As a former Penn State student, I am disgusted by the criticism of columnist Thomas Mei ("PSU pride should continue through thick and thin," Nov. 16). The readers display the type of blissful ignorance that was a big influence in my transferring from this university. Readers claim Penn State football fans haven't jumped on the bandwagon. Does anyone remember all the people last year shouting "JoePa must go?" Have they magically disappeared? No, they've just jumped on the bandwagon.

Mei's column about celebrity relationships was obviously satirical ("Society depends on celebrities to champion causes," Nov. 2). If you thought he was being serious, then your village is calling; their idiot missing.

In his Thon column, "Philanthropic acts should not be limited to Thon," Nov. 9, Mei is absolutely correct in asserting that Thon supporters have questionable motives. Why was Thon started in 1973? It seems that the real purpose of Thon is to help fraternity members atone for their yearlong sins by pretending that they care about kids with cancer.

"Oh frat boy, you've served hundreds of underage student alcohol and have a grade point average often confused with the current price of gasoline. But never mind; because you support Thon, all your sins are forgiven."

These readers pretend Penn State is perfect, but this clearly isn't true. Students drown in debt, police officers assault and stalk students after football games and minority students feel left out at this university. Mei's column is a reminder of this reality, and readers should be grateful that he exposes them to points of view they would normally not consider.