Letters to the Editor: March 13, 2008

Conservative center's critics are missing the point

Regarding ‘Letters to the Editor,' (Tuesday, March 11, 2008):

I appreciated Hal Parker '08's beautifully worded and consistently confused letter to the editor. But there was very little substance under all that style. Judging my ideas "poorly thought-out," Hal never stooped from his heights to reveal how.

The LGBT Center institutionalizes a progressive ideology not by offering support for LGBT-oriented people and combating bigotry (which everyone should do) but when it promotes progressive sexual and familial ethics and lifestyles. Despite Hal's mellifluously muddled logic, there is indeed a difference between defending the inherent equality of personal dignity despite sexual orientation and promoting a progressive and libertine sexual ideology of a post-gender world where anything goes. Such an ideological one-sidedness is clear at LGBT Center events despite the fact that we all wish the LGBT Center were unbiased in this regard. Consequently, if the University has decided to offer institutional support for such a progressive sexual ideology, it should in all fairness do the same for traditional ideas of family and sexuality.

It is important to note that there is no need to pit these two centers against one another. A center for traditional familial and sexual ethics (for example, this center could provide University support and preparation for marriage) would not hamper the LGBT Center's current role or scope in the least, but would only help balance the current bias.

I agree, Hal: The weather is generally quite nice at Princeton. There are just a few dark clouds here and there that can easily be cleared up.

Tom Haine '08

HUM sequence ‘boot camp' is not for everyone

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

Regarding ‘Apologia pro studio suo,' (Monday, March 10, 2008):

I liked Brendan Carroll '10's ideas. Being an alumna of the HUM sequence, however, I'd like to tweak his argument just a little bit. Part of what makes the HUM sequence such a great experience is that it is a course students must apply for.

It has traditionally nurtured Princeton's finest humanities students and a majority of HUM sequence kids go on to major in classics, comparative literature, French and Italian, and English.

There are courses like the HUM sequence, the COM 200s series, taught by brilliant faculty members such as Daniel Heller-Roazen, which are designed a little differently from the HUM sequence and allow all types of students to benefit.

I have heard that in the years after mine, the HUM sequence had been opened to sophomores, etc. This is a bad idea on the part of the faculty acting as administration. Theodore Rabb, one of the founders, called it a "bootcamp" on our first day of classes.

I'm pretty sure not about every single student on this campus particularly wants that.

Maryam Kahn '08

It's time to stop defending Nava with unfounded allegations

Regarding ‘Letters to the Editor,' (Tuesday, March 11, 2008):

Adam Ernst '10 needs to demonstrate two things before accusing Hal Parker '08. First, is he "supporter of the LGBT?" Mr. Parker was writing against the preposterous "Chastity Center" idea. Second, he needs to prove that Francisco Nava '09 is "mentally ill."

So far as anyone knows, there is no evidence of this. Do not defend someone's ridiculous actions by claiming medical problem when all proof indicates otherwise.

Michael van Landingham '08