Letters to the Editor Daily should refrain from using Lord's name in vain To the Daily: I am writing in reference to the Jan. 28 issue of the Daily. First of all, I want to thank all of the seniors for their dedicated service in managing the Daily, one of my favorite newspapers in the world. Good luck seniors and thanks. But one of the articles, titled "We'd be lying if we said that the women's basketball team won," by Dena Kern, caught my attention. The article featured a picture of Michigan football player Tommy Hendricks tackling a Penn State opponent. Under the picture, in bold print, appeared the name "Jesus," and directly below, also in bold print, appeared the word "Ass." Granted, to some people that may seem slightly amusing, but to me, a Christian, it was very offensive. I really don't feel there is a need to use my Lord's name in vain, especially in the context it was used. I believe the author used Jesus' name here to express her frustration about the fact that PSU guard Helen Darling prevented Michigan guard Stacey Thomas from driving to the hoop, during the recent Michigan vs. PSU women's basketball game. In fact, maybe a better word such as "jerk" or even "idiot" could have been used. In my opinion, that would have been funnier, or should I say funny. So please from now on lay off the name of my Lord and Savior, and keep up the good work! Frank Lodeserto LSA senior Article objectified women To the Daily: I have to say that I am very disappointed in the Daily for publishing Chris Grandstaff's, Jacob Wheeler's and Albert White's columns on Jan. 28th ("American men deprived of sex, Steffi says," and "Joe Smith writes tennis.") I understand that this issue was meant to be humorous as the seniors said goodbye, but I found their articles to be quite offensive. Grandstaff and Wheeler focused their article on sexually-deprived American men being obsessed with breasts. At one point they wrote, "They don't just look at my ass. They love my tits too. Butt (sic) they never notice my best feature, my ass." Their article is terribly degrading to women and contributes to our objectification. Although the Daily would never publish an article that insults a particular racial or ethnic group, they seem to think it's okay to degrade women in this way. They also include the following quote, "As a professional I have to admit that I too love grabbing breasts." This statement reduces women to objects and normalizes violence against them. Furthermore, Albert White's column on tennis includes photos focusing on Anna Kournikova's buttocks, further degrading and sexually objectifying women. The inclusion of such insulting material is unacceptable. This type of sexist material objectifies women and contributes to violence against them. And for those of you who would argue that I am overreacting and that the objectification of women does not contribute to violence against them, think about this. When people have participated in genocide in the past, one of the ways they have been able to do so is by reducing their victims to inhuman objects. There is an epidemic of violence against women occurring, and the Daily with its insensitivity is contributing to it. I really don't want to open my school newspaper to increase my knowledge and instead see myself objectified and violated on its pages. Kiran Arora School of Public Health student Last issue does not show 'journalistic integrity' To the Daily: In the three years I have been here, it always kind of shocks me that a newspaper would suspend its journalistic integrity so its editors can print their farewell issue. While I understand it's probably "all in fun," give me a break. I certainly hope no visitors to the University pick this issue up. I wouldn't want them to think this is what the Daily is like, or for that matter, take it as a representation of the University as a whole. Stephanie Masta LSA junior Fire safety should not be taken lightly To the Daily: I agree completely with the editorial position that the State of Michigan should mandate sprinkler systems for all residence halls ("Where there's smoke," Jan. 27). The New Jersey tragedy, though, should serve as a reminder about fire safety to students who live both on and off campus. Every year, fire kills approximately 4,000 people in the the United States which is more than all other natural disasters combined. Eighty percent of those fire deaths occur in residences. Also, approximately one hundred firefighters are killed in the line of duty each year. Students must always keep fire safety a priority. Many of the off-campus houses were originally built as single-family homes but have been divided for student renters. This increases the difficulty for firefighters commencing rescue and suppression efforts, thus reinforcing the necessity for preventing fire from occurring. The City of Ann Arbor is fortunate to have an excellent fire department, but tragedy can occur in the best prepared city. The simplest and most effective form of fire safety is to ensure that you have working smoke detectors. Also, you should immediately exit the building and contact the fire department as soon as a smoke detector or fire alarm system activates. A few simple steps can mean the difference between life and death. Mike Kennedy LSA junior Movie review missed the mark To the Daily: We strongly disagree with the Jan. 24 review, "Teen flick 'Down' in Stiles, script." The Daily arts writer brutally bashes and destroys the performance of Freddie Prinze, Jr. and Julia Stiles in the new romantic comedy "Down to You." Not only do we disagree with the mere one star it was given, but we feel that the personal stabs made on the actors were uncalled for. We think it should first be stated that the film attempts to target the teen audience with a cute romantic comedy, not a deep, intense, Academy-Award winning drama. Likewise, neither Prinze nor Stiles are running for a Golden Globe, so if that's what you're looking for you shouldn't have gone to see the movie. There was not one second where Prinze failed to charm the audience with his gorgeous looks and killer smile and for that he deserves no less than four stars. The article also criticized that the character of Imogen. Would you want to see more of Freddie or Julia? Yeah, that's what I thought! We think "Down to You" successfully created a funny, real-world type, romantic comedy filled with optimism, which is what girls can relate to and is what they come to the movie to see. It's cute. It's funny. And it's a "feel-good" movie. The movie may not get an Oscar nomination, but it is evident that this was hardly the movie's intention. It does, however, take an original and creative approach to the generic romantic comedy we are accustomed to. The so-called "faux inspired" sequences, when the characters were witness to each other's memory, was a refreshing change. And the movie cannot be responsible for any jealousy; a whiny, pessimistic, bitter, ex-girlfriend viewer may have for the "perfect relationship between Al and Imogen." And as for the "afterschool special" ending what else would you expect from a romantic comedy? If Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan hadn't hooked up in the end of "You've Got Mail," what would have been the point? The people who go to see this movie don't want to leave in tears or with deep thoughts on their minds. If they did, "Magnolia" and "Girl Interrupted" are playing 20 feet away. "Down to You" appropriately wraps up the loose ends in a way that any good movie of its kind would, except all the others wouldn't have Freddie dancing and singing Marvin Gaye. What more could we ask for $5.25? Jennifer George Tina Marzo LSA first-year students Originally on page 4A in the 1-31-2000 issue of the Daily.