Letters to the Editor

Research shows risks of abortions

Regarding 'Letters to the Editor: Abortion op-ed uses widely discredited partisan science' (Monday, Jan. 15, 2007):

Chris Moses GS, you've got me! Why haven't I just come clean and admitted that all I (and pro-lifers in general) really want is the subjugation of women? My five older sisters always got more Christmas presents anyway.

Moses hasn't addressed or responded to the charge that there is, at the least, a reasonable possibility of adverse side effects from abortion. No one knows for certain, so studies continue.

For example, in 1994 Dr. Janet Daling, who is pro-choice, published a study in the Journal for the National Cancer Institute, which indicates much higher risks of breast cancer for women who have had abortion(s). Then, in a 1997 interview published by the Los Angeles Daily News, Dr. Daling made the following statement: "I would have loved to have found no association between breast cancer and abortion, but our research is rock solid, and our data is accurate."

I would echo her sentiments. So Chris, talk to your people at Pro-Choice Vox — they won't return my emails — and let's host a joint event with Pro-Choice and Pro-Life to discuss this important issue for women's health. The hubris shown thus far by Moses and Pro-Choice Vox is dangerous for women, who aren't getting the health information they deserve.

Tom Haine '08

Letter was patronizing to women

Regarding 'Letters to the Editor: Abortion op-ed uses widely discredited partisan science' (Monday, Jan. 15, 2007):

Christopher Moses' GS claim that Tom Haine '08 used partisan data in a guest oped rings hollow beside the reality of reproductive research today. Even the most ostensibly mainstream figures often have partisan affiliations. The fact that Dr. James Trussel, head of Princeton's Office of Population Research, also sits on the National Medical Committee of Planned Parenthood and the boards of the NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation and the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute does not necessarily invalidate his research or ensure its accuracy. The same follows for conservative researchers.

Moses depicts women as so helpless compared to himself that it sounds, if not patriarchal, then patronizing. Despite the insistence with which people like Moses claim that every woman is just a victim-in-waiting, most females today would disagree. As American women become increasingly empowered, the image of the distressed damsel will cease to resonate altogether. Pro-abortion politicians are likely to become the final victims of the politics of victimhood.

Matthew Schmitz '08 Publisher, The Princeton Tory

GS should stay away from abortion talk

Regarding 'Letters to the Editor: Abortion op-ed uses widely discredited partisan science' (Monday, Jan. 15, 2007):

Christopher Moses GS should stick to what grad students do best — poorly precepting classes and occasionally hitting on undergrads on the Street — and stay away from topics grad students know nothing about. Namely, sex and its related issues.

Michael Van Landingham '08 Editor-in-Chief, Tiger Magazine

Joke highlights professor's extreme views

Regarding 'George caught with gay hooker' (Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007):

I have just read your salacious article accusing my good colleague, professor Robert George, of engaging in a secret homosexual life. The editors should be spanked for allowing such an inflammatory piece to appear in a publication adorned with the name of our esteemed University. Professor George is the straightest man I have ever met. He has argued eloquently that the only God-approved location for a man to ejaculate is within the vagina of a female member of the human species to whom he is married with the grace of God (see "In Defense of Natural Law," Oxford University Press, 1999, p. 144). All other methods for obtaining sexual pleasure — in solitude, marriage or fornication — are patently immoral. Please give Professor George the respect he deserves for working tirelessly to impose his extremist views on all other Americans.

Lee M. Silver Professor of Molecular Biology and Public Affairs

Joke piece disappoints

Regarding 'Joke op-ed sparks ire, controversy' (Friday, Jan. 19, 2007):

The Daily Princetonian has a responsibility to be respectful to all members of the University community. The recent joke issue perpetuated stereotypes and showed a lack of sensitivity around historically significant struggles on campus and in America. Racism has not disappeared. Civil rights lawsuits to equal access education, changing our names or disguising our identities and limited employment prospects are not things from the distant past.

The University's current admissions office delicately balances the desire to provide opportunities to a wide variety of excellent students. That has not always been true — "we" were welcomed at other leading academic institutions long before we were welcomed at Princeton. Periodic examination of the admissions process is important and necessary.

The "we" mentioned above could describe many "new" members of the Princeton Community — blacks, Asians, Latinos, women, international students, gays and lesbians. When the 'Prince's attempt at humor singled out a group of us for derision, for whatever purpose it may claim, it negatively affected the critical balance and sense of community between all of us!

The Association of Black Princeton Alumni stand with the Asian American Alumni Association of Princeton and the many other voices that have expressed their disappointment.

Kenneth M. Bruce '83, Catherine J. Toppin '02, Brittani L. Kirkpatrick '05, Danielle Aileen DiPenti '05, Catherine J. Toppin, Esq. '02, Charles C. Davis, Jr. Esq. '76, Karen S. Ali, Esq. '78, Marguerite Hadley Vera '79, Sheryl L. Williams, Esq. '86, Maisha O. Walker '94, Ugwunna Ikpeowo '96, Howard "Nat" Piggee, Esq. '96, Kevin C. Hudson '97, Kevin M. Ghorm '99, Penelope Jones, Esq. '99, Stephanie R. Mash '04 ABPA Board of Directors

Satire is a useful tool

Regarding 'Joke op-ed sparks ire, controversy' (Friday, Jan. 19, 2007):

I have no doubt many were "offended" by the "distasteful" Lian Ji satire. Well, I kinda thought that was the whole point of satire — to stir things up and tick people off. From Swift's "A Modest Propopsal" to Borat's "Throw the Jew Down the Well," satire in the hands of a free press is a tool healthy societies have used to discomfit the establishment — usually for the better.

These days, "the establishment" on most university campuses is a stifling Orwellian amalgam of political correctness, multicultural pretension and group victimology masquerading as "tolerance." The anguished hand-wringing by students and faculty alike shows that this particular satirical barb found its mark. I am only dismayed that the 'Prince' felt the need to apologize to its detractors. C'mon, 'Prince.' If part of your job is to upset the apple cart, don't rush to right it at the first sign of wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Peter Paine '85

U. needs a better tenure policy

Regarding 'Seminars receive mixed marks' (Friday, Jan. 19, 2007):

The rarity of inspiring undergraduate teaching at Princeton is partly a consequence of the University's tenure policy. As long as tenure decisions depend almost exclusively on journal articles and monographs in narrow, specialized fields, Princeton's faculty will be better equipped to deliver papers at academic conferences than to lead intellectually engaging seminars. Other factors — student assessments of teaching, writing and speaking ability, breadth of knowledge outside a selected subfield — are given disturbingly little weight.

President Tilghman once told me that Princeton's ideal was to achieve a happy medium between the small liberal arts college and the large research university. I'm afraid that balance has been tilted dramatically in favor of the research university. Teaching won't improve at Princeton until the equilibrium in tenure decisions is restored.

Erik Linstrum '06 Former 'Prince' editor

U. supports ROTC

Regarding 'Princeton, in the nation's service?' (Monday, Jan. 22, 2007):

It was great to see this article about Princeton alums and the lack of them in military service. Thank you for highlighting the important need for members of elite universities like Princeton and students from the nation's privileged classes to understand and appreciate the need for their participation, indeed leadership in, military service. Mark Reinhardt '01 is a great example of Princetonians who have served, and served well. Since its inception, The Alumni and Friends of Princeton ROTC has encouraged support among alumni for the students in the current programs and promoted appreciation of the importance of military service — and its benefits to individuals as well. In particular, we have been encouraged by and are grateful for the consistent support ROTC has received from the University's leadership.

Doug Lovejoy GS '68

Arts lacking in 'Prince'

Regarding 'A farewell from the 130th Board' (Monday, Jan. 22, 2007):

One thing the online version of the 'Prince' lacked a lot this year was articles about the arts (especially theater and dance groups). I'm not sure if the printed version had an arts section as in previous years, but it should be included and touted in the future. I believe it was one of the best, most interesting sections that displayed the campus culture and diversity.

Benito San Miguel '03

USG lacking in vegetarian study breaks

Last Monday, Jan. 22, the USG held a Hoagie Haven study break. Like the several hundred other students I saw who showed up, I was tired of finals, ready for an excuse to procrastinate from studying and hungry. Unfortunately, I was informed at the table where they had set up the sandwiches that I could not eat any of the hoagies, because they had neglected to purchase a single vegetarian sub.

Admittedly, Hoagie Haven is no haven for vegetarians. But they do have vegetarian options. While the USG should not have to cater to every individual's dietary needs, they should at least acknowledge that the decently sized minority of Princeton students who choose not to eat meat pay the same fees to support the USG as anyone else and provision study breaks accordingly.

Deep down, I really just want my eggplant parmesan.

Alex Barnard '09 Treasurer, Princeton Animal Welfare Society