Ray: You and your paper aren’t being targeted here, but please publically ask your fellow media members to stop referring to what happened last year at OSU as “Tattoo Gate.”

Jim Tressel is as human as the rest of us and made an error in judgment and attempted to bury it by lying repeatedly to those he’s responsible to. Tattoos had nothing to do with anything.

It’s over, and the Buckeyes came out the other end better off than they would have had it not happened — and so did Tressel. So, astonishingly and apparently, did Gene Smith, at least temporarily. The whole experience only highlighted the hypocrisy of the NCAA and the local media’s protection of those that would be embarrassed by the revelation of their involvement in the coverup.

— Dan Clevenger, Columbus

Dan: I’d like to think you haven’t read “Tattoo Gate” in our paper since Day 2 or so. And while I’d agree that tats were a bit player in this drama, I’m not sure I’m buying the Watergate-worthy coverup. I might be wrong, but I still don’t see what Tressel had to gain by falling on the grenade by himself.

Ray: Cue up Ringo Starr and You’re Sixteen. That’s how far the basketball Buckeyes will go yet again. This is the worst-shooting team I’ve ever seen — horrible shot selections.

When you have Jared Sullinger in the middle, at least give him a touch every time down the floor. And the most overhyped, overrated players I’ve ever seen are William Buford and Aaron Craft. Good players, but on this team, the chemistry is missing.

Another 25-win season will be down the drain, in my opinion. I haven’t been wrong in 20 years.

— Jack Boyer, Hilliard

Jack: Oh, please. This team starts four sophomores, packed a 19-3 record to Wisconsin and leads the Big Ten. Since when did that make them the ’73 UCLA Bruins. Let’s hold our moaning until there’s something worth bemoaning.

Editor: I was incensed at your “good riddance to the lot of them” comment (Mailbox, Jan. 22) regarding Penn State and the Jerry Sandusky scandal, but I held my tongue.

However, I was further offended by your arrogant responses (Mailbox, last Sunday) to the three writers who called you on your insensitive blanket dismissal of Joe Paterno among “the lot of them” who have been charged with a crime.

Yes, in 20/20 hindsight, Joe could have done more. But he surely did not deserve the shabby treatment he got from the PSU Board of Directors in the manner in which he was dismissed, nor did he deserve your disrespectful comment. You and some others have tried and convicted Joe Paterno in your courtroom of the press.

— Bob Hess, Hilliard

Bob: While we agree to disagree, I would add that you should probably avoid some of the commentaries about Paterno that have legs on the Internet. I mean, if you think I was being disrespectful ...

Editor: The email from Chuck Borden (Mailbox, last Sunday) makes me want to scream! Stop defending Joe Paterno! He was a great coach, mentor, did wonderful things for Penn State and should be remembered that way.

But the issue here is that children were seen being molested and the right thing to do was not done. Chuck, if it was your child in the shower that day, I have a feeling “company policy” would not apply. I have heard more about the way Joe was treated then I have heard about the victims of this gross act of evil.

At what point will you realize that being fired over the phone does not compare to the agony this child or children went through for years?

— Chris Sturgill, New Albany

Chris: Well, if nothing else, you and I are drinking from the same water trough.

Sir: Much has been said about the economic benefits to be reaped from the NHL’s decision to award the 2013 All-Star Game to Columbus.

However, the boon to the airport is being overlooked. After all, assuming the current status of the Blue Jackets, the participating players and coaches will be flying in from other cities, then flying out to return. All together now: Support the Port!

— Thomas L. Davis, Hilliard

Thomas: The downside, of course, is that our central location means all those stars on the Red Wings and Penguins can car-pool to Columbus.

Editor: With Disney on Ice in town at Nationwide Arena this weekend, perhaps Mickey and the gang can take a few days off and be replaced with Nash and the boys! At the very least, we should trade (Steve) Mason for Goofy.

— Dan Stockdale, Columbus

Dan: Jiminy Cricket, but that’s a cold shot. Maybe it’s high time the Jackets gave Pumbaa and Timon a shot on the third line.

Ray: I noticed in the online extra letters to the editor that a number of people were comparing Brady Hoke referring to Ohio State as “Ohio” to Woody Hayes referring to Michigan as “That School Up North.”

Here is the difference between the two: There is no actual university called “That School Up North” whereas there most certainly is an actual university called “Ohio” with a football team that plays in the Mid-American Conference.

Imagine how confused our friends in Athens must have been to see that TSUN finally beat them when they hadn’t even played.

— Pamela Mason, Lawrenceville, N.J.

Pamela: Yes, but doesn’t that likewise mean that the Bobcats can claim a basketball victory over Michigan now that Wolverines coach John Beilein has adopted the “Ohio” phrasing?

Write me at 34 S. 3rd St., Columbus, 43215, or e-mail sports@dispatch.com. Please include your hometown and telephone number.

Ray Stein is sports editor of The Dispatch.

rstein@dispatch.com