I would like to address Joe Pennell’s opinion letter “Columnist was highly offensive” (SN 1/26). I understand you took offense to Brian Emerson Jones’ column, but what exactly did you take offense to? I read your letter twice over and found no valid point of opposition. You just restated Jones’ column and added in some facts.

What I found to be the most ridiculous portion of the letter was your immigration example. “He chastises Ashcroft for opposing federal aid to immigrants and then turns around and criticizes Linda Chavez for ‘exploiting an illegal Guatemalan immigrant.’” What is contradictory about that? Jones was criticizing Ashcroft for opposing support to legal immigrants, and if I recall correctly, Chavez’s Guatemalan servant was illegal.

You then criticize Jones about his opinions on the military by stating he is “an idealistic college student spouting his philosophy on an institution he has never served.” Aren’t you a sophomore at MSU? That would give you how many years serving in the military? Plus, how would someone’s sexual orientation jeopardize American lives that “are on the line in combat” anyway? And going back to the “spouting his philosophy,” isn’t that exactly what you are trying to accomplish in your extremely weak letter?

Unlike you, I am going to state my point. Next time you have an opposition to something, make sure you form a valid argument to your opposition instead of restating facts, because, after all, this is an Opinion Page. If I wanted the facts I would simply watch the nightly news.

Adam Costello
telecommunication sophomore