Adam Rossi, in his letter “The Only Effect of Mello’s Harangue,” hypocritically utilizes the same tactics he decries.
Rossi accuses me of resorting to “to name calling and ad hominem attack,” while he goes on to acuse me of using a “tone fit only for school yard ranting” and even questioning the quality of UMB and my intelligence.
Allow me to clarify my argument. I am not currently a student, as Rossi assumed. I transfered UMass Boston in 1998, while Rossi was still a sophomore in high school. During my tenure at UMB I worked long hours at the Mass Media and did nothing but study the campus and surrounding neighborhood. I have an extensive educational and a recent professional background in urban planning and political science.
It is with this history that I chose to pen the letter to the the Mass Media and the CSHCA. I find them ill-informed and closed-minded and decided to speak my mind. Rossi may be a little bit misinformed himself when he claims that “the only effect Mello’s harangue can have is to further alienate the residents of Harbor Point.” The target of my assault were members of the CSHCA, the Savin Hill community group, not Harbor Point residents, who welcome new housing contruction in the area.
I fear that Rossi hasn’t the faintest clue what is really behind this dorm fight or who is even involved. He seems to believe that an attack on my tone and bluntness suffices as an argument to the contrary. I don’t buy it, and welcome his return with an idea of his own, minus the etiquette lessons.
Joshuah MelloSouth Boston, MAPolitical Science June 2002