LETTERS: Rodin disgraced U. with Jiang visit

To the Editor: When University President Judith Rodin tells the president of China that "the power of [his] leadership [is] evident," she is condoning his human rights violations. Rodin is condoning the capture and imprisonment of the then 7-year old Panchen Lama, the innocent little boy who is being held as the youngest prisoner of conscience in the world. When Rodin tells President Jiang that "it is fitting that you chose to honor [Penn] with your visit," she is bringing shame to the faculty and students at the University. It disgusts me to learn that Rodin is honored that a murderer is visiting the university. It disgusts me to think that the Tiananmen Square massacre has been pushed to the back of our minds. How can we ignore what happened during the protests for democracy in 1989? China's human rights record is among the worst in the world. The government kills political dissidents and propagates an antiquated breed of fascism and totalitarianism. Penn's close and friendly ties with the People's Republic of China are shameful in light of China's painful disregard of the rights of its people and the peaceful Tibetans. Marcel Benjamin College and Wharton '01 No sympathy for assaulted cops To the Editor: In response to the DP article "Cops, suspect sent to HUP in bizarre assault," (DP, 10/31/97) I would like to present some important issues. First, I have no sympathy for the officers that were injured and I believe they got what they deserved. What I'm saying may seem cruel and insensitive, but this is merely a reflection of the insensitivity I've received from the University police department. Secondly, I have no doubt in my mind that if the student who assaulted the officers was black that he would be in a morgue today. I've seen how University police respond to supposedly black suspects; it is not a pretty sight. Third, there were "nearly 60 officers there." Now you do the math. There were three suspects and 60 officers; that's 20 officers per suspect. Are the University police that inefficient that they need 20 officers per suspect? If that is the case, we are wasting our money on these incompetent officers. We should just do away with the force altogether. God help the department if one of the men had a gun. They would probably need an additional 60 officers to get the situation under control. Lastly, one of my friends was on the scene and he said there was a puddle of blood left after the cops subdued the suspect. To get that much blood from someone, you would probably have to hit them in the head repeatedly. Was all that force necessary? After all, they had 60 supposedly well trained officers at the scene! Kenrick Waithe Engineering '98 Burgeoning community relations To the Editor: Pizza, soda and neighborly conversation were the order on Tuesday evening as the Office of Community and City Relations and the 4200 Pine Street Block Association held the first "Getting to know your reception," between Penn students and long-term neighborhood residents. Marja Hoek-Smit, a Penn employee and her husband Jan, hosted nearly 50 students and neighbors, brought together in he spirit of fostering better community interaction. The reception, the first of what will be more gatherings to be held this fall throughout Spruce Hill, served as an introduction between neighbors and Penn and PCPS students. The receptions are an opportunity for residents and students to learn more about each other and the strengths that they bring the community. Judging from the large turnout, the evening was a huge success, as the participants munched on pizza, introducing themselves in a relaxed, cozy atmosphere. "It was very rewarding, the spirit was high," said Marja Hoek-Smit, a nine-year block, 20-year University City resident. "We have gotten to know each other in our block and adjacent blocks which makes for a very different living environment." A number of students commented that they didn't realize the level of diversity and vitality existing on their blocks? Linda Blythe, president of the Spruce Hill Community Association block captains, said that in addition to the individual block receptions being planned with community and city relations, the block captains are looking forward to hosting a large student-community reception in early November as par of the overall "Getting to know you," effort. Glenn Bryan Director, Office of Community Relations