Letters to the Editor
Campus Times
March 20, 1998
Dear Editor,
I agree with most of Mr. Gonsalves' analysis of the Latrell Spreewell
incident ["Spreewell ruling sends wrong
message," March 13].
I do not agree, however, that a shock was sent through corporate America
by the Spreewell incident (i.e., the mitigation of his punishment somehow
sends the message that it is OK to physically assault your boss). This is
a bit of an exaggeration of the situation. The amendment of Spreewell's
punishment does not mean that it is ever OK to threaten your boss' life
or to physically assault your boss. Latrell Spreewell's punishment was mitigated
because it was felt, by the governing authority, that it was disproportionate
to the act and excessive. Spreewell, however, was still punished, and for
whatever it is worth, exhibited remorse for his mistake.
Oddly enough, however, I do not agree with the initial punishment or
the amended punishment. Professional athletes who commit violent or illegal
acts outside of the arena of their profession should not be shielded as
if they occurred in the arena of their profession. They should be held liable
in criminal and civil courts of law.
I do not know whether this approach would have imposed a harsher punishment
than Spreewell's initial punishment or not. I suspect, however, that he
might not have lost the balance of his contract or have been suspended for
a whole year. In the alternative, he might have had to do some jail time,
and pay coach Carlesimo in civil court. This is a better approach because
it treats professional athletes like everyone else. Why should they have
a league judicial system for offenses committed off the court?
Therein lies the real problem.
Ivan Tircuit
Law Student
via Internet
Dear Editor,
I am often asked by students what areas to concentrate on to get the
best job. Although my standard answer is "attitude and the ability
to communicate," I also remind them that their relationships will be
far more important to them than their grades. Laura Czingula's column in
the March 13 issue ["Family, wine
make good recipe"] confirmed that she realizes this, as well. Her
trip to the wine country with her family enabled her to enjoy her family
and to further cement her wonderful relationship with her family. She reminded
us that "your family is forever...." This advice is some of the
best I have ever heard. Thank you, Laura, for reminding us.
Dr. Janis Dietz
Assistant Professor of Business Administration
via Internet
