“I was completely baffled by your editorial against the new counsellor for the School of Business,” remarks one Journal reader. “I’m supposed to be outraged that business students have decided
to spend their money on a service that will help them? Even though it won’t hurt me in the slightest?”

“Props to the Journal for the front page photo highlighting just how symmetrical the teams running forthe AMS executive this year are. This pathetic lack of choice extends beyond appearances. Just
compare the team’s platforms.”

“The world is plagued by bloodshed and oppression. This is an obvious statement. The causes of these atrocities are typically numerous but often reduced to one basis—religion. This is a great over-simplification and really doesn’t give credit to the value of religion …”

“Firstly, I’d like to commend Matthew Puddister for his boldness in writing ‘A virtue out of ignorance.’ In a society largely predicated on political correctness, it’s encouraging to see someone express a likely offensive opinion with evidential substantiation. Having said that, I do question the means by which he reaches his conclusion. A skim through his case studies certainly supports the idea of religion breeding violence and inhibiting human progress, and at a logical level his arguments are sound. However, they appear to be based on only a selective interpretation of the facts …”

“The one interesting part of the otherwise tiresome Dixie Chicks affair is actually perfectly exemplified by Andrew Kelly’s review of Shut up and Sing. Kelly and the majority of Queen’s students are likely to imagine that they are superior to the redneck hicks in the American heartland.”

Yes, it is that time of year again. AMS elections! This is the time of year that student politics reaches
its zenith. A more vulgar form of public politics is dominant, as several AMS hopefuls bid for your support. One way in which they deserve or attain your confidence is by stressing student issues which
the general Queen’s populace holds dear …

Jason Laker, associate vice-principal and dean of student affairs, points out that reform “requires a national commitment as well as a provincial one.” This is absolutely true, but how can we get politicians to focus on financial aid and make those commitments? Laker explained that “those commitments are important but so are safe streets and good health care.”

Students Taking Action Now: Darfur (STAND) Queen’s has initiated a targeted divestment campaign that is not being carried out in isolation. This Pan-American initiative has had great success in the United States, with successful campaigns at Harvard, Yale, Brown, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania and Dartmouth …

“I find it difficult to understand how those involved in putting together this exposé think that raising cultural issues in such a way is going to solve any problems on campus. Are there more white people than the “other” on campus? Yes. Are the Journal and the AMS guilty of labeling people? Definitely. And so what if the school isn’t as multicultural as York or U of T?” reamarks a Journal reader.

By coming out in favour of a particular candidate, the AMS is responsible for exacerbating town-gown conflict, rather than repairing it.