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Editorial:
The Big Issue
Is It Rob?
I have a letter to the editor
sitting on my desk. It's a pretty
good one, it's well written and
offers some valid criticisms of
Behrend academics. But I won't
print it.
It seems the author felt what
he had to say was so important
that he didn't have to sign his
name to it.- A lot of people tell
me they'd like to express their
opinions in the Collegian, but
fear they are too radical for my
tastes. Of course, these people
rarely bother testing their radical
ideas.
There is another letter sitting
on my desk right now - one that
is printed here on this page. This
letter comes from a faculty
member from Tech High School,
who says The Collegian's Love
Rob misrepresented a colleague
of his.
There is no question that we
were wrong they tell us. They
have told us this in letters and in
angry words spoken over the
phone. And as Rob notes they've
told us bluntly, "You screwed
up."
The writer of the letter
suggests Rob was never a world
class runner. (Though I'm not
sure what that was supposed to
tell us.)
While Rob's observation
about a Tech teacher was made
on the opinion page, and dealt
with a public issue (education)
and a public employee (a school
teacher), we admittedly feel
badly.
Although both Rob and
myself agree that to single out
any one teacher was in bad taste,
we believe the problems in the
education system are the real
issue.
I don't believe Rob Prindle
meant to hurt anyone, but, in an
attempt to make a point about a
larger issue, he inadvertantly hurt
someone and isn't holding his
head very high right now.
Mistakes are always more
apparent when you make them in
front of a crowd of 3,000 readers.
We anticipate and expect a
lot of these readers will often
disagree with Rob or our other
columnists. We hope letters will
sometimes reflect differing
viewpoints.
What dissapoints us is when
readers who have different views
anion
than Rob, began to badmouth
instead of debate.
Perhaps the anonymous letter
writer I mentioned earlier has - a
legitimate fear. We seem to be
living in a world that loves
freedom of expression, but takes
it very personally when they read
opinions counter to their own.
It's not easy to sign your name to
an opinion, even something you
firmly believe in.
We seem to be living in a
world that loves freedom of
expression, but only as long as
that expression isn't in the form
of opinions that we don't agree
with. It's not easy to sign your
name to an opinion - even
something you believe in.
I received a call from a Tech
teacher the other day who was
very angry. She agreed that the
public school system was in
trouble but noted the problem
was not a certain teacher at Tech.
I'm not about to suggest that
the first amendment exists for the
primary purpose of making
people feel bad. That's not what
Rob's column was about. The
reference to the Tech teacher,
which has excited so many
people, was a single clause in a
single sentence.
While my caller expressed
concerns about the school system
as a whole, I reminded her that
Rob didn't attend "The Public
School System." He attended a
specific school and could only
extract examples from his
experiences.
There seems to be little to be
gained by speaking in the abstract
about such matters. It may be
easier to do and may anger fewer
readers, but few of us live in an
abstract world.
I truly hope the students and
staff at Tech realize no harm was
meant by Rob's remark.
Sometimes, when you're in the
practice of putting your name on'
the line, you say something you
regret.
The woman from Tech asked
how we could print Love Rob. A
lot of people have asked me that
question and I have an answer.
The Collegian has in Rob, a
talented prolific writer whose
column is the most widely read
item in the newspaper. What's
more we have someone with
strong, well informed views, who
will offer opinions to which he is
bold enough to sign his name.
LETTERS LETTERS LETTERS
It Could Happen Again
Dear Editor,
On April 9, 1989, I was part of a tremendous
outpouring of love and support for women, and
their right to reproductive freedom, as I marched
down Constitution Avenue with my friends from
Behrend College and 600,000 sisters and brothers
from across the country. We gathered in
Washington, DC part of a massive pro
choice march to demonstrate that we believe that
the Roe vs. Wade decision must not be reversed.
The 1973 .Roe. vs. Wade decision played an
important role in allowing women the right to
control their own bodies. Women may soon lose
this right.
As I marched, I thought about the freedoms
that we take for granted. In my lifetime women
did not always have freedom of choice, and I can
clearly remember the fear of an unwanted
pregnancy. I remember a time when women died
at the hands of greedy, dirty, little men who
performed illegal back-street abortions. I am also
reminded of the time, over twenty years ago, that
a good friend •of mine jumped off the top of a
refrigerator in an attempt to abort herself. She
did not abort so she arranged a meeting with a
"doctor" to get an illegal abortion.
She was told to go to a certain basement
apartment and wait there for thirty minutes to be
sure that she had not been followed. The
McDavid Says
Dear Editor,
At first glance this may
resemble a "Bob Schenker
correspondence"; however it's a
less lengthy note of farewell. As
I depart this summer for a new
assignment in the Land of The
Morning Calm, I leave a very
caring, supportive campus
community. I'm proud to have
served with such a distinguished
group of dedicated professionals.
I leave the ROTC program in
the competent, capable hands of
Captain Jim McCarthy. Please
continue to give Jim and the
cadre the same support you have
given me over the years.
If I had to evaluate my time
here, I would simply say "I did
my best - I made a difference."
This is nothing new to you and
your staffs however; you do it
everyday. Your genuine care for
the future leaders in our
community is a daily response to
Dr. Sweeting's challenge at the
Fall Convocation to be both
"interested and interesting." Your
influence will have a long lasting
impact on those you serve.
The Behrend Collegian's editorial opinion is determined by the editor, with the editor holding final
responsibility. Opinions expressed in the Collegian are not necessarily those of the Behrend Collegian
or the Pennsylvania State University.
Letter Policy: The Behrend Collegian encourages letters on news coverage, editorial content and
university affairs. Letters should be typewritten, double-spaced and signed by no more than two
persons. Letters should be no longer than 400 words. Letters should include the semester and major of
the writer. All letters should provide the address and phone number of the writer for verification of the
letter. The Collegian reserves the right to edit letters for length and to reject letters if they are libelous
or do not conform to standards of good taste.
Postal Information: The Behrend Collegian (898-6488) is published - weekly by the students of the
Behrend College; The Reed Union Building, Station Road, Erie, Pa 16563.
The Collegian Wednesday, April
.19
Cathy and I have enjoyed our
visit, your courtesy, and have
nothing but fond memories. We
will treasure our friendships.
Again, thanks for your time
together, and you support of the
Disturbing Observation
Dear editor,
Last week I encountered an act
of ignorance that provoked me to
speak up to the individuals
involved and write this letter.
This common form of ignorance
plagues people who either claim
to be in a hurry, or will only be
at their destination for a minute
or two. This pathetic act is is
that of parking in a designated
handicap parking space.
I witnessed two gentlemen
students, after they drove around a
full Reed parking lot, decide to
take the last two (handicapped)
designated spaces. Asking if they
were handicapped, I received a
Editorial Policy
apartment was a dirty, roach-infested dump.
When the doctor arrived he was accompanied by a
male friend and they forced my friend to have sex
with them. She was alone and frightened so she
submitted - she had no other choice. After
the abortion, this merciful man of medicine left
her lying on a filthy .rnat in great pain. This
ugly scene can, and will, happen again if Roc vs.
Wade is overturned. And so we marched, women
and men of all colors, young and old, rich and
poor, united in our belief that women will never
again put their bodies in the hands of butchers.
We marched because we know that this is a
critical time for women and men who believe
that women must retain freedom of choice. It is
time to make it clear to our legislators that we
support Roe vs. Wade, and that we will settle for
nothing less than complete control of our own
bodies. It is a question of freedom not only for
oneself, but for people like my friend who still
have nightmares about their violations, for our
children and grandchildren, for everyone. If we
are ever going to secure freedom of choice for.all
women we must remember that the revolution
begins at home.
Thanks
ROTC program. My thoughts
and prayers are with you as I'm
taking care of your soldiers in
Korea! Perhaps we'll meet again.
stereotypical response from both
of them. They said, "Well only
be inside for a minute," and
continued on their way. Instead of
committing such a pathetic act, I
ask students to either: 1) park by
the curb with your flashers on, or
2) respect the law that exists to
protect the the rights of those
more deserving of having such a
convenience in their lives. Also,
if anyone sees a person violating
this simple respect, don't be
apathetic, speak up! Maybe the
next time the people involved
will think twice.
Karol Tomczak
sth sem.
Liberal Arts •
Sincerely, Mike
Thank you,
Mark B. Louis