While I don't agree with the outcome in the Ashby case, I can unequivocally say that the Daily's assumption in the Mar. 9 editorial "Flying Blind," that the United States is trying to duck responsibility, is erroneous and irresponsible.
Simply because the government decided to handle the case in its own courts and to apply its own negligence standards does not mean the United States is being irresponsible. Rather, the opposite is true; the government is trying to avoid Ashby having to face a biased tribunal in a foreign country.
Simply consider the Singapore caning case. When an Singapore court decided to punish an American teenager by caning for a crime he allegedly committed, we were quick to decry Singapore's legal system as being cruel and archaic. In fact, most observers proclaimed that the young defendant should have been brought back to the United States to face trial under our laws. Therefore, it seems that these observers are advocating a double standard.
Furthermore, the Daily's assumption of Ashby's negligence is quite hasty, especially when the editorial mentions that many determinative facts are still being disputed. In adjudicative legal systems, there are courts and juries to assign blame. While the faulty equipment argument, in the Daily's eyes, seems to be weak, it holds water in court and would conceivably absolve Ashby of any negligence.
Was it considered that the topographical map of the area did not make mention of the ski area or any ski lifts higher than 20 feet off the ground? The facts clearly demonstrate that this case is not as open and shut as the Daily makes it to be. Just because our legal system came up with an unpopular verdict is not determinative of the United States' irresponsibility.
This accident is a tragedy for both Italy and the United States. However, simply to say that Ashby is guilty and the United States is trying to avoid responsibility demonstrates that such important legal decisions should not be made by uninformed journalists and commentators. If it were up to me, I would allow an attorney to argue this case, not biased editorialists. The United States does have a responsibility to other countries, but we also have a responsibility to our own citizens. This responsibility is quite underappreciated and ignored.
Seth Gladstein
University alumnus
To the Daily:
I would like to take this opportunity to share with the University community one Irish American's view of the very holy day known as St. Patrick's. As any Irish American knows, St. Patrick's day is much more than a chance to drink excessively. Rather, it is a day for family, church, and celebrating our Irish heritage that dates back well over one thousand years.
Yet today St. Patrick's has been reduced to yet another "Hallmark holiday" when people drink green milkshakes and beer. Shamrocks and the ever-patronizing leprechaun cover store windows and, for a few days, grocery and liquor stores put up displays of Guinness and Harp, hoping that their patrons are feeling festive this March.
These modern-day traditions are as Irish as a box of Lucky Charms, and are extremely offensive and at times even racist to both Irish Americans and the Irish themselves. I'm not asking anyone to stay home and meditate about the meaning of life Wednesday night, but please try and be respectful; please give us the dignity we deserve.
John Kraft
LSA senior
To the Daily:
Kudos to the Daily for finally writing an article that positively portrays the Greek system. Greek Week is not only about having fun. It's about helping many philanthropic organizations. With all the muckraking going on out there, it is nice to finally get some good press. Thank you.
Lindsay Shipps
School of Music
03-16-99
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