This is in response to Michael W. Coey’s response to Chris Elsner’s column concerning non-traditional students.

“Watching what you say” is good advice in any situation.

I think a big point that Mr. Elsner was attempting to make in his article was that everyone knows what a ‘non-trad’ is going to say before he or she says it, and that often times it has little or nothing to do with the conversation. For example, as soon as one sees that Mr. Coey is a veteran, one can assume what he is going to say.

1) I fought for your right to free speech and 2) that you still shouldn’t say it.

OK, we get it. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, since we haven’t heard the ‘poor soldier’ talk dozens of times. This argument is like a mother saying to a kid “I was in labor for fourteen hours! Listen to me!”

Does it have anything to do with what’s been said? No. Does it add anything of substance to the conversation? No. Are we appreciative? Since I haven’t heard anybody knocking soldiers for being soldiers, I would say so. In fact, the “catch-phrase of the times” is “hate the war, not the soldier.”

All Chris Elsner was getting at is this point. We know you have experience. We know you can relate things to your past (as can anyone alive, it’s called a memory). But if you’re in a biology lecture, and the professor is talking about the digestive system, talking about how often your 6-month-old needs to be changed is not adding anything to the conversation. Keep it to yourself or wait until after class.

Joshua Wojtowicz
Freshman, undecided


Hi, I am writing to you with regard to the, “Non-traditional students” article Chris Elsner wrote recently. First, I am a veteran of the Armed Forces, a parent and a non-traditional student.

To keep this brief, I would like to tell you first that I understand he was speaking under the rules of the First Amendment, and I would never try to change that.

However, the endorsement of what he has said disgusts me and is unnerving. Seung-Hui Cho (English major), which we all know, also was upset with his fellow students.

This gives light to the possibility that this is a warning for your college and that other students may be in danger. And for your information, I am not categorizing English majors as criminals, I just see similarities.

As Chris so pointed out, a single mother and a veteran seemed to have gotten under his skin. I think it is only fair that they be aware of the circumstances and the possible dangers. This type of open hatred should not go unchecked.

Jeff King
Senior, electrical engineering
University of Idaho

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