Letters To The Editor...

Dear Scott & Associates:

| am writing in regards to your comments which appeared in the October 15th edition of the ‘‘X-Press’’. It is wonderful that you support the survivor, but what are you doing to help prevent another assault from occurring?

I too ama former councillor (Arts Rep. 91 - 91) and Life President Class of 1992. Having worked with you last year, I’m sure you realize that change does not happen over night and without the collective energies of dedicated people. As to your comments concerning the fact that ‘‘the students of this [university] could spend their time and energy better by coming together as a community ...’’, to that lsay WE HAVE. A group of very concerned and energetic people have formed a Women’s Constituency Group which is, by the way, gender friendly. We posted signs throughout the university requesting those interested join with us to aid in such programs as safe walk. I don’t recall seeing you there! In fact, of the fifteen people who attended, only four were male -- Prof. Peter Trnka, Craig Bradley (Former Speaker of the Student Union), Adrian Harrison (Vice President of Operations, Student Union), and Bill Gallant. On behalf of all people, ‘‘Thanks Guys’’ for showing you are willing to work to solve the real problem of violence against women.

It is a well known fact that Libby Whelan is a close friend of mine; however, to allow you to make comments of this sort: ‘*you must have a boring life and a driving need for atten- ~ tion’’ goes against all that I stand for. How dare you say that you ‘‘don’t know (her) personally”’ and then make so incorrect -- or any assumption -- at all about her life. What you are doing is creating a Backlash against her and thereby creating a scapegoat. Now there is an interesting word,

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especially in relation to the petition I and several others created to impeach the President of the Student Union. It very sad to think people consider democratic freedom to be ‘petty, immature and destructive.’ Maybe you should ha checked out the facts behind the petition -- like all other

topics covered in your article -- before passing judgement. For those who are interested the following quote was given by me (pg. 8 Oct. 15 X-Press): ‘‘I would like people to tak a stand one way or another on this issue because the Presi- dent of the Student Union is a paid, elected position and person holding that position must be accountable to the

Student Body.’’

In case there is any confusion about this statement, I will further clarify it. Itis my opinion that by presenting such petition to the Student Council, a referendum on the im- peachment of the Student Union President would have bees held. After unsuccessfully attempting to obtain 10% of ful time students’ signatures, the people involved in the petiti decided that students were no longer concerned or upset about the issue of Ms. Arsenault’s leadership, Fine. I can accept that. What I can’t accept is the idea that the peop she is representing do not have a vested concern in how sh¢ does her job. I might remind others that her position is bot elected and paid for by students. She is therefore account: able to the Student Body. The comments you make, Scott, concerning the connection between violence against womé and the Backlash columns are ill founded. There is a defi- nite connection between the two and had you attended the public forum concerning the incident on Friday, October 20 you would have heard A.J. MacLeod, President Eliot, and Jack Blanchard all agree that the two incidents were indee connected in their opinion. In order to get a better under- standing of this, I suggest you and anyone else for that matter obtain and real a copy of Susan Faudi’s national bestseller The Backlash. It can be bought at the Coles Bookstore in the Charlottetown Mall and only costs $15.00 It would be a wise investment for anyone who wishes to hi! a better perspective on the Women’s Movement. (I'd be gl to lend you mine!!)

Some members of the Student Body have come together 08 this issue -- but with absolutely no help from our supposed leadership. To Ms. Arsenault and Dr. Eliot, I say you cat have our support and respect but you must first earn it. Anything that any of you can do in the future would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. People may say that I’m an ‘‘emotional female’. T° them, I say thanks for the compliment!

Heather J. Morrison