Editor,
This is in response to Kristen Woodruff's letter from Thursday's edition of the Daily Lobo.
Let me begin by saying that while she has a good point, she has chosen to articulate this opinion in a forceful way. This is why I have chosen to write this letter.
As a tobacco slave, it is painful to watch the countless number of students, staff and faculty at UNM who are subjected to the little drug called complaining - also known as whining, griping or crying. Complaining and finger-pointing permeate all aspects of our culture, from sports - see the Boston Red Sox - to music - see the blame placed on Eminem and Marilyn Manson for the Columbine shootings - to education - as in, "My son is an angel. It's the teachers' fault he failed geometry."
What is more painful, though, is seeing those who do not partake in complaining and, therefore, take responsibility for their own actions being forced to deal with the harmful effects of those who choose to complain through written and spoken word.
The University Business Policies and Procedures Manual should state that "individuals choosing to complain must be a reasonable distance away from earshot of those who choose not to complain. Individuals who choose to complain via written word must realize that this is a university, not a childcare center, and that they cannot throw a fit because they do not always get their way."
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How is it possible to define 'reasonable' for all of UNM's patrons? This broad language must be replaced with a specific gag order and UNM must enforce its policy of keeping non-tobacco slaves quiet.
UNM also seems not to realize that simply preventing complaining from entering facilities is not enough. Complaining is learned from early childhood, and it is a difficult drug to kick. Particles resulting from complaining can be found clinging to your clothes, hair and mouth. Later, when you go inside, the particles are absorbed by the carpets, curtains, furniture dust and even the ears of other people. When people come into contact with you, or anything in your house that has been exposed to complaining particles, they absorb complaining into their bodies.
The whole campus is swarming with complainers. Noncomplainers are hardly able to avoid hearing some second-hand complaining. You may think a little second-hand complaining every once in a while is not a big deal, but it adds up.
But seriously, think about this: If UNM hates nonsmokers so much, why are we preparing to declare the University a nonsmoking campus? Did you even realize that this policy was under consideration? So, who is the majority and minority here? Name one restaurant in which people can smoke. Can't think of a single one, can you? That's because all restaurants are now nonsmoking.
Are we moving toward a society like California's, in which people can only smoke in the privacy of their own homes? People in California probably still complain that smokers have nicotine particles on their clothes. When is it going to be enough?
Personally, I realize how much damage I am doing to my health by smoking. I realize that second-hand smoke is dangerous. I want to quit, but for now I have decreased the amount of cigarettes I smoke. This means that I have decreased the amount of second-hand smoke I am forcing people around me to inhale, and thus, decreased the amount of people I am murdering in cold blood.
Until you have faced the Devil, Miss Woodruff, stop complaining about the heat. You were already a member of the winning team before you wrote your letter.
Louis Herring
UNM student
