Opinion
 

Letters to the Editor

Note article 54

To the editor:

It has been nearly two weeks now since the "just" war against Iraq was launched by our appointed commander in chief. U.S. forces have advanced into Iraq and are on the verge of attacking Baghdad. But there is something missing from the CNN coverage of the war; something that most of us thought we would see within a couple of days of start of the war: cheering Iraqis greeting U.S. soldiers with open arms.

Although the battle for Baghdad has yet to be won, the condition of the southern city of Basra gives some clues as to why there's not much partying in the streets. Two million residents of this city have been deprived of electricity and water for many days now. How did this happen? I thought we were just targeting military installations. It is a known fact that during the 1991 Gulf War, U.S.-led forces deliberately targeted water facilities to put pressure on Saddam. We were told this time it was going to be different, but somehow millions of civilians are mysteriously being forced to drink polluted river water. 

Article 54 of the Geneva Convention clearly states: "It is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove, or render useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population ..." Seeing that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was quick to recite rights and privileges of prisoners of war, maybe he should also think about the 2 million thirsty Iraqis who are hoping he remembers article 54 as well.

If the administration really wishes to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, maybe it should take concrete steps in delivering what it promised.

Ahmed Abdullah, 
senior, computer science

Hip-pop

To the editor:

I agree with Zach Lee's column "Hip-hop in state of emergency," (Opinion, Wednesday). I never understood that Master P junk either. Sure, it sounds good when youire half-drunk, but that doesn't mean it has skills. Hip-hop is now just hip-pop. I can count on one hand the number of talented lyricists left in the game. The others just rhyme about "ice" and "dubs." Even half-decent rappers have fallen pray to this genre of nonsense. 

Kenenna Nwokedi,
junior, economics

Letters to the editor are welcome from all members of the UH community and should focus on issues, not personalities. Letters must be typed and must include the author's name, telephone number and affiliation with the University. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, language and space. Letters may be delivered in person to Room 151, Communication; e-mailed to dclettrs@mail.uh.edu ; or faxed to (713) 743-5384.Send comments to dccampus@mail.uh.edu