LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

[November 29th, 2006] DREAM WEAVERS

I have spent some time reading over the two articles and the online comments surrounding "Carlos," the "Illegal Scholar" [WW, Nov. 15, 2006]. One thing that sticks out for me is the lack of attention paid to the DREAM Act, which is really at the root of this emotionally charged discussion. What is the DREAM Act? I went online and found a resource: nilc.org/immlawpolicy/DREAM/index.htm.

The act is rather simple. Quoting from the website: "The DREAM Act would enact two major changes in current law:

*Permit certain immigrant students who have grown up in the U.S. to apply for temporary legal status and eventually obtain permanent status and become eligible for citizenship if they go to college or serve in the U.S. military; and

*Eliminate a federal provision that penalizes states that provide in-state tuition without regard to immigration status."

The DREAM Act doesn't look to benefit law breakers, it looks to increase the number of bright, dedicated students in the American higher education system, while creating a path to citizenship for those who put in the hard work needed to achieve a degree or serve in the military.

From a perspective of utility, I don't see how such a law could harm our country. To the contrary, it seems this law would increase the number of intelligent, hardworking, law-abiding people, dedicated to the American dream.

Brian Whitmer
Southeast Belmont Street

MEANWHILE, BACK AT WWIRE...

Editor's Note: Looks like sports fans have found WWire, the new section of wweek.com for breaking news and Web-only stories.

In response to WW Managing News Editor (and Ducks football fan) Henry Stern's hopeful posting on the University of Oregon's chances next year in the wake of its 30-28 loss on Nov. 24 to Oregon State University in the teams' annual "Civil War" matchup (wweek.com/wwire/?p=6439), Beavers fans proved to be in no mood for Reconstruction.

James Miller took issue with Stern's jab at the season-long underattendance at the Beavers' "mini-stadium": "What a joke: loser of the Civil War, overspender of cash in the worst fiscal period in the history of higher ed in the state, and the only way you can come to dissonance with another pathetically underachieving team dressed like clowns is to make fun of Reser Stadium."

Wrote Bob Carnes: "You are just another bitter float fan who can't lose with dignity...WE OWN THE STATE!!"

Peter Riley Osborne added: "On the bright side, at least the Ducks' uniforms are effective as well as stylish. Hard-to-read white letters on hard-to-look-at yellow jerseys are the perfect representative of the way the University of AnkleSprain played this season."

Stern himself eventually waded back in to take on his detractors' points. "Nice to know Beaver 'Nation' is alive and well," he began.

Check out WWire daily for fresh news (and fresh blood).