To the Editor:
First, you are certainly doing a splendid job of covering this horrible tragedy. As an outsider, I am rather shocked that the university has not offered a reward for information. I hope justice prevails for these two distinguished faculty members, but it appears the police there are not being very productive -- so sad.
Helen Smith
To the Editor:
I want to you to know what an outstanding job the paper is doing of covering the tragic murder of your two professors. I am especially impressed that the paper beat the other local "professional" media outlets. Sending out a mass e-mail of the news was the best thing you could have done the night you broke the story.
Great job! You set a great example for other college newspapers.
Jayette Bolinski
Cape Girardeau, MO
To the Editor:
As the parent of an '02, I have been following the news surrounding the Zantop murders by reading The Dartmouth online and by going to Dartmouth's website. I find that I must comment on the inappropriateness of the article in Tuesday's D written by David Klein entitled, "Past murders were few and far between." How insensitive can all of you be to allow an article like that to appear in your newspaper? When you had your editorial meeting to accept or reject that idea, what were you thinking? How could you possibly have thought that an article that prints a laundry list of past murders and then goes on to summarize all the suicides that have occurred at Dartmouth is newsworthy? I feel that the article was extremely insensitive and inappropriate. What purpose was served by that article? I don't think that anyone was helped in their grief or confusion by reading about past murders. Murder is not something that should be the subject of a "compare and contrast" article. I further resent the almost joking tone used to describe the murder committed by the bootlegger, as if it was funny that someone would be killed in a dispute over whiskey. Surely the editors used poor judgment in allowing this story to be printed. There is also no reason to compare murder and suicide except that both involve death, but to lump them together and list them all in a story is a reach, and not a good story after all. We all know that murder almost never happens in the sleepy town of Hanover. We did not need The D to print a summary of past murders to verify this. I am disappointed in the editors and their decision-making process on this one.
Crystal Kofke
Monson, MA
To the Editor:
You are being very kind to the Attorney General, reporting what he says and not pointing out the gaps in reasoning we are to accept, when he basically says that very little, if anything, is actually known about who is involved in this crime, but that the community need not worry about further danger from the killer(s). But, he says, public safety is his primary concern. Is something missing here? The AG did not study logic at Dartmouth, I bet. I hope.
PLEASE, if you are attending his noon meetings, ASK REAL QUESTIONS. Maybe get more real answers. This is sounding a bit too much like Boulder, CO school of investigation and no-speak. Thank you.
R.A. Stevens
To the Editor:
I would just like to compliment The Dartmouth and its staff for the outstanding job that it is doing in these incredibly tragic circumstances.
As an alum, it is reassuring to know that we can still look to The D as the place for news.
Raymond Burns '86
To the Editor:
I think you're doing a great job of reporting this awful story. Obviously, none of the other media can afford the space to be as comprehensive as The Dartmouth, but you're hitting on details that grads can identify with as a result of familiarity with the campus. You're the site I turn to first each day to learn more.
Jim Rooks '67
To the Editor:
I have been following the events on campus through the Web, and your coverage has consistently been thorough, lively and responsible. Keep it up.
Anne Bagamery '78
Paris, France
To the Editor:
Thank you all for your hard work in the last few days. I'm finding that your site is the only one on the Web with any information at all on the Zantops' deaths. It helps to feel connected when things are so confusing.
Let your staff know that they are appreciated.
Liz Harris
To the Editor:
Your coverage of the tragedy has been superb! You have touched all facets of the unfolding story, and every piece I have seen has been sensitive, informative, and focused. The alumni community -- as you have written -- is as devastated by this event as have you on campus; I, for one, depend for my information upon you. I'm proud of you all!
Richard C. Cahn '53
