Noble Neanderthals

To the Editors of The Crimson:

I take issue with Paul Karch's statement, quoted in The Crimson on October 15, that being a "Viking" is "an expression of the Neanderthal in all of us." He does the academic community a great disservice by leading it to believe that the vulgar antics of his modern "Atillas" bear any resemblance to the dignified pastimes of Neanderthal Man. Indeed, the Neanderthal Men used eating utensils, played musical instruments, took snuff in moderation, and worked crossword puzzles in their spare time. These noble primates were unfortunately driven into extinction by our own aggressive ancestors, who drank white wine with steak, picked their noses with their thumbs, and made off-color variations on epigrams like "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."

Mr. Karch's insinuations add injury to insult. He should take a moment to bow his head in mourning for the culture that his forbears helped destroy. James Propp '81