Letters to the Editor: Nuclear Research is Beneficial and Necessary

In response to the recent ASUC bill criticizing the University of California's role in managing national laboratories, it is worth mentioning that the National Ignition Facility (NIF) under construction at Livermore is also designed to develop nuclear fusion, a clean and virtually inexhaustible source of energy.

Secondly, we cannot realistically expect nuclear weapons to disappear in the foreseeable future as some nation or group, "rogue" or otherwise, may build nuclear arms and threaten to use them. To manage these potential and current threats, Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) has been effective in preventing a nuclear exchange and encouraging dialogue. No National Missile Defense system is necessary and may destabilize the current balance of power.

However, MAD hinges on our ability to ASSURE the reliability and (ironically) safety of our current stockpile. This can be accomplished by two primary means: full-scale nuclear weapons tests (either above/below ground or in the South Pacific), or through science-based stockpile stewardship programs at facilities like the NIF.

The latter option is preferable, ultimately allowing us to evaluate the status of our stockpile and make informed decisions on arms reduction while avoiding weapons tests. One of the major reasons why the U.S. Senate did not ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty was that they felt that we could not ensure the reliability and effectiveness of our weapons in the absence of testing. Therefore, science-based stockpile stewardship is preferred.

While we are in full support of the movement to abolish nuclear weapons, we do not support the efforts to end the University of California's management of these national laboratories. If not U.C. management, then who? Perhaps a national security agency or the military? A corporation? In any case, transparency at these labs will likely decrease in addition to reducing the pool of scientific talent and we will all be worse off.

Lance Kim and Shane Guess

President and Secretary,

American Nuclear Society

Don't Muzzle the Boycotters

Last time I checked boycotting something was a sign of protest which is protected under the constitution, or that's what I am told when Jesse Jackson wants to Boycott South Carolina over the Confederate flag. Maybe there is some difference here that I am not aware of.

I consider myself a moderate, I support neither the Republican party nor the Democratic party. Therefore I am free to form my own opinions, not what is spoon fed to me by either side. If a group comes together and decides they want to boycott a group because they disagree with them, why can they not do this? I choose not to go to some restaurant because of bad service experiences. Should I continue to go back even if the service has not improved. No, I choose not to go back until the service is in my opinion satisfactory.

The key words here are in my opinion. This group of people boycotting the Berkeley area have their own opinions too. They are expressing their position on the anti-war resolution made by the government in Berkeley by boycotting shops in the area. Ahh, you may say "but they are hurting citizens inside Berkeley and not the government which made the resolution." Yes this is true but didn't the citizens living in Berkeley elect the officials who made the statement? In the town I live in all the city council members are elected by the people living there, but maybe this is different in Berkeley.

If the people of Berkeley do not agree with the anti-war resolution then they will vote those out who passed it. If not then they will vote them in again. Let's all remember that freedom applies to all not just some. Berkeley and the Boycotters both are allowed the same freedom and I vote we don't take it away from either group.

John Coleman

Roanoke, Texas

Bears and Trees Aren't Enemies

I just read the article in the Daily Californian ("Get That Friggin' Axe," Nov. 14) and thought I might point out that in the analogy of actual bears and actual trees it is not the case that bears "tear through the fragile bark of a lone conifer" or "[break] off thick branches to devour the sweet sappy innards of the helpless tree." Instead, the bears and trees coexist to mutual advantage.

If I were a more rabid participant in this harmless rivalry I might mention that bears have a lifespan of, say, 60 years (I'm guessing here) while trees live for hundreds of years, but bringing up that point is, well, pointless. It's just a football game! If the team representing the University of California at Berkeley wins, they get the Axe. If the team representing Stanford University gets the Axe wins, the Axe stays here. And then we all go home and study for finals.

I like the rivalry and all-it can be a lot of fun, but placing more emotional value on the game than is necessary leads to unfortunate things like riots. Not that your article (or any of the articles that will doubtless be published in the next few days, on both campuses) will be responsible for anything bad that happens! I'm simply asking that people in positions to have their voices heard moderate those voices for everyone's benefit.

Moses Pounds

Palo Alto resident

Stop the Berkeley-Bashing

Enough is enough! I am a 35-year resident of Berkeley who is tired of the outside press for knocking my lovely city and its patriotic traditions.

There's more patriotic action here than Superman could find in all of the whole country.

Berkeley is special. It initiated Earth Day, a whole lot of Ecological innovations, and is the cradle to most of the Progressive movements in the country-for women, the Disabled, Peace and Justice. We are known as compassionate, educated citizens who agree to non-violent dissent.

A statesman once said that it is not only our right, but our duty to dissent from something that is unwise or unjust. I agree that Barbara Lee and the City Council are well are of this, and acted accordingly.

As an educator I have been sworn to "Uphold the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic." What do I do now?

I am not only against any boycott, but I choose to spend 90% of my income after rent and bills in Berkeley. It won't get me any awards from the Mayor and her friends, but its honest, hard earned, every cent. Take that you Berkeley bashers!

Edith Monk Hallberk

Berkeley resident

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