Dear Mr. Lai,

Women represent the largest percentage of students in this intellectual institution, and deserve to be treated as per- sons and not as inanimate objects (i.e. beer or beer bottles). Anyone who is a human being is outraged at such a degrading and demora- lizing view of women _ pre- sented in last week’s issue of the Gem: ‘‘Engineer’s View from the Top’’. We are sure that future employers of En-

YOUR COMMENTS

gineers from this institution would question the social implications of hiring indivi- duals who have such low opinions of fellow human beings.

Is this page actually repre- sentative of the Engineering students? If so, then perhaps they need to publish their own newsletter to the few who might be interested.

As the editor, of a Student Union operated newspaper,

the Gem, you and your staff must shoulder responsibility for allowing degrading ma- terial such as ‘‘Why Beer Is Better Than Some Women’’ to

reach print. As a portion of

our student fees go to pay your salary and publication of this newsletter, we expect your standards to be higher. Articles such as this should be filed in the garbage can where they belong. Your judgement as editor and that of your staff is questioned by the undersigned:

Ian Hogg Janet O’ Donnell Wanda Whitlock

Dear Editor,

The recent edition of the student newspaper printed an article ‘‘Why a Beer is Better Than Some Women.’ I was shocked by. this display of sexism and insensitivity: to- ward women.

To better understand the positive contributions made by 1en and the biases; stereo-

ind devaluation’ of

1y attention

is. currently

ilated attacking the

contents of the October 16th issue of The Gem.

I write. this letter not to further attack you, but to encourage you in the face of this assault. It has been some time since the Gem published anything worth reading, ‘let alone worth debating.

In fixing your editorial policy, you have made deci- sions on what you will publish and what yo will not. Do not be swayed from your chosen policy. Do not let yourself be dictated to. If you do, then in short time you’ll find that you will soon be publishing two thousand individual editions to keep everyone happy.

This letter should not be viewed as condoning the articles under fire. I am no

engineering, and the objecti- vity of women.)

The article in the student newspaper serves a reminder to people working to improve

the status of women that there ,

Ms. Lor Ane Heckber

editor, The previous editor

(Rahs

is some fundamental educa- tion lacking in the lives of our boys. Sincerely, Dianne Porter P.E.1. Advisory Council on Status of Women

interested in the Engi-

rs’ views on women than

| am in the average rainfall in South America. However, «I support your decision to pub- lish what you see fit. Freedom

of the press is a basic tenet of

our society and [ can think of no better place to practice it than at. this institution of higher learning. Sincerely, Gordon Stewart Education Senior

Dear Editor:

Just a few quick lines to express my opinion on the most recent engineer’s page, or what should be renamed “THE VIEW FROM THE PITS’’. I realize the engineers believe they have a God-given right to insult any and every-

_ one but honestly ... I will not

comment on the article on the far left dealing with beer and women as I believe the ‘‘fair sex’? will comment on that article themselves. However, the remainder of their page I can and will comment on.

The cartoon was in poor

ee SSS

taste, if not.down right low- life. As a ‘‘bio’*.one of my roles in life will be the search for new life forms but I really hope that I never have the (dis-)honor of ‘discovering an engineering (‘‘very low life’’) form. I understand that you are required to give those people (and I use the term lightly, ugh) a page in your paper but is it not possible to exercise some control over them? In effect, give them a license (editorial or what-ever)

to prevent such dribble from

(dis-)gracing our newspaper. Sincerely, Dave

— earn ered 5 ————— LS SY ~

Marina Battams Cathy Robertson Barbara Peacock Ann Arsenault Shelley Mills Linda Gordon Lorraine Graham Krista Jaeger Kevin Curran Janice Robertson Donna Perry Ticia McInnis Susan Laviolette Pam Handrahan Shawn Naylor Claudia A. Mitchell Roger Black:

Robert Mahen Beth Percival Alanna Boswell Maureen Profit

’ Karen Miller Florence McCarey Shawn Naylor Cathy Boudreau Chris Bulman Carol Cusack Michael Trainor Bernadette Scheller Michelle Kinney Shelley Jackson Michelle Deighan Janet M. Armstrong Brenda Simpson Shauneen J. Hood — Colleen Gallant Ann E. Currie

Dear Mr. Lai:

As per our telephone con- versation, I am_ officially notifying you of my displeasure in reading an article entitled, “‘Why beer is better than some women’? in The Gem’s Oct. 16, 1986 issue (The Engineers Bi-weely page). I do not share your view that the article is

the exclusive responsibility of

the engineers on campus. Yes,

they should be held account-

able. however, as the editor.of

the ‘‘jewel of the island’*, you

ENA A LN LN ESO ER LT ED 5 ADT EIT

Dear Editor,

It is difficult to respond to an article you printed in last Netted Gem, “‘Why beer is ‘better than’ some women’’, for this ‘article has

week’s

offended my very spirit.

I am very disappointed that the Netted Gem would con- sidering printing any form of hate literature. Would the editor print blatantly. racist material knowing the students both black and white would be offended? Would the UPEI student newspaper agree to

are ultimately responsible for what is printed.

My senses were assaulted by the content of this article. Not only is it degrading to women, words such as ‘‘unacceptable”’ and ‘‘offensive’’ immediately come to mind. If this is the best The Gem has to. offer, perhaps, it is time to re-evluate the objectives of this student newspaper.

Sincerely, Anna Sawicki

Extension Representative

print anti-semetic literature

without being concerned about offénding all- people of faith?

Women represent more than fifty percent of the human race. Women“of ‘all colours, women of all faiths, women around the world take offence to such brazen misogyny.

Despairing the lack “of re- sponsibility shown to~ your readers and the affront to women everywhere.

Sincerely, Terry Mitchell, for Women’s Network

Dear Editor:

I.was appalled when. 1 read the most recent edition of your newspaper. The article com- paring a woman to a_ beer bottle was disgusting and of- fensive. My only hope is that the sentiments of the author are not pervasive on_ the campus.

As an alumnus I am feeling, for the first time, embarrass- ment about the University I graduated from. At the pre-

sent time a major fundraising drive is being conducted in aid of the University. and I would expect that your article will influence a number of people’s pocketbooks.

The article has been written and published but I strongly suggest that you, as editor, write an editorial condemning

the article. Yours sincerely, Donna McGaugh Waddell Class of ’76