The Observer, November 18, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11
Free Speech Zone: Letter did not represent feelings of all EMTs
To the Editor:
In response to Joseph Grover and Ari Rabkin's letter entitled "Service discounts should apply to everyone" printed in the Nov. 11 issue of The Observer, we would like to clarify that Grover and Rabkin's opinions are not representative of the membership of CaseEMS as a whole. Whereas Grover and Rabkin somehow feel they are entitled to a discount both at Arabica and at other on-campus locations, many emergency medical technicians active in CaseEMS go on duty every weekend with the intent of saving lives, not taking advantage of "the public's goodwill toward firefighters and EMTs."
Businesses are by no means obligated to thank volunteer organizations. In addition to providing Case and other University Circle students and residents with a source of cheap caffeine, Arabica has also been sensitive to students' needs by staying open late, providing special studying rooms, and continuing to accept CaseCash even when many other restaurants have long since stopped. Why then, must they also feel the need to offer a discount to a certain group of students? When questioned as to their policy, the assistant manager replied that CaseEMS members do not even report to medical emergencies on Arabica's property because Arabica is not technically considered a campus organization. Is it fair then to expect them to support a group that does not help them in the least? Why should they be reprimanded for their failure to express "gratitude" when no gratitude is due?
We are mortified by last week's letter, not only because we feel it demeans CaseEMS as an organization, but also because of the effect such a letter will have on Arabica, other University Circle locations, and on the members of CaseEMS who in no way supported the writing of such petty complaints. To Arabica, we say thank you for providing quality service to Case students. And to Rabkin and Grover, try worrying about the health and safety of your peers, not the price of your coffee.
Jess Kingsberg
Shift Supervisor of CaseEMS
David Schechtman
Training Director of CaseEMS
Ran Ari-Gur
Member of CaseEMS
