, page és | Dear Editor I would like to convey to the students of UNBC my feelings of how the recent election for re- corder of the student society was conducted. Firstly, Paul Gruner and I had an agreement not to ad- vertise for the second election, and I broke that agreement. I have no good excuse and have dealt with the matter with Paul. The only defense I may have is that caught up in the moment of political frenzy, | was unable to see the re- sults of my actions until I was re- moved from the situation by one of Paul’s supporters, and able to see the election a little more ob- jectively. Unfortunately, by that time it was too late. We all make mistakes, and I made a large one. The consequences of this mistake have been extremely difficult to deal with and have been costly to myself, both morally and person- Letters Policy Over the Edge has an open letter policy and will undertake to print every letter re- ceived from the Uni- versity and local community. Letters must be typewritten, and should include your name, student number and phone number (for verifica- tion purposes only). | Letters should be no more the 200 to 400 words. Editors re- serve the right to edit ruthlessly for length and libelous content. Only one submission per person per issue. Letters will not be ed- ited for spelling or grammar. overtheedge March 20, 1996 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR... ally. The one thing I can salvage is that my actions never, at any time, discredited Mr. Gruner. On a different note, after the election it was brought to my attention that a number of lies were being spread about me. The most hurtful of which was that I was a negative Women’s Centre and PGPIRG supporter. Those directly involved with these organizations know that this could not be further than the truth. Iam forced to won- der why this rumor started, and why it was not disbanded earlier than now. At this point it would be useless to point the finger at any one individual or group, however I felt this article necessary to set the facts straight. I wonder if those individuals responsible for the ru- mor are proud of their actions, and if so, did they ever give any thought as to how said actions would make Paul look as an elected member of the board? Paul and I have been friends for awhile, and I hope we will continue to be so. I know that Paul is more than qualified for the position of recorder, and at that he will serve the Student Society in an exemplary manner. Iam happy for his success, and wish him and the current board nothing but the best in the following year. Tim Dressel Dear Editor Re: Poison Pen, February 21 Mr. Lorenz, As “bitches/goddesses”, we wish to point out a few things. It’s flat- tering that you have placed us on so high a pedestal, but at the same time, you have trampled us into the dirt. Would it suffice to say that men are both gods and assholes? Would that not bother you? And if we were to carry on our train of thought, perhaps we would say that the god is gorgeous. He is strong, passionate, a great kisser, and asensual lover. One look from him and a woman would melt. The asshole is good looking, too. He radiates cold, sexual violence. He is cruel, selfish, and conceited. The god is agentleman. He isa chivalrous prince, holding open doors, and carrying our books. He is innocent and free of lust. He listens openly and communicates freely. The asshole is crude, dis- honest, and sexist. He is a beer- guzzling, playboy-gawking, belching, scratching slob. With a god, we make love...providing both parties are consenting, of course. And he in- sists on wearing a condom. The asshole gets laid. And all his locker room buddies hear about it the next day. But, God forbid, should he be asked to wear a condom! After all, birth control is a woman’s job. The god gives unconditionally; flowers, chocolates, teddy bears. The asshole takes. He abuses, vio- lates, and hurts. Mr. Lorenz, we all know that it would be very unfair to say that men are a mixture of gods and assholes, “yin and yang” (which, incidentally, are two opposites, not exactly one and the same!). We would not want to insult men in this manner. Therefore, we would appreciate it if you would not ste- reotype us by saying that women are beautiful, gentle, subservient princesses and bitchy, manipula- tive sluts at the same time. Most of us don’t, and wouldn’t want to, fit that mold. Sincerely Laura Martin & Denise Watt Dear Editor In regards to the last issues let- ter to the editor concerned with Mr. Lorenz’s Poison Pen article I was disgusted with the “Diva’s” malicious and blatant sexist attack on his character. I was unable to appreciate or accept any part of her argument because it was so jaded by obvious hatred of any opinion contrary to her own. Once I waded through the petty attack on Jan’s character I came to the opinion that her obvious dissatisfaction with the author has caused a gross mis- interpretation of the article. To expect a thorough dissertation on the whole multifaceted female psyche is a pipedream. The ex- pectation of an argument worthy of a doctoral thesis is ludicrous and not likely to be found in our humble school paper. As a student I am always amazed when individuals can read a work and hear only what they want and disregard the rest. To use the ref- erence of Mary as the Goddess and Eve as the bitch as a source for a personal attack on Mr. Lorenz’s religious background disgusts me. To continue your attack by jesting that perhaps Ian is the victim of a child molester only blackens your already faltering argument. Per- haps if you had taken the time to read the Poison Pen a little closer, you would know that the analogy is the result of a class discussion, not from “listening to too much Madonna” or having his “no-spot touched”. I am sorry to note that the only individual on a “trip down male fallacy lane” is yours truly Andrea Lebl, “Diva”. If Miss Lebl isn’t too jaded by her experiences to take advice from a male I would like to recommend that she take that chip off her shoulder and re- read the article in its entirety. The Poison Pen is not written for all to agree with, rather to invoke open minded thought. Something you, Miss Lebl, have failed to do. Tom Archer Dear Editor: Re: Letter to the editor by Andrea Lebl. I take pride in being very hard to offend...however after reading Miss Lebl’s letter in response to my Bitch/Goddess column I was extremely offended. To attack my sexual prowess was both insulting and unnecessary. First off my sexual behavior is none of her, or anyone else’s, business but since she seems to have thrust it into the public eye I would like to inform her that I get my fair share. Fur- ther to imply that I have some problem satisfying a woman sexu- ally is a complete lie bordering on slander. She states that ‘it would be redundant to chastise your in- ability to relate to women’. I may not understand women all the time but, since most of my friends are female and we relate quite well, I fail to see the justification for such a statement. And this whole busi- ness about a dildo being able to satisfy a woman as much as a man is silly. Sex is about love, fore- play, caressing, and companion- ship. Any man or woman that is satisfied solely in self manipula- tion needs help. In a relationship a a woman or man should be able to please their partner and at the same timke expect the same plea- sure in return. I also take offence to her allu- sion that I think women should act wholly like the Goddess and that is what I consider ‘sexy’. She says that “because I am seak and lack- ing in virility [I am] unable to un- derstand that female which is strong, forthright, and unafraid.’ I am not weak, I don’t lack virility, and the type of female you de- scribe is exactly the type I want. An aggressive and fearless matri- arch to love and share my life with. In fact, as sad as this is, | am much more attracted to the bitch than the Goddess. I need somebody strong and wild, not a whimsical Barbie doll. I highly doubt as I have ever, as she says, ‘aroused the shame many men feel for their gender’ in one. of my columns. Me should never be made to feel shame for their gender...nor should women. And to imply that I am some sort of ig-. norant woman hater is false. I adore women in all there shapes, sizes and personality types. I love. the way they talk, think, and scruch up their nose when I say something that disgusts them. After all, lam just an lesbian trapped in a man’s body. It would seem, to me, that your past encounters with men have left you jaded and bitter. Perhaps you might try leaning a little more to- ward the Goddess and a little less towards the bitch. You, Miss Lebl, in your feminist zeal missed the main point of my article. The point was that women are not one di- mensional. The point was a man could never be satisfied with a bitch or with a Goddess...what men crave is woman, in all her forms. Yours Angrily, Ian Lorenz.