Education important in reducing tensions

Nationalism stands as an obstacle against the sincere efforts of many educators to provide civilized and diverse community. Nationalism is considered one of the strongest political forces in the world. As a doctrine, it holds that humanity is naturally divided into nations; these nations are known by certain characteristics which can be ascertained and that the only legitimate type of government is national-self-government.

The doctrine of nationalism was primarily the work of intellectuals, scholars and literature. This doctrine of was enhanced by the new journalism and militarism as impressive agencies of popular propaganda. Universal literacy is also a promoter of nationalism. For example, nationalistic education is intended to produce national loyalty through installing strong positive beliefs about ideas, symbols, events and people considered to be contra-national.

The common history, language, customs, traditions and religions are the vital elements for the creation of a nationalistic feeling among individuals within the nation-state. These elements on one hand, help to unify the individuals, while on the other they could build create blind patriotism which can be abused leading to hostility and conflict over nationalistic principles with other nationalities.

Nationalistic education has two contradicting dimensions -- one is to create the national unity. Second, it frustrates the sense of global identity. Today, we live in an era that can characterized by the lack of international understanding which was created by various factors, one of which is nationalism and the advancement of the technology of communication. These two factors came to exist beside the cultural gap among the nations. This resulted in denunciation of other nationalities.

Education can be utilized as a valid instrument to educate and prepare the individuals to develop tolerance and acceptance to the differences among other groups. Because the nationalistic attitude is learned, I believe that the educational institutes are challenged. Education stems from two sources, the first is "formal education," which is entrusted in the school system from elementary school to the higher institutes of learning. The second source of education is "informal education," such as: television, radio, movies, theaters, newspapers, magazines, religious centers and family that play a major role. I do believe that the educational institutions can play a major role to reduce the nationalistic tension.

Magdy M. Taha
University facility manager, Paul Robeson Cultural Center

Police went too far on St. Patrick's Day

My mouth was agape as I thought, "Wait a second, this town/school celebrates 'Raise Awareness for People that Wear Red Hats While Eating Creamery Ice Cream On the Second Floor Of Willard Week,' while the one true acknowledgment of my heritage causes for the quadrupling of the number of police and (most likely) the blatant harassment associated with said police!"

Why is it that the State College police feel such a need to target the fun-loving celebration of a guy who removed a bunch of snakes from a country (a great reason to drink if I've ever heard one!)? I see no increase in police on Columbus Day (Italians), Mardi Gras (French), Yom Kippur (Jewish people) or even Festivus (Kramer).

Yet somehow my people are labeled as being a little bit inclined to knock back a pint of Guinness at any chance we get. It is so sad that in this day of stifling political correctness that the police feel the need to create a Gestapo-like atmosphere and then have the nerve to name it after a breakfast cereal! What next? Any pasty-skinned, freckle-faced, redhead will be swept up and sent away to labor camps?

My Irish brethren will unite and rise against you and your Fruit Loops. We will not allow your racist ways to continue. Each year, we will show you that we will become drunker and more combative than ever, listen only to U2 and Van Morrison, chew up potatoes and spit them at you and then dance the Irish jig in the nude. My oppressed people will not allow the sort of hate you encourage to deter us of our rightful celebration.

Brendan Colin Quinn
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Legalize marijuana for medical use

If passed, this nonbinding resolution would not create new law, but it would send the wrong message -- that our federal legislators support putting seriously ill people in prison for using medicinal marijuana. These folks especially should not be held accountable for the renewed "War on Drugs." Seriously, these people are terminally ill. Can we not have compassion for them?

Indeed, medicinal marijuana is already illegal under federal law: A patient convicted of possessing one joint faces up to one year in prison; a patient growing even one marijuana plant for personal, medical use faces up to five years in prison. Patients should be allowed to use medicinal marijuana if their doctors approve. Furthermore, doctors should not be penalized for recommending such use.

Whether or not you support changing the medicinal marijuana laws, what ever happened to states' rights? The U.S. House of Representatives should not go out of its way to dictate to the voters what their state laws should be. This arrogant, Washington-knows-best attitude must be defeated. California has proven that the needy and terminally ill no longer have to travel to potentially dangerous circles to obtain the pain relieving PLANT that they need. Shall we deny them forever?

I urge all readers to contact their U.S. representative and ask him or her to vote "no" on House Resolution 372. Stop arresting patients!

Diane Renee Fornbacher
captain of the Poster Brigade at the protests on Allen Street