"Go [blank] yourself, Saunders."

That letter, a textbook example of imperative succinctness, was from the leader of a student organization at Duke University. He was suggesting that I perform an act upon myself that is not only physically impossible but would be illegal if it were.

He and scores of others disagreed with my reasoned assessment that the 38 Duke lacrosse players seeking money from anyone even tangentially associated with the case -- the city, the police, the nurse who examined the accuser -- are trying to profit off a tragedy that saw three of their teammates actually charged.

The Profiteering 38, on the other hand, were never charged with anything and suffered about as much harm from the case as you or I did. Yet, they want to get paid.

A sympathetic lawyer -- sympathetic to them, not me -- wrote that last week's column read like something "a five-year-old child" would submit.

That's a terrible thing to say about a 5-year-old child.

Much of the response came with little identifying information beyond an e-mail address.

One reader, who has way more faith in the "Let's Get Paid" gang than I do, suggested that I "praise the Duke guys and challenge them to give any money they win to help get good lawyers for those wrongly imprisoned."

A noble sentiment, but I'm guessing any settlement would be turned not into a fund to rescue indigent defendants but to rescue shiny Porsches and Range Rovers from auto dealers.

A writer who claims kinship with one of Durham's First Families wrote, "your column on those Duke boys was ridiculous. ... They have every right to sue the pure hell out of Duke and Durham. ... I am not for suing/ambulance chasers like John Edwards, but in this case, GET EVERY DIME YOU CAN!"

A conscientious critic, concerned about my future, wrote: "I just Googled 'Barry Saunders.' A bunch of stuff about strip clubs came up. You better hope your gig with The N&O gets you to retirement."

Strip clubs? Me? Why, I haven't set foot inside one of those establishments in hours.

One person wrote in asking whether I had nothing better to do than trash Duke.

First of all, I think Duke is a fine institution. I've met many fine students and faculty members there. The only thing about Duke I hate is its basketball team when it plays UNC. Or N.C. State. Or any other team.

An alum named Tripp wrote, "It is sad that a respected newspaper would allow a racist like you to write anything. ... You are a sad excuse for a writer."

It's true, Tripp. I am sad. Have been since finding out that Bubblicious got saved and stopped dancing at Brothers III and that Duke beat UNC.

What makes me less sad is sensing that public opinion is turning against the blatant avarice displayed by the players.

How do I know? Only 10 people suggested that I go (blank) myself. Usually dozens do.

Correction

My Feb. 14 column incorrectly described a theory about the cause of Kathleen Peterson's 2001 death, for which her husband Mike Peterson was convicted of murder. The theory, set forth by Peterson neighbor Lawrence Pollard in a letter to the Durham district attorney, is that Kathleen Peterson was attacked outdoors by an owl, not inside her home.