Cartoon was inappropriateIn response to your article "Don't ban Four Loko; leave the decision to us" (Forum, Nov. 16):

While I make no judgment on the content of this article, I am extremely disappointed at the cartoon the Justice chose to run next to it. It depicts a devilish male student pouring Four Loko into the drink of a female student in an effort to get her "BEMCo-ed." Considering the epidemic of date rape on college campuses, it seems wholly inappropriate to use the idea of young men poisoning young women as a topic for humor. It belittles the traumatic experiences many young women----even at Brandeis-have had to go through. Moreover, as far as I can tell, neither the article nor the incidents to which it refer ever indicate that anyone consumed Four Loko involuntarily. Rather than poking fun at a real incident, this cartoon goes out of its way to make sexual assault a gag. Rape culture works by making violence against women laughable. I sincerely hope that the Justice will take serious steps to avoid the perception that it promotes this attitude.

-Jonathan Sussman '11



State of Zionism is acceptable

In response to your article "Lamenting the fractured state of Zionism at Brandeis" (Forum, Nov. 16):

There is an extremely disconcerting tendency to equate Zionism with full support for every policy of the Israeli state. Many of those who oppose Israeli occupation and colonization support the people of Israel and consider ourselves Zionists.

Why does Zionism equal full support for every policy of the Israeli state? If you support the interests of the people of Israel, you would have to oppose Israeli policies of occupation and colonization, as they sacrifice peace and security for territorial expansion. This week seems to have shown that the Zionist dream is alive and well, and many people care so deeply about the Israeli people that they do not want to see them suffer for the sake of Israel's territorial expansion.

-Matt Gabrenya '13



Appreciate disabilities services

In response to your article "Disabilities services goes above and beyond" (Forum, Nov. 16):

Fifty years ago there was no Brandeis Office of Disabilities Services and Support; there was no Americans with Disabilities Act, and there was no specific office on the campus that dealt with accommodating the unique requirements of my fellow students. And while there was an office of student affairs, there was certainly no one like Director of Disabilities Services and Support Beth Rodgers-Kay, who you speak so positively about. Your column and description of Rodgers-Kay's enthusiasm for her critical assistance gives this old alum an incredibly positive feeling about Brandeis. Kudos to Rodgers-Kay and kudos to you for being very public and upfront in saluting the services that she has offered you and other students in need. And additional praise is given to those Brandeis faculty and staff who understand and do what needs to be done.

-Martin Zelnik '61