B4 Thursday, March 22, 2012
I say, give the Greek life a try, but if someone ever lifts a finger toward you, report her to your panhellenic organization and the dean of students immediately. Sororities are supposed to lift you up, not beat you down. JENNIFER IN ST. LOUIS
DEAR ABBY
DEAR JENNIFER: Readers unanimously agreed that paddling should not be tolerated, and stressed that being a legacy does not guarantee acceptance or that a pledge will have a good experience in a particular sorority. My readers comment:
UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE
DEAR ABBY: I would like to tell “Possibly Paddled Pledge” (Jan. 13) that joining a sorority was one of the best parts of college for me. It taught me about interpersonal communication, the importance of philanthropy and academics, and networking. I learned skills I would not have gained had I not joined. My sorority had paddles. We decorated them with our symbols and Greek letters, and they were displayed on the wall. We never used them to hit anyone. Our national organization, as well as our university would have been furious. Hazing is illegal and should not be tolerated.
DEAR ABBY: My daughter is currently in a sorority, but her experience has been very mixed. She was not automatically welcomed by my sorority. She found the process to be difficult and judgmental. However, she did find a wonderful group of women in a different sorority. As a sophomore this year, she is on the other side of recruitment (rush) and again felt hurt by how rude some of the new girls were. “PPP’s” letter spotlighted the snobbish, elitist attitude that turns many eligible young
Jumble
COMICS
women away from sororities. To say a group is the best-of-the-best and exclusive is offensive. I hope more girls will look beyond the glitz and glamour and give a second hard look to all of the groups. JANE IN AKRON, OHIO
DEAR ABBY: My first month in college was wonderful. Then came sorority rush. What followed was hell. I got a paddle with the Greek letters, though it was only a “memento.” Far worse was the social fragmentation of the women there. We immediately began to segregate into our little pledge classes, wore pins that identified our group and were typecast from the very beginning. After wrestling with this psychological social dilemma — even becoming an active member, which would preclude me from ever joining another sorority — I finally deactivated, switched to a much larger school with less emphasis on the Greek system and happily sailed through the rest of my college life with honors. A HAPPY INDEPENDENT DEAR ABBY: As a member of a sorority, I have
THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME
by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek
NPUED
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Unscramble these four Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.
KOIROE TEFDIT Ans: Yesterday’s
Family Circus
As a prosecutor for nearly 30 years, I do not condone in any way the use of a paddle, either in fraternities or sororities.
A sorority is more than academics and whispers about hazing. “PPP” should visit each chapter on the campus, attend rush and make her own decision. Only she can decide which sorority is right for her. If she pledges as a legacy, she’ll be in a unique position to actively stop this practice if, in fact, it is occurring. If she’s kicked out for not letting them paddle her, then she can shout it from the rooftops and maybe something will finally happen. “PPP,” stand up for what you believe. Choose a sorority you like, with women you would be proud to call your sisters, and you will have the time of your life and lifelong friends who will see you through your old age. I know. I didn’t pledge my mom’s chapter, but a different one.
HINTS
BEEN THERE IN MONTANA
Beetle Bailey
FROM HELOISE
KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
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ACYED
never heard of a sorority that used paddles to hit members. What bothers me is the apparent acceptance by “PPP’s” family members of this practice.
Dear Heloise: I am trying to get rid of FLEAS in my home. I do not want to use harsh chemicals. Please help me. Denise, via email
Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.
(Answers tomorrow) CHAMP SWITCH SQUASH Jumbles: DUNCE Answer: He was running behind with his mustard deliveries and needed to do this — CATCH UP
Today’s Crossword Puzzle
Happy to help, because no one wants fleas in the home! Here are some chemical-free things you can try: * First, vacuum your home daily, and place a few mothballs in the bag to kill the fleas. You are supposed to throw away the bag after each use, but as long as you are aware, you may not have to. * Wash the doghouse, if you have one, with salt water, and place fresh pine needles or cedar shavings under a pet’s bed. Check the bedding daily for flea activity. * Look for a dog shampoo containing a pyrethrin (derived from chrysanthemum flowers) base. It kills fleas and is safe for dogs. * To catch fleas, wrap adhesive tape around your fingers with the sticky side out, and they will stick to the tape. Or place a shallow pan on the floor filled with soapy water. Use a 25-watt lamp above the pan. The light will attract the fleas, but when they jump, they will land in the water. Pest-control experts recommend that you check your pet daily for fleas. Then you need to treat your inside and outside living areas using both chemicals and natural treatments. If you have a large infestation, consult a pest-control professional. Heloise ##### Dear Heloise: When I receive the paper advertisement for perfume with the fragrance strips on the side, I put a slit in the bottom of my tissue box and insert several of them. In a day or so, you have fragrant tissues. I always read your column in The (Harrisburg, Pa.)PatriotNews. I learn so much and share with others. — Barbara S., Bowmansdale, Pa. I visited your lovely city for a home show a while back and met a lot of nice people. Thanks for reading the column. Heloise ##### Dear Heloise: Our city provides a curbside recycling program. However, the bin is unsightly, and we keep it in the garage. Guests do not realize that we recycle, and I constantly have to ask them not to throw certain items in the garbage. I bought a small garbage bin, labeled it for recycling only and have it next to the kitchen garbage can. No more questions, and the recycling is separated to be carried out once daily. Marilyn G., via email
The Wizard of Id
Dear Heloise: I check all pockets before putting items into the washer. I often find tissues, paper towels, etc., in my husband’s pockets. I have made a habit of always checking pockets before putting them into the washing machine. I also make sure to clean the filter screen after each load. Willa O., Bella Vista, Ark.
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