2008 Woodie Awards
Tangents and Tirades
Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: Commentary
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Honking doesn't save lives
Yes, I'm that annoying and, even worse, very perky waitress who asks if you would color a chili pepper and make a small donation to save the lives of children. For more than a month I have been working overtime in helping to raise money for the Chili's Grill & Bar Create-a-Pepper campaign. Who can say no to a cause as worthy as the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital? You would be surprised. This past weekend I spent my Sunday morning and afternoon with several of my co-workers as we washed cars in Warwick to try and do some creative fundraising. We stood on the side of a busy street, holding signs that literally said: "Car Wash for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," while people were yelling, "Help raise money for kids with cancer" as cars sped by. Don't get me wrong, we raised close to $400 in a few hours, but some passersby were very discouraging. My favorite part of the day was when cars would slow down and then honk their horns. Honking doesn't help the cause. Laughing at us when we are next to a stopped car doesn't help cure pediatric cancer. I'm simply outraged by the lack of enthusiasm or support that I recently viewed, especially when many of the cars were loaded with children. You can always donate to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, but Chili's makes it easy for you. The fundraising will end shortly, though. Stop by Chili's on Monday, September 25, when Chili's will donate 100-percent of their profits to the cause. Color in a chili for kids. And remember, just honking doesn't help.
- Laura Bedrossian '07
No religious violence here
For those of you worried by rumors that Islam might be a violent religion, you can rest assured, for Muslims around the world have rejected that possibility out of hand. You see, some people in the past have been under the impression that Islam approves the use of violence. They may have gotten this idea from such isolated and unconnected events as Sept. 11; hostage beheadings, the execution of Middle Eastern converts to Christianity; the near-fall of Vienna to the Turks on Sept. 11, 1683; the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453; and the Arab conquest of North Africa, the Middle East; and Persia in the seventh and eighth centuries. Yet, last week, when certain comments in a speech by Pope Benedict XVI seemed to endorse this view of Islam, some Muslims were so shocked by the implication that their religion is violent that they promptly burned five Palestinian churches, killed an Italian nun, and issued a death threat against the Pope. This is indeed a strong response to such accusations. So, go ahead, relax. We've got nothing to fear from Islam.
-Michael Rubin '08
Yes, I'm that annoying and, even worse, very perky waitress who asks if you would color a chili pepper and make a small donation to save the lives of children. For more than a month I have been working overtime in helping to raise money for the Chili's Grill & Bar Create-a-Pepper campaign. Who can say no to a cause as worthy as the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital? You would be surprised. This past weekend I spent my Sunday morning and afternoon with several of my co-workers as we washed cars in Warwick to try and do some creative fundraising. We stood on the side of a busy street, holding signs that literally said: "Car Wash for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," while people were yelling, "Help raise money for kids with cancer" as cars sped by. Don't get me wrong, we raised close to $400 in a few hours, but some passersby were very discouraging. My favorite part of the day was when cars would slow down and then honk their horns. Honking doesn't help the cause. Laughing at us when we are next to a stopped car doesn't help cure pediatric cancer. I'm simply outraged by the lack of enthusiasm or support that I recently viewed, especially when many of the cars were loaded with children. You can always donate to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, but Chili's makes it easy for you. The fundraising will end shortly, though. Stop by Chili's on Monday, September 25, when Chili's will donate 100-percent of their profits to the cause. Color in a chili for kids. And remember, just honking doesn't help.
- Laura Bedrossian '07
No religious violence here
For those of you worried by rumors that Islam might be a violent religion, you can rest assured, for Muslims around the world have rejected that possibility out of hand. You see, some people in the past have been under the impression that Islam approves the use of violence. They may have gotten this idea from such isolated and unconnected events as Sept. 11; hostage beheadings, the execution of Middle Eastern converts to Christianity; the near-fall of Vienna to the Turks on Sept. 11, 1683; the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453; and the Arab conquest of North Africa, the Middle East; and Persia in the seventh and eighth centuries. Yet, last week, when certain comments in a speech by Pope Benedict XVI seemed to endorse this view of Islam, some Muslims were so shocked by the implication that their religion is violent that they promptly burned five Palestinian churches, killed an Italian nun, and issued a death threat against the Pope. This is indeed a strong response to such accusations. So, go ahead, relax. We've got nothing to fear from Islam.
-Michael Rubin '08