I just wanted to write a letter commending the Daily on its excellent reporting on the recent tragic events in the U.S. While that first day was one of fear for personal safety and the safety of loved ones followed by immense sadness, subsequent days have led to more thoughtful contemplation of the events.

Your paper has taken an intelligent approach to the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001. Emphasis should first be on rescue and repair as well as personal grieving, not on angry, mindless vengeance. While most major media outlets have misplaced national grief into an irresponsible attempt at a quick and equally violent “solution,” your staff has instead written of the personal nature of grief (Rachel Faber Machacha), the likely political reasons for such an attack (Steve Skutnik), and the influence of a patently biased American media (Andrea Hauser).

Irresponsible coverage may have led to events just as scary as those of last Tuesday. While direct causation can never be proven, assaults, vandalism and even a recent murder have come in the wake of 24-hour-a-day coverage that mostly features images of “fanatical Muslims with guns.” Your paper has wisely chosen to emphasize personal mourning followed by restraint. I believe that this path will be the only one that will lead to a cessation of any future tragedy in this country or any other.

Joel Gibson

Graduate Student

Entomology