TO THE EDITOR: Go Home, Marcotti

In view of his apparent disdain for normative grammar, I am saddened to think that Mr. Jones made his way into Penn. In this era of political correctness, Mr. Jones would have us believe that Biren Johnson's "?to my companion and I (sic)?" is "entirely grammatical." Grammar serves a role in society; it facilitates the exchange of information, both in our time, and through the generations. Gabriele Marcotti is responsible for editing outrageous mistakes, such as those that appeared in Johnson's column. In his column ("Count Your Blessings" DP, 12/05/94), Mr. Marcotti enumerates some of Penn's strengths, calling students overcritical of their school. I applaud him for his efforts, but who can blame Penn students for their lingering feelings of academic inferiority when the DP allows pre-WATU "talents" to surface unedited on its editorial page?! If Marcotti wants "those in the know, both in academia and in the workplace," to continue to appreciate Penn, perhaps some change is in order. The title of his column, "Land of the Stoopid," and his disparaging potshots at rural and suburban Americans ("backwater inbred farm town or antiseptic generic suburb") demonstrate his dislike for much of the United States. On the other hand, he reserves high praises for West Philadelphia ("?a unique learning experience?"). Perhaps, he will "learn" the hard way, while some students remain: "?terrified dorks who take Escort from the Quad to Van Pelt?" In the meantime, if Mr. Marcotti has such harsh criticisms of the American people, perhaps he should return to Milano (or, as we still spell it in this country, Milan). Adam Cooper Wharton '97