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. However, for weeks to come I will remember my student service fees which each year are wasted in upholding this worthless filth of a paper. Shame on you, Daily Editorial Board.

n the past, Scott Laderman’s empty, misguided rhetoric has amazed me. He took his quest for total subversion of American ideals, values and morals to a whole new level with the “column” he wrote as he “reflected on 9/11” (“Seek order, peace – not war,” Sept. 11). When you look past the pretty sentence structure and quotations carefully pulled from a haystack of conflicting reports, the column is distilled to a stinking pile of distortions and lies.

I am sick and tired of hearing that this is mere criticism. One criticizes that which he loves. Columns upon columns like this have gone beyond criticism into the realm of pure contempt. Laderman does not appreciate the fact that his country is home to the greatest diversity, tolerance and freedom on this planet, nor does he accept the fact that we yearn for a world where everyone enjoyed similar conditions.

Unfortunately, there is a significant minority worldwide that does not hold the same ideals. It is morally correct for us to use military force as a last resort to ensure that our values are not wiped from the earth. The motives behind our actions are not evil; they are for the good of humanity. We are not out to murder civilians. We are not out to murder journalists, as Laderman ridiculously suggests. We are out rid the world of regimes that oppress their own people and dream of terrorizing and destroying societies like our own.

It is time to look past the rare instances where our government has acted incorrectly. We must, to use Mr. Laderman’s own words, take a holistic approach, admit that we can always do better, but appreciate the fact that we could do infinitely worse. We could have rolled over to the Soviets, the Nazis and others years ago, but we understood that sometimes short-term violence and death is essential to everyone’s long-term survival. We must again stand tall and hold our precious societal values above all else as we continue to defeat terror. Without them, we have nothing.

s a regular reader and as someone who tries to read a diversified view of world history and current events, I want you to know that (The Daily) is very lucky to have Scott Laderman on board. He is a fantastic writer and a columnist of the highest caliber. His opinions are lucid and rooted in an outstanding sense of historical perspective and knowledge of the issues. His presence adds greatly to the relevance and credibility of the Daily.