Although the Daily’s editorial staff usually writes articles that I disagree with, I have seldom felt the need to actually respond. However, given Tuesday’s articles by Robert Zeis and Andrew Seitz, I feel that a response is in order.

First, in response to Andrew Seitz, we must remember that NONE of us had a choice as to whether or not Veishea should be dry. Perhaps the residents didn’t get to vote on the pledge, but for those who did, the “choice” was dry Veishea or no Veishea.

Second, in response to Robert Zeis, we don’t care how you exercise your god-given right to drink beer. If you can do this responsibly (as a 23-year-old should) and not simply to spite the university administration (who, I can agree may have over stepped their bounds), then there should be no problems. We who took the pledge (and there are more of us than you may care to admit) see this as an agreement, not an infraction on our rights, and simply don’t want someone who is irresponsible to wreck the celebration for us.

Finally, in response to other letters that have appeared, the Iowa State campus seems to have forgotten that someone died during Veishea last year, an event that shocked the campus and one we promised never to forget.

Whether or not you believe that Veishea “caused” Uri Sellers’ death, the undeniable fact is that he did die during our celebration. In light of that fact, maybe the showcase Veishea activity shouldn’t be the bands, Taste of Veishea, or even the parade. The showcase should be a candlelight vigil on central campus, Sunday at 2:53 am: the point in our celebration that Uri Sellers died.

Courtney Padgitt

Junior

Transportation and logistics

and Russian