at the Iowa game to stay home this weekend. Apparently he wants the student section to be empty by the third quarter like usual.
For those who weren't there Saturday, our Devils put on a hell of a show. So go out and get a ticket for [the next] game.
The team seems to appreciate the support, and even if you don't care about football, it's definitely the biggest party in town. The more fans -- fair-weather or not -- the better.
-Alex Barry,
painting senior
Ironing out laundry protest
It's unfortunate that students didn't take the time to find out more information before demonstrating in front of our Phoenix laundry plant [Wednesday] afternoon.
Had students taken the time to contact us and request a tour of our facility, we would have been in a better position to consider their request, as plant tours are not commonplace in industrial facilities and require advance notice and coordination.
While federal regulations prohibit us from disclosing information about any employee's medical history, to our knowledge, the incident described in [Sept. 23] article (regarding Mr. Zarate) never took place.
While a needle-stick is an uncommon occurrence, in the event it happens, it is standard procedure for an employee to receive appropriate medical care on site and not to be taken to the hospital.
Soiled linen from our health care clients is handled with the highest safety precaution by our well-trained employees. With this, and with everything we do, ensuring the safety of our employees is our top priority.
--Liz Remillong,
Sodexho Laundry Services
Ty column right on
Bravo to Ty Thompson for his article regarding smear campaigns against public officers. Even though I find myself disagreeing with Ty's opinions more often than not, I completely agree with the content of his article.
When we look at each other, we should see Americans first and Democrats or Republicans second. In this new age of fear and uncertainty, our common bonds as Americans are the only things that will keep us together.
Please think about that the next time you put on a "Bush = Terrorist" shirt or a "Hanoi John" button.
-Alan Schoenrock,
Biology sophomore
Devil Dish hard to swallow
Saw your article regarding Tyler Hamilton's presumed guilt for blood doping, and you ended saying: how much proof do we need? That's an understandable reaction, but for me and many of my friends who have been in cycling and follow it, this is just too weird a case to believe.
If you know of Tyler, you're aware that he is one of the most approachable, communicative and straightforward cycling superstars ... He devotes a lot of time to charitable causes and writes some of the best public diary accounts of what it's like to be racing and training at his level in Europe.
So many people feel like he's family. Everyone who is close to him feels that the testing results are just impossible and incongruent with who Tyler is. This includes a close friend of mine who was his coach back in Tyler's collegiate cycling days.
Also, if you've been involved with any cycling administration, you know that there can be a lot of incompetence that comes into play. Given all that, I have to hold Tyler innocent in my thoughts for the time being.
Truth be told, even if it was proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was guilty, I would still sincerely respect him as a person for all that he contributes on and off the bike. I don't feel that even guilt would take that away, just bruise things for a while.
--Adam Asnes,
citizen
Don't believe everything you read
Your hasty conclusion [about Tyler Hamilton's doping] may be correct. To rely on just this new test to convict Tyler is a bit unfair. Let's wait until a second method either confirms or refutes the charges. It's the scientific way, the lawful way and the American way. As a future journalist, make it your way.
--Bill Davidson,
citizen
Keeping a handle on bicycle theft
In an effort to address the epidemic problem of bicycle theft on the ASU main campus, I would like to propose that Monday, Oct. 4 be Bring Your Bike To Class Day.
If the University is unable to provide safe and secure parking facilities for bicycles, then perhaps students and faculty should bring their bikes to class so that they can (at least for one day) learn in a secure environment without fear of having their bikes stolen.
No need to rely on University police or fellow students to watch out for your bike, just bring it to class with you and eliminate the possibility that you will become a victim.
--Tamara Shipley,
ASU graduate student
