I am writing in regard to the school's hypocrisy demonstrated by the administration over their response of halting the Adopt-a-Sniper fund raiser. To get to the point, perhaps the MU Republicans were vague in their wording on their OSD forms, fine.

It seems appropriate that a private Christian school would have the authority to bar activities that do not coincide with their values, but I am concerned that our school seems to have a very selective basis on when it chooses to deem certain activities in line with Christianity.

One example immediately comes to mind: Most students are probably aware of the Gay/Straight Alliance on campus, but are they also aware that in University Ministry has its gay support group? Unless this support group attempts to speak about the sin found in homosexual acts, where is the promotion of Christian principles here? For those that would criticize me as a bigot, I direct them toward John Paul II who speaks clearly on this issue.

Perhaps a more recent example is necessary to illuminate the hypocrisy found in the schools claim to holiness; Mission Week is a hallmark event at Marquette and has always brought speakers to teach Christian principles to the students. Last year we heard from Desmond Tutu on making a difference and this year Arun Gandhi spoke to us on peace. Now peace is a great issue to speak on, but what are the implications of inviting a Hindu speaker that has openly criticized the Catholic Church?

A longer list of hypocrisy could continue I believe, but I think the implication is clear: that is to say, that shutting down the fundraiser in the name of Christianity is nothing short of a move by the administration to continue to promote the Marquette's not-so- hidden political agenda.

Joseph Ortiz is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Feb. 10 2005.