Your Voice | Letters to the Editor

Alumni pay PGSE's worth forward

To the Editor:

In his column "A Tough Lesson in Economics," (DP 2/06/2009) Ryan Benjamin poses the question "At what point do we say, 'Enough is enough', and let the overall health of the Commonwealth come first?" Good question, but the better question is what is truly best for Pennsylvania? Ryan suggests that the Governor's School programs here in Pennsylvania will not be missed. I urge him to look around at his peers; he is surrounded by quite a few PGSE alumni.

However, the PGSE community extends beyond UPenn. There are 19,000 alumni alone, but add on the family, friends, colleagues, teachers, and administrator that have seen and been influenced by PGSE grads. There is an amazing community out there who have benefited from PGSE grads, and many of them have no clue that they even had. PGSE is training the leaders of our future.

Yes, at face value, it is a program of the few, but the community of people who have been helped by PGSE alumni is much larger than the alumni themselves. Eliminating PGSE does very little to help our budget woes, and if you look to the future, it hurts our prospects.

Colin Comerci

The author is a College freshman and graduate of PGSE

White Dog lost more than owner

To the Editor:

It's too bad that the new owners of the White Dog Cafe did not choose to maintain their commitment to the dedicated staff, some of whom had worked at the White Dog for years. They fired the entire kitchen and dishwashing staff, all the bartenders, and most of the managers. Social conscience my foot!

Patty Gilson

The author is a University Library employee

Planned Parenthood not innocent

To the Editor:

Since Kaitlin Welborn's column ("The gift of good health," DP 2/11/2009) in favor of Planned Parenthood of Indiana's decision to offer gift certificates criticizes the "red herring" of pro-life opposition to the program, it is ironic that her own argument relies upon the same rhetorical fallacy she attempts to tackle. Planned Parenthood is hardly the reputable institution of women's health care that the author portrays. According to the organization "Planned Parenthood Hurts Girls," law enforcement authorities in three states (including Indiana) are investigating Planned Parenthood for covering up statutory rape and sex abuse committed against adolescent girls who come to its clinics. Hardly a promotion of women's health.

If Planned Parenthood is found guilty, these pending legal cases represent criminal acts. Child abusers who have physically and psychologically devastated young girls must be brought to justice. The fact that Planned Parenthood is even under investigation for failing to comply with child-abuse laws causes me to distrust this institution's integrity.

Abstract rallying cries regarding the importance women's health care create a distraction to the more important issue at hand: whether or not Planned Parenthood is really the best avenue to secure the best possible care. Unfortunately, assumptions like Welborn's hinder us from finding the answer.

Al Moran

The author is a College senior and secretary of Penn for Life

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