Letters to the Editor

Confronting the debate

To the Editor:

In his Nov. 1 Daily Pennsylvanian column ("Penn conservatives need to speak their minds"), Guy Margalith offered the following sardonic lament: "Why are... conservative Penn organizations scared to death of standing up in front of a crowd of their peers and arguing for a position in which they believe?"

Funny you should ask! The Orthodox Christian Fellowship at Penn is one "conservative" (I would, however, prefer the label "traditional") religious organization at Penn that does not shy away from open, public debate on a number of controversial issues. We even make a determined effort to present distinguished guest speakers who dissent decisively from the prevailing social, ethical, and political orthodoxies on the Penn campus.

On Thursday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. in the Logan Hall Terrace Room, we shall strike another blow for true diversity and meaningful dialogue by hosting Richard and Andrea Yates of Harvest USA (Philadelphia). These newlyweds will relate a remarkable and "politically incorrect" story of deliverance from their homosexual orientations and lifestyles by the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Further, they will contend that other homosexuals can experience the same positive change in their lives. They will also defend their views in what we hope will be a vigorous, but civil, Q-and-A session following their presentation.

I hope Margalith will be there.

Father Alexander Webster

Eastern Orthodox Chaplain

Civility, then discussion To the Editor:

Many consistently fail to realize that the Republican Party represents a wide spectrum of views. There is often little to no consensus on several "hot-button" issues such as gay marriage. The College Republicans declined to participate in the recent PennForum discussion on gay marriage because we could not reach such consensus on the issue. The topic is not a defining Republican issue, and the responsibility to present the desired opposition was misdirected at our organization.

The opposition, more accurately, lies with particular religious groups. It is no wonder, however, that such opponents are cautious to come forth. Dan Fishback's recent column ("No respect for bigotry, whatever the context," DP, 11/5/01) brilliantly illustrates the dangerous and frequent tendency to label religious activists as "bigots" or make comparisons to members of the Klu Klux Klan.

How can PennForum expect individuals to subject themselves to such slander? I may not always agree with the views of my political colleagues on issues such as gay marriage or abortion. Nevertheless, I am often shocked at the easy simplification of their arguments and the ludicrous name-calling by their opponents. When PennForum and its participants can foster a more civilized and productive debate, it may find more willing participation.

Meredith Voliva

College '02

The writer is vice-chair of the Penn College Republicans. Enforce integrity To the Editor:

I'm a little surprised and disappointed by the double standard which Penn's administration and the Office of Student Conduct are setting in their attempted enforcement of an anti-scalping policy for tickets for the Billy Joel concert tonight.

I think it should be recognized that although the upenn.forsale list on Telnet was used for scalping Billy Joel tickets, recently it was also heavily used to scalp tickets to U2's Philadelphia concert. If the University's administrators wish to reflect integrity in their actions, they would similarly police the use of the lists for the illegal sale of tickets for concerts and performances not related to Penn, instead of only those through which students stand to make a profit on the University.

Besides, with Billy Joel tickets in such high demand, Penn should have opened up a larger venue or helped bring in other performers.

Adam Sussman

College '02

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.