Ash Wednesday warranted coverage

There are more than 10,000 Catholic students at University Park, which is a quarter of the campus population. In addition, there are 65 million Catholics across the nation and many of them also attend Mass on this day, which often draws national and local media attention.

The purpose of a newspaper is to "report the news," although with the realization that not everything can be reported. I would ask the question, is it newsworthy that thousands of University students are going to Mass and receiving black crosses of ash on their foreheads?

This mark signifies an important aspect of the Christian faith, our mortality. The mark reminds us that we were created from dust and that we shall return to dust. Most importantly it signifies that as Christians we do not live for our body or this world but for the next life with God in his kingdom.

The Collegian is always calling for tolerance and acceptance, yet once again an activity that affects a number of students is ignored.

In addition, this event marks the beginning of Lent, which is celebrated by denominations other than Catholics.

Lent signifies the preparation and anticipation for Easter, the most celebrated and important Christian holiday worldwide.

It should be noted that on the front page a schedule of the Jewish High Holy Day services was printed last semester. Hopefully in the future, the staff at the Collegian will try and be more sensitive and inclusive of events such as Ash Wednesday.

Brian R. Barcaro
Penn State Catholic Development director

Hazing does not hurt reputation of Marines

I will admit that I held an opinion similar to the one expressed in their Feb. 23 editorial until I met my boyfriend. He is a corporal in the U.S. Marines. It disturbed me to discover that these activities occurred in an institution that he feels so passionate about.

However, I have gradually come to understand their reasoning behind it. I still do not fully agree with the extreme acts such as those mentioned in the editorial.

I also do not believe that behaviors as drastic as these occur on a regular basis as we may be led to believe. But most, if not all, of the activities that are engaged in are done to promote unity and bonding.

If, God forbid, they should have to go to war, at least the men and women can have the comfort of knowing they can fully depend on each other.

I know it seems hard to believe that inflicting pain on each other can have positive results, but consider what basic training is all about. The main purpose is to resocialize the men and women against ideas they have been raised to believe.

They need to be taught that killing is necessary in war, and they must learn to do it instinctively if placed in this situation. Even a split second's hesitation can cost them their life or the lives of fellow Marines.

The only way to achieve this goal of re-socialization and unity is through drastic means. As Staff Sgt. Erik V. Orient stated in his letter on Feb. 26, "when you try to pacify training methods . . . you send Marines into harm's way unprepared."

I feel that incidents such as those mentioned in the editorial should not be revealed to the public. This will only foster unnecessary stereotypes and negative feelings.

They need our full support if and when they are called to do a job that the rest of us are not equipped to perform. We civilians may never be able to fully understand, but one thing is certain.

We should never doubt the honor and integrity of the members of the Marine Corps. They truly are the few and the proud.

Christine White
sophomore-business logistics