Letters

To the Editor: Executive Editor Michael Vondriska's column ("Our mission is to serve," The Daily Pennsylvanian, 1/22/01) was of special interest to me, as a retired writer and design director. I would like to commend the DP for its consistently high quality of content and production. It is laudable that you're able to turn out so professional a journal on a daily basis. But it's mind-boggling that you're able to do this in addition to meeting the demands of your academic pursuits. I know what it takes and I'm truly impressed. Please know that your work is appreciated and, at the the onset of the 117th Board of Managers and Editors, please convey sincere congratulations to all. Stick to Vondriska's mission throughout your watch.

Charles DeMirjian Senior Associates Program College of General Studies

To the Editor: I am writing to highlight the empty rhetoric that Julia Gottlieb displayed in her column "Injustice Fighter or Enemy of Equality?" (The Daily Pennsylvanian, 1/24/01). Gottlieb's assertion that the Bush administration is perpetuating hateful practices is dubious in the context of her article, and her assessment of John Ashcroft is both devoid of facts and grossly ill informed. Ashcroft has been a pragmatically centrist politician who has worked in the interest of all of his constituents -- including blacks. As a senator, he voted to confirm 90 percent of all black judges nominated by Bill Clinton. As a governor, he appointed more black judges that any governor in the history of Missouri. And as a man with a sense of integrity, he chose to give up a seat in the Senate (and the Republican majority) after his opponent died, allowing his opponent's widow to be appointed instead. Clearly, this record is testament to a unique compassion and a commitment to principle over partisanship. I am pro-choice and centrist in my political beliefs, so I naturally have a strong preference that appointees share my views on issues. Nonetheless, in the interest of our democracy, our loyalty to the republic should supercede our loyalty to advancing our political beliefs. This requires a committment to truth, and a demand that our politicians (and columnists) refrain from myopic partisan tactics that try to stigmatize using visceral terms such as "heterosexist" or "racist." Ultimately, the attorney general does not create law, but is in a position to undermine both the Justice Department and the judicial system. The Clinton Administration's sweetheart deals for felons who kept quiet about scandals -- Whitewater, illegal foreign campaign contributions, etc. -- are symptomatic of the moral bankruptcy of our system these past eight years. Following such unprecedented degradation, we should relish in having appointees with veracity, genuine conviction and honor.

Dean Sovolos College '98

To the Editor: Your Perspective on the St. Joseph's University Hawk ("The Hawk will never die," The Daily Pennsylvanian, 1/23/01) was the best coverage I've ever seen, St. Joe's publications included. In fact, I even learned a few things. But it also raised a serious concern. How can I trust the DP to uncover political corruption and administrative incompetence if it can't find a Hawk on Penn's campus? Admittedly, I rarely wear feathers while working at David Rittenhouse Laboratories, and I only flap a little while walking past the Palestra. But any serious reporter would have caught those clues and picked up on tension near my lab on the day of the St. Joe's vs. Villanova game. Like all the other Hawks, I'd do it again in a minute. I just hope Penn Coach Fran Dunphy remembers Hawk Hill as fondly when Penn plays St. Joe's.

Bill Berner St. Joseph's Hawk, 1968-1970 Lab Assistant, Physics Department

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