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Opinion
 

Letters to the Editor

Students should take stand against Coke 

To the editor:

I was excited to see Timothy O'Brien's article "Help put an end to Coca-Cola's crimes" (Opinion, Thursday) in the paper. I have personally been boycotting Coke since September when I first heard about what they were doing to the union workers in Colombia.

Now that I know the truth, I can't believe how many students aren't even aware about what the company has been doing, not only in Colombia, but in other parts of the world, too. I refuse to purchase any of the Coca-Cola products sold on and off campus, including Dasani water. Sometimes it's hard because Coke products are so readily available to us, but it's for a good cause. More students should educate themselves and take a stand.
 

Chantelle du Plessis, 
hotel and restaurant management senior

Coca-Cola not responsible for murders of union members

To the editor:

Timothy O'Brien's article "Help put an end to Coca-Cola's crimes" (Opinion, Thursday) inaccurately portrays the events involving Colombian union members.

I lived in Colombia as a professor and researcher and visited many of Coca-Cola's plants. Just because a paramilitary organization murders a union leader, it is not necessarily related to Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola is staunchly against the guerrilla movement and a supporter of drug eradication in Colombia. So let's think: union leader working at Coca-Cola; Coca-Cola is against guerrilla movement; Coca-Cola supports illegal drug eradication; guerrilla movement gets its money from the trafficking of drugs; union leaders are very vocal and visible. There may be another side to the story. 

How many Colombian citizens have been murdered by paramilitary groups in the last 20 years? That might also bring another perspective.

I do applaud O'Brien's enthusiasm. 

Lawrence J. H. Schulze
associate professor of 
industrial engineering/
visiting professor, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana,
Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia 

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 Anonymous letters will not be published.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 151C, Communication; e-mailed to dclettrs@mail.uh.edu ; or faxed to (713) 743-5384.