Letters to the Editor

Eliminate conflicts of interest

What a surprise, GPSS representative Sumeer Singla steps up to defend Student Regent Amit Ranade ("Student leaders on wrong track," April 24).

Maybe not so much of a surprise, considering the fact that Singla made $2,000 a week at the same law firm that Ranade will make $2,000 a week at this summer (which, not so coincidentally, is the firm in which Regent William Gates is a partner).

Isn't it about time to eliminate these conflicts of interest and find student-government leaders who are more interested in helping students than in lining their own pockets and covering each others' backsides?

Warren L. Randolph,

School of Law, 2003

In praise of accuracy

In reference to Josh Kahn's article, "In praise of U.S. power," the author might do well to research what he's saying before he says it. I am making no judgments on his opinions here, but he neglects a good deal of ancient history when he cites ancient history as examples.

To get at one specific point, he states that during the "Pax Romana there was not a single war." OK, I admit that's what the name implies, but what it really meant was that it was peaceful in comparison to earlier/later times. As it happens, there were a number of wars on various scales during the period 17-180 C.E. Around 69, there was a decent set of battles between Vitellius and Vespasian (and his allies). In 72, Sulla led a siege against a pocket of Jewish resistance at Masada. In 84, Gov. Agricola led a battle at Mons Graupius in Scotland. Between 101 and 106, Trajan declared not one but two wars against the Dacians to the north. Around 115, Trajan led Rome on an invasion into the Parthian Empire. Finally, to finish off this list, the reign of Marcus Aurelius included the Marcomannic Wars among other conflicts with northern tribes.

Your opinion is yours, but check your facts before you speak them.

Adam Greenberg

senior, psychology, physics

College Works scam

How nice of you to publish a full-page "advertisement" for College Works Painting ("Making massive amounts of money," Career Guide, April 23). I was conned into its "internship" the summer of 1998, and although it was overall a positive experience, its business practices are less than honest.

First off, at your interview, the representgative pressures you into signing a contract. I was told that I would not be able to get a job with the company if I took the contract home to look it over. Once I signed it, I was literally the College Work's servant -- I would have to pay a $400 exiting fee were I to leave the company before the end of the summer.

From there it only got worse. Training was inadequate (how am I supposed to train painters how to paint a house when VCoole Works barely trained me?) and they took an enormous cut of my gross profits as "business expenses." Guess what those expenses were? The CEO of the company was living in a posh condo in Belltown.

As for the thousands of dollars they promise you? I produced about $30,000 worth of work and only made $3,000 for the summer. Like it says, "Your returns may vary." My advice to prospective College Works Painting managers (or other similar painting internships): Read the contract carefully and make sure you know what you're getting into.

Joseph Goldberg

senior, informatics