To the Editor:
I just read Jorge Miranda's Op-Ed "Trying Hard," in the April 26th issue of The Dartmouth. I won't get into my opinion of the validity of either his or The Dartmouth's argument, but I would like to address his tone. He begins with among the most idiotic statements regarding the student press that I've ever read: "I don't understand why students attack other students. Maybe I never will. Do people get a satisfaction out of criticizing the Student Assembly? The Dartmouth Editorial Board certainly does, as was reflected in yesterday's house editorial." Now, either he is incredibly oblivious to what Op-Ed pages are meant to do -- criticize -- or he is feigning naivete in order to have others share your indignation. He is an elected campus leader. As such, it is The Dartmouth's duty to "attack" him. God forbid Dartmouth was a campus on which no one attacked each other, everyone got along (or pretended to) and so forth. Not only would campus discourse be anathema to the dialogical academic one it ought to emulate, but it would be a profoundly boring place. Not to mention, were it not for argument, what would ever get done about changing Dartmouth.
So, almost needless to say, he is way off in your basic complaint. More than that, his letter is whiny and childish. Note the following excerpts:
"For some reason that was never printed, or acknowledged in your editorial or articles about the protest. Hmm, I wonder why."
"The Dartmouth reports on what it wants to report on."
"And need I remind you, mighty Editorial Board, that all the stories you wrote about the Education Department this year came because the Student Assembly was proactive and handed you the story. You didn't discover that they were hiring new professors -- I flat out told you."
"How silly is that statement?"
"What in the hell is The Dartmouth talking about?"
I realize these all have contexts, but they're poorly written, overly-personal and extremely petty. There is a debate to be had on the SA's role, what it does, what it doesn't do and so forth. But one thing that he should certainly do as the president of an Ivy League student body is conduct himself in a manner befitting the office. For starters, be dignified enough to avoid asking questions that begin with "what the hell" and words like "silly." "I flat out told you?" This comment comes across as nothing so much as a third grader running to the teacher to complain that Billy stole his shovel during playtime.
Mr. Miranda, I have no idea how the SA spends its time. Nor, frankly, do I care. But to the extent to which you personally are a public figure and people on the outside can see what you're saying, do yourself, the Assembly, the student body and the College a favor and show a little more maturity.
