Voice of reason

I refer to Mr. Jack West's letter (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 10) and to Mr. Sastrowardoyo's one (Oct. 14). Both of them dealt with student brawls and I believe that both of them deserve some criticism.

Mr. West's letter displays a clear anti-American attitude. But I agree with him in that the student brawls represent a deplorable display of violence. Yet I cannot see any reasonable connection between student brawls and American tobacco.

Unless Mr. West took part in the brawls, he must be a person with incredible eyesight to see from such a distance what brand of cigarettes was smoked by the fighting students. The famous American tobacco which, according to Mr. West, sparks off the worst human instincts. I wonder how it can be that in the USA there are so many survivors.

For sure, most of the movies on TV exalt violence and represent the worst in young people but I cannot understand why Mr. West lays all the blame of that only on Hollywood. What about martial arts flicks? They don't come from America but mostly from Asian countries.

The reasons for the violence off are many. I believe that teachers should let the students understand the uselessness of their irresponsible behavior.

To say that "the rich shouldn't be so rich and the poor shouldn't be so poor" means "to discover the lukewarm water." History teaches us that those principles are worthy but alas utopian.

Mr. Sastrowardoyo has the right to criticize Mr. West, but he should not be so hostile to foreigners. Writing "let the natives solve their own problems," or stating that foreigners "should stay in their compounds" is either plain rudeness or a form of anachronistic discrimination.

PIERO RONCI

Jakarta