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Cartoonist letter is inappropriate

To the editor,

Though I encourage the criticism and debate of artist merit for any form of expression, I am greatly disappointed by the editor's decision to print Mr. Noah Bender's letter in the Nov. 8 issue of the Wildcat, a letter which contained unmerited personal attacks against Mr. Tommy Cannon veiled under the auspices of criticism. Mr. Bender's letter crossed the line between caustic analysis and sophomoric name calling.

Mr. Bender finds Mr. Cannon's comic "Iguana Factory" to be unfunny and poorly drawn, and if he feels so inclined, I encourage him to express these views in an appropriate manner. However, for Mr. Bender to make attacks against Mr. Cannon's comedic and artistic ability as well as Cannon himself in spiteful declarations such as "talentless hack" shows neither critical nor constructive thinking, as one would hope from criticism, but rather a puerile need to demean another. Mr. Bender's letter resorted to coarse cynicism and taunting insults, and in his final lines he snidely addressed Mr. Cannon directly, knowing full well Mr. Cannon could in no way respond or defend himself. The intent perceived from Mr. Bender's letter was not a desire to express views that would be in any way helpful or informative to others, save himself in his desire to humiliate.

I am quite displeased at the lack of judgment shown by the editors of the Wildcat in the decision to print the remarks contained in Mr. Bender's letter. I would hope that in the future the editors will be more reserved in discerning which letters are appropriate to print, and those that do little more than serve as a literary soapbox for individuals too cowardly to find an appropriate forum to express their personal views.

David Lee

BFA acting and directing junior