I just wanted to write a few lines and say that after what has happened the past few weeks in Iowa and on campus, I am now willing to agree with what Chris Van Oosbree said in his letter to the editor Feb. 21. He was concerned about the Daily and GSB.

In his opinion, the Daily does not serve any other purpose “than printing the latest rumblings about GSB.” As president of Amnesty International, I am usually very careful with what I say and what I do since working with human rights and being part of such a large and important organization as Amnesty International is very delicate. Now, after following the GSB election in the paper, I can no longer be silent but must go out and agree with Chris Van Oosbree.

It is so sad to see every day long and short articles about this and that regarding GSB and the election. As could be seen in this past Wednesday’s issue, there is a death penalty debate going on in this state. Unfortunately, it seems like the Daily has missed that almost completely. I do admit that I have seen two articles about it, both published Wednesday.

When it comes to reporting on what the death penalty is or does, the only ‘non letter-to-the-editor’ item was Robert Zeis column Feb. 20. Is that a sign that the Daily doesn’t find death as important as GSB? I wish the Daily could get its priorities set straight and value the death penalty debate more than GSB. The student body will be more affected by a death penalty bill than anything GSB could ever do. We all make mistakes every now and then, and if a death penalty bill is passed, then students at Iowa State University are eligible for the death penalty. I would consider that more serious than anything GSB could ever come up with.

So, Iowa State Daily: “Wake Up!” and “Look around You!” I do admit the GSB elections are important to students but hardly as important as the life and death issue being debated at the moment. Take the responsibility to go out and tell the students what it is all about. If the students on this campus could be informed of what it is all about, then that would be something of extreme importance. Help students understand and make up their minds. Nothing is more important than life or death.

Magnus Thernelius

Graduate Student

Aerospace Engineering

President of AIISU

from Stockholm