To the Editor:
I would like to register my disappointment with The Dartmouth's coverage of the Spring Conference of the Ivy League Coalition for Life or lack thereof. If you are not aware the Dartmouth Coalition for Life hosted the conference this past weekend, here at Dartmouth.
Under the tireless and excellent leadership of Kevin Walsh '98, the DCFL was able to put on a wonderful conference which featured wonderful speakers, discussion and dialogue. But all of this went unheralded by The Dartmouth on Monday. There was no mention of Mr. Walsh's sincere, hard work on behalf of Dartmouth. How can I say on the behalf of Dartmouth? As a place of liberal learning, we should pride ourselves on diverse speakers and ideas -- even if they happen to be those with which The Dartmouth does not agree.
And the conference truly did serve as a means towards furthering liberal learning. Speakers included: Olivia Gans, a woman who aborted her own child; Dr. Pamela Smith Ob/Gyn, who spoke from a doctor's perspective; Douglas Scott, who helped to shed light on planned parenthood; and the articulate and energetic, Dr. Alan Keyes. Dr. Keyes, a former ambassador, brought a large crowd at Dartmouth Hall to its feet after his rousing speech. After these speeches conference participants took part in workshop sessions in which they learned of various facets of the pro-life movement.
But, alas, not one of these things was mentioned in The Dartmouth. There was no mention of Walsh's wonderful work. There was no inquiry into why students from Washington D.C., Princeton and Providence, would make the long trip to Hanover, a place off the beaten path. There was no mention of Dr. Keyes' brilliant oratory or the personal, heart-wrenching story of Olivia Gans -- a story which would have been wonderful to share so that those in the Dartmouth Community who are entertaining thoughts of abortion would know what the effects truly are. For instance, 90 percent of those couples (married and unmarried) who abort their child are together after five years.
I must voice my severe displeasure. It is unconscionable that none of this received a mention. The Dartmouth reviews things often from the previous weekend. One wonders why it did not occur now. Is there a possible bias? I would like to think not and the present moment I do not. Possibly, the reporter was sick or the story just not juicy enough. I know not the answer. I only hope to receive one.
