University of Virginia Library

Letters To The Editor

Tragedy: 'I Question The Validity Of Moralizing'

the men were not drunk,
although the police officials
labeled this factor as
undetermined." In
addition, the statement was
made, in reference to the
course of events of the
accident, "we don't know
exactly what happened. No
one was paying much
attention."

However, in Monday's
paper, the editorial read:
"Yet we cannot overlook
the additional senseless
death of an uninvolved
individual who just
happened to be in the path
of an aloof and lightheaded
Wahoo taken to the open
road."

In essence, I question the
validity of making an example
of this tragic accident for the
cause of moralizing about
drinking and driving. The facts
of the incident as reported in
your own newspaper indicate
that no such correlation may
be logically made.

I can find no cause for
justification of such additional
comments as: "the consequent
loss devolves upon the
reputation of the University,"
and "reconciling oneself to
death is hard, but to do so in
the interest of shallow
amusement is beyond reason."

In my own mind, a
"reasonable" presentation of
the facts should not include
such editorializing – especially
in the case of so tragic an
accident as here mentioned.

Pisces Pen Pal

I am presently serving a
prison sentence at a
correctional facility here at
Blue Ridge Sanatorium. I will
be attending college in the fall
in the Charlottesville area and
would like to correspond with
someone in this area attending
college. My incarceration is for
a conviction of possession of
marijuana from W. Va.

I am 24, musically inclined
and have all the characteristics
of a Pisces, which I am. People
wishing to discuss
philosophical and theological
aspects please write.

Bits Of Wisdom

I wish to reply to the
sentiments of Mr. P. Cauchon.

Young man, I am affronted!
As perhaps U.Va.'s most
elderly co-ed, (I admit to being
over thirty) I find it downright
annoying to find people
thumbing rides to classes. To
share a few bits of wisdom
garnered in my extensive years;
(1) it is a blessing to have
functional legs, and (2) any
opportunity to exercise them
should be seized upon "lest we
forget."

Walking is also an excellent
way to meet one's friends and
to observe many facets of the
passing scene. Many time I
have arrived books and all, at
Cabell Hall, dripping and
panting from a good trot; and
have managed to survive.

The next time I pass you in
my empty VW (en route to or
from the frontiers of Western
Albemarle Co.) I may "thumb"
back.

Moral Obligation?

Re Mr. Paul Cauchon's
recent letter about being
persecuted by not obtaining
rides in private cars, it seems
that while maintaining his right
to an empty seat in any passing
car, he concurrently maintains
that anyone in possession of
such a car has a moral
obligation to pick him up.

In defense of his position,
he invokes the Honor Code,
not heretofore called "Uncle
Tom's Honor Code" to my
knowledge, and further hexes
anyone who should be so brash
as to refuse him transportation
in their conveyance.

I suggest to Mr. Cauchon:

1) a close reading of the
Honor Code,

2) use of this abundant
energy to walk or ride a
bicycle,

3) be grateful that when
automobiles for private use are
forbidden he will be in the
vanguard.