We are appalled by the inappropriate manner in which some members of the Penn community responded to Newt Gingrich’s arrival to campus.
While we understand that many students passionately disagree with the politics of the former Speaker of the House, the ways in which some expressed their dissent were unacceptable.
A group of students stormed out of Irvine Auditorium in protest while Gingrich was still speaking. One of them shouted as he left.
Even in the days leading up to Gingrich’s speech, students’ anticipation was marked by rudeness.
Penn Democrats distributed an e-mail on its official listserv two weeks ago in which it resorted to name-calling and referred to Gingrich as “an evil salamander.” This week, some students hung posters of the politician’s face and some of his controversial quotes on doors of bathroom stalls and above urinals.
Gingrich was a guest at the University and should have been treated with respect. The type of behavior students exhibited lowers the level of discourse on campus and is not becoming of an esteemed institution such as Penn.
What do you think of students' response to Gingrich? Send us a letter to the editor: letters@theDP.com.
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