Letters to the Editor

Loyalty defended

Dear Alestle editor,

This letter is in regard to sound-off caller in the April 25 edition of the Alestle.

Nothing is more aggravating than someone who bashes another without cause and does so anonymously. Jason was merely fulfilling his responsibility as greek council president by writing a letter to defend the integrity of the SIUE greek community. Jason could have taken advantage of his position to write a "pro Sig Ep" article, but he chose not to. Instead he acted without bias as a greek council president should and wrote a letter on the behalf of all the greeks.

Who exactly is our mystery caller to judge the loyalty of Jason to his organization? What exactly did he or she mean by "trying to tease the entire school?" As a senior member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, I have watched Jason mature into one of many of our outstanding brothers. Jason is very active in our organization, as well as the SIUE community. In addition to being the newly elected student trustee, Jason currently serves as senior marshall on our standards board, is an active member of various intramural teams and is an active participant in various community service projects. Most importantly, however, Jason is very loyal to his brothers and his fraternity.

I know I can count on Jason anytime as a brother. The SIUE greek community can be assured that it can count on him as its greek council president.

George Fender

Senior, speech communication

Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity

Constructive criticism

Dear Alestle editor,

Noor Ali-Hasan wrote a letter concerning the Alestle's review of The Urge concert. Your response, "If a reader does not agree with, or like a particular review or reviewer, that reader has the right to, simply, not read the review."

What a terribly condescending attitude for an editor to take. Imagine an editor telling us not to read the paper.

For 15 weeks you've been touting "freedom of speech" and begging for letters to the editor. Someone writes in, and you give them the back of your hand.

How about, "We appreciate your comments and concerns. However, we stand by our reviewer's focus and account of the concert." Perhaps it's wordy, but it's better

than, "Let them eat cake."

Ali-Hasan makes a valid point. The story isn't very good. The headlining act was The Urge. Reviewer Andrew Lehman should have written about, The Urge. Instead, he devotes just nine lines of the 30-line story to the band. His focus was misplaced. However, it was his decision as to how the story should have been covered. The headline, then, should have been written to match his story.

Finally, since when - and please explain why - are Social Security numbers required from those who write letters to the editor?

Mike Worthington

Senior, mass communications

(Ed. Note: Social Security numbers have been required for all letters to the editor for at least two years. Social Security numbers are required as a security measure to make sure the writer is who he or she claims to be.

However, we appreciate your comments and concerns. And, we stand by our reviewer's focus, account of the concert and the editor's note published with Ali-Hasan's letter.)