Letters to the Editor

SMSA works for students

A good friend of mine informed me the other day that student government on this campus is a joke. When I asked him why, he informed me student government does nothing for him, and he didn't have any representation at all. I've heard this opinion stated time and time again, so I think it's time to finally address it in a public forum, once and for all.

AGreeks are here to stay

fter reading Andy Norman's Monday opinion piece "Greeks have got to go", expressing his disapproval of the greek system, I realized it regurgitated nothing but old stereotypes, and it appears that he has bought into them, all the while looking past the amazing contributions that greeks make to universities as well as their communities.

Use your vote to oppose tuition hikes

Dear students,

Thank you for contacting me regarding the cuts to higher education proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and its impact on tuition. Here is what you can do to convince the governor and the Republican-controlled House that cuts to higher education and huge increases in tuition are not an acceptable solution to the budget crisis.

YBusse should be applauded

My daughter is a sophomore at the University and she shared Nick Busse's Tuesday opinion piece, "Antiwar movement lacks unity, coherence" with me. I applaud Busse for his comments about the antiwar protests on campus.

Joining a protest is like joining the Republican or Democratic party. Group dynamics and group-think snuff out individual expression, and then the crazed fringe elements ruin the whole party.

HGeneral College column panders to old stereotypes

IGeneral College satisfies public need

feel I must join the voices of many of my colleagues here in General College in responding to Karl Noyes' Feb. 11 editorial, "An argument for closing the General College." As many others will undoubtedly point out, General College is a well-respected and cutting-edge research institution that provides a solid and thorough education for its students. I also admit to frustration with this inattention to verifiable facts in Noyes's editorial.

I read Scott Laderman's column ("Seek order, peace - not war," Sept. 11) and was saddened deeply. I am a reservist in the United States Army. If called to active duty, I am ready to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. And yes, one of the freedoms I will defend is our freedom of speech. I think a thank you is in order, Laderman, to all of the soldiers, airmen, seamen and marines for helping you to have a job. Freedom wasn't always free, my friend. Many men and women died defending the freedoms some of us hold so dear.

When I got to school on Sept. 11, I expected to see acts of remembrance for those who were lost so horribly a year ago. I also hoped that for one day we could think about all our gifts of freedom without politics getting in the way. Thank you, Minnesota Daily, for standing up in front of all those who are mourning the lost and giving them a firm slap across the face. You have proven to be a paper of little journalistic integrity. This Sept. 11, I intend on remembering those who were murdered in the name of psychotic terrorism.

Frank Gehry certainly got more than he bargained for with his art museum design. Ten years on, people still debate the Weisman. Whether you love it or hate it, it should be given a fair shot.

In his otherwise excellent column on survival tips for the uninitiated ("New to the U?" Sept. 4), Chris Schafer suggests that students consider selling back their astronomy books at the end of the semester, even if they receive only paltry sums. I must, however, caution students of the dangers of selling these back and urge them to hold on to the books for a lifetime of pleasure and enlightenment.

First, by retaining the books, students can avoid the recurring nightmares that they missed the final exam and already sold back their well-annotated text.