Food for Thought

Written in response to objections raised by UC Irvine students to allowing Carl Karcher Enterprises to open a Carl’s Jr. restaurant on campus.

With regard to your editorial (“Students’ Unsavory Protest,” March 6), I feel that the demonstration against Carl’s Jr. was indeed relevant to the issue. Owner Carl Karcher derives income from his food outlets and in turn uses it to pay for his conservative causes, which trample the rights of many groups.

Recently Saga, the prime food supplier to UC Irvine, was taken over by yet another conservative group, Marriott, which not long ago received permission to build a hotel and other businesses on another public campus, Cal State Fullerton.

Since most fast-food places offer similar menus, and those operating at universities have a captive audience--and considering the inroads conservative business people have made on our state-funded campuses--yes, political philosophies may well have been figured into how these concessions are allocated.

In view of what has been happening, perhaps awarding some contracts to McDonald’s would help to balance things; owner Joan Kroc contributes her money to causes that further human rights, not those that deny them.

MARTHA ABELL

Seal Beach