LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Justice Takes Its Course

To the Editor: First, as a Journalism major in undergraduate school and a newspaper reporter for a time, I found the DP's reporting of the event to be reprehensible. It was slanted, sensationalized, distorted, and incomplete. It frequently contained factual errors. I would ask for specific retractions, but you don't have enough column-inches. Admittedly, the defense rarely talks to the press. Conversely, prosecutors and civil attorneys are eager to talk to the media, especially when they have no case, and hope to win by manipulating the media, and public opinion. Inexperienced and/or malicious journalists lap it up -- there is advertising time and space to sell, and nothing sizzles like a high-profile "sex trial." In my case, prosecutors and the civil attorney were particularly eager to talk the press in an effort to deflect attention from the real issue: as stated in opening argument, this was not a case about sex or pornography, it was a case about extortion. I would like to think that the DP's reporting of my case was due to incompetence. However, as I review the articles -- with all the innuendo, repetition of "sensational" tid-bits, and factual errors -- I conclude that the reporting appears to be based on sheer malice, and I cannot understand the source of it. In any case, I deeply resent the DP's continuing attempts to smear my reputation. It is gutter press at its worst. My second comment is that I have come to believe that there is something deeply wrong with the criminal justice system. I guess I join many other people in that opinion. My ordeal lasted 25 months, in large part due to the fact that law enforcement officials: (1) failed to investigate our report of the extortion attempt; (2) failed to pursue wiretap evidence of it, although they promised to do so; and (3) tried every legal maneuver to block admission of the videotaped extortion attempt into evidence. I simply cannot understand why the individual who tried to extort me is not incarcerated. Perhaps I missed a recent change in the law. Is extortion now legal? Third, I deeply appreciate the support of my students, my faculty colleagues, and the University and Wharton administration. I deeply regret the negative publicity, but anyone can make an accusation against anybody, about anything. Finally, in my 25 years of working with troubled adolescents, I know that one takes risks working with high-risk kids. A recent broadcast of "20/20" contained a story entitled "Teacher Touched Me." The story documented many tragic cases similar to mine, and described consequences, such as teachers being forbidden to even touch children, requirements that teachers and volunteer workers are never to be alone with young people, etc. Penn students generously donate their time to help others, just as I did as a student and continued to do. However, in light of what happened to me, I urge everyone to very carefully consider whether it is worth the risk to volunteer efforts to help people less fortunate than we are. It is a sad and tragic commentary, indeed. Scott Ward Marketing Professor Raising a Moot Point To the Editor: I have read with interest the Daily Pennsylvanian article "Alumni Examine 'Gazette' Concerns" (10/26/95). As a member of a task force asked, during the 1994-1995 academic year, to examine communication by the university with its alumni, I would offer the following comments: -- The task force reviewed virtually all of the alumni targeted publications of the University. As The Pennsylvania Gazette is the primary vehicle through which this linkage is made, the Gazette was the major focus of our activity. -- A task force report dated Sep. 14, 1995 offers a number of recommendations on how the group felt changes could be made that would improve the Gazette in its communication with alumni. -- None of the recommendations compromise the editorial independence of the publication. It appears that a reaction to change has raised an issue where none really exists. Walter Offermann Wharton '58 n To the Editor: I am writing in response to the articles which appeared in the Gazette on Oct. 26, 1995 and The Weekly Pennsylvanian on Oct. 10, 1995. I have long been active in University alumni activities and have always taken great pride in the outstanding alumni magazine that Penn produced. While not always agreeing with what the Gazette chose to publish, I have nonetheless felt that it has richly deserved the numerous awards it has received as the best alumni magazine in the nation. However, inasmuch as it is an alumni magazine, I often wondered why it did not have more alumni news and information concerning what is happening on the campus. It is after all, by its own mission statement, supposed to objectively communicate news concerning the University and its alumni, making the alumni aware of the activities at the University and the involvement of the alumni therein. I was pleased to see the results of the Porter/Novelli report, which was undertaken by the GAS Communications Committee Task Force, which shows that the vast amount of alumni wanted to see more information about themselves and the faculty. It confirmed my feelings. I take exception to Samuel Maitin's comments that the task force should not be given any credence. If anyone read the Communications Committee's draft report, they can see that there was nothing in it that criticized the current Gazette editor or the magazine's high quality. It seems to me that Mr. Maitin, and others, are attempting to create a problem where none exists. Since his publications committee is a part of the General Alumni Society, I would like to see them expend some effort trying to find an independent means of financing the Gazette. He has told me that a subscription effort should be looked into, and I think that his publications subcommittee of the GAS would be the appropriate advisory board to do so. Again, I want to express my dismay that so much effort has been made to undermine the initiative of the General Alumni Society in its continuing search to serve all University alumni. Norman Hetrick Alumni Trustee College '65 Save the Sidewalks To the Editor: It is time to do some intensive education of bicyclers regarding the law, and common courtesy. Many of us pedestrians are tired of sharing our sidewalks with speeding bikers. A few weeks ago, at noon I encountered four college-age bikers. One of them, passing me from behind on the right as I turned toward a building at my right, came within a breath of knocking me down. This is the fourth near-assault by bike that I've experienced on campus. I stopped at the police mini-station at 3929 Walnut to ask if I am correct in my impression that bike-riding on sidewalks is against the law. "Yes, except for children," was the reply. I related the above incident and was told that the law is not enforced because the police have more serious crime to respond to. Now, how are people to learn the law, let alone have any respect for it, if it's not enforced at some time? Does one have to be knocked down, possibly injured, before attention is paid? If I had been injured by a biker, in view of an officer, would that officer apprehend the biker? I'd be the victim of a crime, just as surely as if I'd been mugged by a street hoodlum. It seems to me that public safety can be promoted by having some authority figures stop bikers on the sidewalk, and confiscating their bikes for a time, or at the least, escorting the bikers to the street. Or, why not set up sidewalk traps for bikers from time to time, just as highway patrols set speed traps for motorists? If offending bikers had to show identification, it might alter their behavior. Please help to preserve our sidewalks for pedestrians and child-oriented vehicles. With bikers and street vendors taking over our sidewalks, pedestrians will soon be crowded into the streets. Ruth Mellman University City resident Rabin Remembered To the Editor: On behalf of the State of Israel, I would like to thank the University of Pennsylvania community, President Judith Rodin and the University Hillel for a moving ceremony on Monday afternoon, November 6, in memory of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The show of support was overwhelming and was greatly appreciated in this time of mourning. I believe the presence of so many students and faculty, both Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and secular, is a testament to the life he led. From warrior to peacemaker, Yitzhak Rabin led our country from a small, struggling community to become a strong, vital nation. His road to peace was a reflection of the changing times, of a change in the language of the Middle East from was and bloodshed to peace and prosperity. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's vision of peace will only be fulfilled if we continue to support the Mideast peace process. Again, I thank you all for your support in this time of need. Eli Avidar Consul Consulate General of Israel in Philadelphia