LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Getting the Facts

DART believes, however, that incomplete information is just as dangerous as misinformation. 34th Street's reporter states how nitrous oxide works upon entering the body, how to use nitrous oxide from a pressurized container, and where to buy the drug. The reporter fails, however, to cite possible negative effects that nitrous oxide can have on the body. Because nitrous oxide cuts off the body's supply of oxygen to the brain, use of the drug may cause brain damage. High doses of nitrous oxide can cause severe breathing failure and sudden death. Long-term inhaling can also damage the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Also, a pressurized tank or container has the potential to rupture blood vessels in the lungs by forcing air into the chest cavity, ultimately causing the lungs to collapse. "Java" is similarity misleading. "Java" instructs the reader on how to get a caffeine high in order to stay awake until 3 a.m. The article's author omits the fact that an overdose of caffeine may result in restlessness, the shakes, and cardiac irregularities. To omit important facts about nitrous oxide and caffeine is to deny students the right to make informed decisions about substance use. Scott Gallin College '95 President, DART 5 signatures from DART board members follow To the Editor: I am writing to you in response to Adam Cooper's letter ("Go Home Marcotti" DP, 12/7/94). I was rather shocked by the conclusion reached by Mr. Cooper and believe that people like him are the reason why intolerance is still such a hot issue as we prepare to enter the 21st century. I too am an advocate of proper grammar and even though French is my native language, I have always strived to achieve the highest proficiency in English in order to satisfy my own standards. Return to Milano! I cannot believe that anyone would make such a statement in a University whose pride is the incredible diversity of its student body. I am lucky enough to have traveled in Africa, Europe and America but for many students, the Penn experience is as close as they will ever get to being exposed to so many different cultures. Mr. Cooper should definitely try to take advantage of these four years instead of attempting to rid the U.S. of all these "damn foreigners." I would love to call his comments stupid and ignorant but I am bigger than that and will therefore refrain myself, (Oops, I guess I didn't!). I do not read the DP columns on a regular basis and am therefore not defending Mr. Marcotti. But I do know that he certainly did not deserve that last comment, Nobody does. PAPA THIAM Wharton '95 To the Editor: As students of Penn much of our time is spent complaining and criticizing the mediocrity of our faculty, administration, and fellow students. I'd like to go against the grain and actually compliment someone who I feel has not been given the praise he deserves. The job that Gabriele Marcotti has done as Editorial Page Editor over the last year has been nothing short of tremendous. At every opportunity, he has managed to incite controversy. What other editor would have the courage or foresight to place Stephen Houghton and Adam Scioli on the same page twice a month. Or to publish articles, like that of Felix Rouse, which continue to elicit mail weeks after they've been to press. As a columnist, Mr. Marcotti has written editorials that are interesting to say the least. He places before his reader radical points of view using a unique combination of logic and wit. He forces us to listen, to think, and to see all sides of the situation. Isn't that what a college education is all about? Thank you, Mr. Marcotti, for insuring that not all of my $28,000 will be a complete waste. JOSEPH PARISI College '96 To the Editor: In response to Shawn Klein's column ("Get Out of the Way" DP, 12/9/94), what else can I say but, "Get out of my face!" To put it nicely, Shawn, you make me sick. You've taken the efforts of some of Penn Football's and Basketball's finest fans and turned them into nothing more than a mere annoyance, or second-rate entertainment at best. Fortunately, being a member of the Varsity Football team, I sincerely appreciate the support and the efforts that the members of the cheerleading squad have put forth. Their motivation is not to "compete against [the other cheerleading squad]," as you seem to believe. Rather, they try to offer some inspiration and excitement to the fans, whether Penn is up by thirty points or "down by fifteen." You seemed to have forgotten, Shawn, that the trademark of a good -- or let's make that a great -- fan is to support the team when they're winning and losing. Sometimes, teams as great as Penn's Football and Basketball squads need a little push from their fans when their backs are against the wall. But I would expect that you wouldn't know this, since you probably didn't start attending games until the teams began dominating their competition. You (and fans like you) would do everyone a favor if you took a bit of your own advice and cheered "outside in the parking lot." That way you'd be able to catch the next bandwagon that rode on by. LUKE PARKER College '95 To the Editor: Since my fateful arrival at Penn three and a half years ago, I have subjected myself to the inflammatory statements, the rare thought-provoking arguments, but essentially the inane jabbering of many a self-inflated DP columnist. Despite this quotidian torture ritual, I have learned to regard Page Six with a ton of salt. For the first time, however, I cannot sit still, for Shawn Klein's ("Get Out of the Way" DP, 12/9/94) vitriol is now blasted on an innocent group, and the asinine, misinformed claims this time are directed at me. As a former Penn Varsity Cheerleader, I am thoroughly proud to call myself one. So in response to your audacious theories concerning an athletic sport you obviously know nothing about, well, now it's my turn to torture you. At the next game, if you just look at the team pyramids, the couples' stunts, and the human tosses, and then listen to how the crowd punctuates these performances with an excited "Whoaaaa", I don't think that even you, Shawn, would be so obtuse as not to see the level of difficulty involved. Sorry, but we don't need to resort to fist-fights or dropping team members (as you cleverly suggested) in the element of drama. Likewise, the different dances and the routine we perform to the Band's "Dr. Who" at critical time-outs (doubtless you'd call it incessant arm waving), are all part of an effort to get the metaphorical ball of excitement rolling, to get the fans out of their seats. With our "jumping and flipping around and screaming in low voices", all we are saying to the crowd is, "Stand up! Be proud! Let loose and scream!" In effect, we are fulfilling our roles to the fullest sense, as true cheer-leaders. I'm not even going to bother to address the hackneyed, sexist stereotypes that drape your introduction (I'll let the women's groups have a field day with that). As for your constant references to derriere-grabbing, team voyeurism and groping of each other ... don't inject what's not there. Go visit your nearest MACHO counselor to talk about the underpinnings of your obvious sexual discomfort instead of airing it in public. In short, I found only one thing palatable about your denigrating column: the fact that it appeared on alternate Fridays. So go home, Shawn, ponder your "Cunning Linguistics" in whatever way you wish, but know that I've scored a double victory. I at least get the satisfaction next spring of seeing the Cheerleaders at all the games (yes, they'll still be there and they'll still be damned good), while I get to digest the DP, hopefully without your column, in peace. Sandra Benemerito College '95