Given the opportunity of writing my letter from the editor to respond to almost every level of criticism about my job at TSL, suddenly–after two weeks of discussing the politics of journalism with other members of the editorial board, the print media committee, the ASPC senate, administrators, an LA Times reporter, aTSL reporter, a Washington Post editor, the editor of Le Monde Diplomatique, community members, professors, my classmates and my parents–I find it strangely difficult to write on a personal level about an experience that has, for the most part, been very personal to me. Go to Letter

What is notable about this year is the amazing jump in student voter turnout. In the initial round of voting, about 800 students participated. That is about two-thirds of the student body, an increase of 200 students, or roughly 15%, from the turnout of recent years. Go to Letter

The first thing that struck me when I read the "joke issue" was the article ridiculing Professor Gaines, partially on the basis of his race. I don’t agree with Professor Gaines’ charges against the college, but I fail to see how what is to some extent a racially-based attack has any place in TSL. Not even as a joke. Go to Letter

Based on the Inland Valley Our Times story, one might draw the incorrect conclusion that I was personally offended by the "expose" in The Student Life. As it turns out, however, I was not offended at all. Unfortunately, the Inland Valley Our Times reporter never sought my opinion regarding the "expose." Go to Letter

The Irvin Landrum Student Organizing Committee is well known to most students, mostly for our regular Tuesday marches. Not everyone may be aware, however, exactly what the goals and focus of the group really are. We have, in fact, recently clarified our position, and the Tuesday march was the first event with this new tone. Go to Letter

Editor:

I would like to correct the incorrect spelling of two names, Ursula Ruckers and Saul Williams, on my tabletents. The Ujimma Peer Mentors deserve credit and recognition for their success at bringing Saul Williams to campus.

Sincerely,

Emily Anthony ‘01

Exercising the freedom of the press for frivolous reasons, including unsubstantive anonymous personal attacks, threatens the very protections that exist for the press by invoking those protections for speech that lacks value. You’ve done a dis-service to the journalistic community, to the first ammendment, and to Pomona College. Go to Letter

Dan Check’s "news" article "ASPC President Race Kicks Off" was the most biased news article that I have ever read. Check doesn’t bother to mention the name of any candidate save Sarah Jackel until the 8th paragraph. Go to Letter

The issue here is one of accountability. Both TSL and the student body don’t seem to think that TSL is accountable for what they publish. That is simply wrong. ASPC–the Associated Students of Pomona College–is the body which funds the TSL, and the body which happens to in effect "own" TSL. Go to Letter

I was surprised to read the letters recently submitted to The Student Life by the attorneys who represented the Kurashis and the Cressners. Their letters make numerous allegations which were never proven, and which we did not have the opportunity to rebut because of the settlement. Go to Letter

I’m sorry, but I enjoyed the joke issue. It made me laugh. There, I’ve said it. Someone had to. I respect the staff of The Student Life for printing an issue that they must have known might offend and anger. Go to Letter

And whilst I cannot advocate a lot of the comments TSL has made, I think it takes more strength of character to be able to stand back for a minute and stop taking yourself so seriously. Half of the comments made by the paper were simply because of what I would call "ongoing warfare with the TSL going beyond ridiculous to simply being boring." Go to Letter

I now find it necessary, however, to end my silence because of a serious issue that has been ignored due to the justifiable focus on the relative roles of personal attacks, satire, journalistic integrity, and freedom of the press. This issue is the unfortunate and unacceptable presence of anti-Semitic remarks in The Bully Pulpit. Go to Letter