Letters to the Editor
An Insult to Veterans
I read the Fr. Carmichael, S.J. article, "Spiritual Life Behind Bars," and I then called him. He said he had not read it. I have served the people of Butler County for over 40 year as a forensic pathologist. I have helped put many people into the Lebanon Correctional Institute. They are not "really good people." I have seen some of the murder that has been committed by these "really good people," even on their own inmates. Then to imply that many of them are there because of Vietnam is not true. Read Stolen Valor, Father. This is an insult to all of us that served during Vietnam, and all veterans. It fits with the liberal idea that a veteran is taught to kill and ends up prison. Also the idea that veterans from Iraq should be considered as suspected terrorist by our present administration. As a veteran and the father of an Iraq veteran, who was awarded the Purple Heart, a son-in-law who has served multiple tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, I would hope to see a written apology from Fr. Carmichael in the next Xavier Magazine. One last thought: When I was at XU, a few of the Jesuits were vets, including O'Connor, Cavanuagh, and was not Ignatius a veteran? God bless.
Joseph H. Brandabur M.D., '59
Wreaked vs Reeked
Spring 2009, page 21: "I wreaked of alcohol, and since I don’t look like I’m 21, I got stopped by the police." Ugh! A university-level publication allowed this "spell-check" misuse of English?
Wreak—to inflict, or exact, as vengeance.
Reek—to emit vapor, be full of fumes, usually implying a disagreeable odor. To emit, exude
No writing credit was attributed to the 'Blue Man Land' article, just a photo credit for Greg Rust. Who mal-used these words?
Rosemary G. Wolfe, OLC, Cincinnati, Ohio
Almamatters Correction
In the Fall 2008 edition of Xavier, Almamatters (class notes), page 40, for the 80's there is an entry for me that states I retired from the Army in 2007 as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving as Commander of Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. The error is the grade of retirement. I retired as a Colonel. The change is that I now serve as the Director of Human Resources for Cincinnati Metro.
Steve Ackman
Missing Theology's Opinion on Choices
I recently finished reading the Fall issue of Xavier magazine. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed in "The Choices We Make" article. You failed to include someone from the Department of Theology to address the candidates' positions on abortion. I can only surmise why this viewpoint was not included. It is because of this attitude that I have provided little financial support to Xavier University and will continue to do so in the future.
Neil Doppes
Shantytown Experience Insensitive
I want to express my concern about the "Shantytown" experience. I have to say seeing those things disturbed me greatly. I am a veteran from the Iraq war and I go to school here at Xavier. I have been homeless twice since my return from the war. (Cincinnati is not my home town.) From what I've read the money that was raised was to benefit homeless people. What about the homeless veterans? I think the money should go to people that served our country first. Secondly, I think someone forgot that veterans also attend this school and maybe someone else other than me would find this reminder disturbing. It may have been for a good cause, but I found it to be insensitive.
Lorraine Corso
Questioning First Player in Majors
I enjoyed your article in the Fall 2008 issue on Matt Watson. You say he is the only XU player to make the majors. Rich Donnelly, Class of 1968, was the first full scholarship baseball player at XU and spent 25 years in the majors. Although it was as a coach not a player, most recently with the LA Dodgers. He has a World Series ring with the Marlins.
Thomas E. Murray
More Questioning on First Player in Majors
As I was reading the Fall edition of Xavier magazine I saw a statement that I have seen before and it got my Irish temper up. My father, James J. Boyle, graduated from XU in 1926. According to the 1926 annual, the Musketeer, it read: football II-III-IV, baseball III-IV (Capt., III), class president III-IV. He was drafted by the New York Giants right after graduation—no minors, directly into the majors. He was the first to go to the majors. He had a scholarship named after him in 1961 named the James J. Boyle Memorial Award. It was for scholar athletes. I don’t know how many years it was for, but I think several. He was the first Xavier graduate to sign a contract for professional baseball. I’m sending you a copy of the contract and his picture along with a Sports Illustrated article. He told me he quit baseball because he graduated from college and wanted to earn some money. He had a very short career but I found it interesting. You might too.
Ann Boyle Burns
Correction on Brockman Hall
Correction on page 32 of the current edition of Xavier Magazine: Brockman Hall was built in the ‘60s. My class was the first to live there beginning in September 1955.
B.T. Kearns, ‘59
Pro-life Stance Missing
I’m writing in regards to your article (Fall, 2008), "The Choices We Make." You had many different sub-headings but none on our most important heading of life issues! As a Catholic magazine, that needs to be addressed. Many pro-life people vote based on a candidate’s stand on this topic, and that isn’t being short-sighted. Without life, there are no other issues! Our country is seeing what happens when we choose the world’s ways over God’s ways. A great article would be to trace what damage abortion—lost 52 million Americans from 1973-2008—has done to our country in economics, education, jobs, global issues, media, etc.. Let’s pray for St. Paul’s passion and correctness, as we write, preach, and evangelize to our audiences—whomever they may be. Good bless your endeavors!
Jane Gorton, '92
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