Embracing the middle
To the Editor:
I read Mr. Cohen's column ("Message to campus political groups: Think for yourselves," The Daily Pennsylvanian, 01/30/04), and I think that his premise is fundamentally flawed.
I will admit that he makes some sound points -- neither the Penn Democrats or Republicans organize rallies or put up posters for a position that defies the party line, and I do think that is something both groups need to deal with. But I think that if Mr. Cohen had spent some real time with the members of these groups, he would think differently.
I am a member of Penn Democrats, and have been since my first semester at Penn. I am also an avowed political moderate who voted for Sam Katz and applauded last year's Supreme Court decision restricting the University of Michigan's affirmative action policy. But the Penn Democrats have not rejected me. On the contrary, they have embraced me and asked me to help bring in other students who lean towards the middle.
The Penn Democrats may not hold a rally to support some of my political views, but that hardly means that the group is monolithic in its thought. In fact, the varying political leanings of the members is one of the Penn Dems' great strengths, and I'm sure the same is true for the Penn Republicans. So please keep that in mind if you decide to write about either of these organizations in the future.
Matthew Smith
SAS '06
SPEC brings in 'sleazoid'
To the Editor:
Visiting Houston Hall today, I noticed an interesting poster for an event to be held in February. Apparently Showtime networks and the Social Planning and Events Committee are bringing Adam Glasser to campus.
Who is Mr. Glasser? He is the star of Showtime's Family Business, a reality show about Mr. Glasser, his mom, his cousin and their porn production company.
Groups should bring to campus whomever the heck they want to invite, but I have a problem when sleazoids like Mr. Glasser are brought in under the auspices of SPEC, which purports to be "one of the six main student government bodies at Penn, founded in 1990 to develop, organize and program campuswide social and cultural activities for the University community." I encourage all not to go and support this filth.
Thomas Foley
Wharton '04
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