LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Budget Cuts Will Hit Home

To the Editor: When I look at the current Republican proposal on Capitol Hill, I view it with disdain, but I know for a fact it is not the worst proposal that the Republicans have openly discussed. And each one of these proposals have gone back to two basic principles: a) Republicans tend to be older than Democrats, and b) the Republicans don't have a realistic view of our country's future. If there is one constant in Congress, it is that many of the key players are not young whipper-snappers by any stretch. Such wonderful characters as Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond have exemplified a hypocritical stand on issues and have shown us that even the worst of people have followings. When the Republicans start talking about education and Welfare, they do not see it through the eyes of the average person, they see it through the eyes of a Congressman (unisex), who, upon retirement, will be receiving a pension for the rest of their lives. That's kind of a tainted view, don't you think? When do we put our foot down and tell the Republicans that, shock of shocks, higher education will lead us into the 21st century and beyond, when the high ranking Republicans of today are dead and buried? For my sake and yours, I hope it's soon! MARK HERSHENSON College '99 n To the Editor: This is the fourth year of my education at Penn. During those four years I have often disagreed with the sentiments expressed upon the Editorial Page. I have never written in. Why, one might question, would a seemingly safe practice of non-participation, be brought to a halt? The answer lies within a letter to the editor written by College Republicans Chairperson Dan Debicella (DP 9/26/95). Dan defends the congressional budget cuts' impact upon students at Penn, explaining that the additional debt we students would bear as a result of this plan is acceptable; indeed, it is negligible considering that, as Dan tells us, "Let's face it: nobody who graduates from Penn is going to be poor." While, as a graduating senior, this is, most definitely, a reassuring statement, I would venture to advance the theory that not everyone who graduates from this institution will make the same career choices as Dan. In fact, for the students whose choices lead them to jobs which satisfy their altruistic dreams rather than their wallets -- teaching or working for a non-profit organizations, this is not likely to be the case. Additionally, was the reassurance that "a lot of people are being hurt worse than Penn students in these budget cuts" supposed to reassure us? I hope not, because Dan's right about that. There are many people who will be hurt because of these budget cuts. The fact that many of us are relatively unaffected by the budget cuts should not make us insensitive to the devastation they will cause. Rebecca Hornstein College '96 Bring Back 'Street Society' To the Editor: As concerned Penn alumni, we have recently noticed a disturbing increase in the amount of sexually deviant behavior and irresponsible drunkenness here on our campus. As recent Penn graduates, we think that the absence of Street Society has contributed to this rising trend. Street Society served as a monitor to the Penn community. No longer is there an incentive to control one's inhibitions since there is no means of being exposed to one's peers. (No pun intended) As we walked across campus Saturday night we noticed an exorbitant amount of students engaging in public displays of affection and urination. Please bring Street Society back to 34th Street. Jamey Tesler College '95 Sean McGRath Wharton '95 Headlines Should Reflect Focus To the Editor: Once again you have done damage that by no means is not irreparable. But first let me state that I do not take my grievances to be fact. I realize that I am expressing my opinion. I felt that the headline, "Penn Walk plagued by prejudice: Students afraid to walk with black escorts" (DP 9/28/95) should be ranked amongst your most incendiary headlines. Headlines at first glance have the potential to incite anger and confusion. I am definitely giving Penn students credit for reading entire articles not purely headlines. But must headlines always stray away from the main point of the article solely for the purposes of attracting readers? Do you not have enough confidence in your readership? I commend you for exposing the ignorance and prejudices of a select portion of the Penn community. It is really unfortunate that some people refuse an opportunity for protection while simultaneously denying themselves a potentially enlightening experience. Some of my good friends work as walking escorts. They are black, intelligent, personable, humorous human beings. However, why was there not a balance of sides within this article? Did the article make black walking escort students into victims that are to be feared or pitied? Why didn't the article speak about the solutions which Victim Support Services are utilizing in order to prevent such prejudiced instances from recurring? Did the reporter not ask such questions? If such question were asked, what lead to their premeditated omission? I feel that my last question should stand on its own. I think it is to be agreed that the beginning of this article states the fear that some have of black escorts. Is the following fact: "Penn Walk employees are given criminal background checks and are trained and closely supervised by the Department Public Safety" included in order to ease any of the racial biases that some my have? As you can see that would be just cause to reflect on the fact that "black" is too often linked with the word "criminal." To reflect on the notion that racial fears cannot be relieved by assuring those requesting walks that they are not walking with "criminals." Isn't it painfully obvious that Victim Support would do a crime check on its employees or have they slipped in the past? In the future I hope that the DP will be more selective with its sensationalistic headlines. On matters of importance such as this one, headlines should reflect the real focus of the article without painting such grim pictures. EarthseAsia Slowe College '96