Editor, Daily Nexus,

I was overwhelmingly disgusted to read the Nexus editorial on Friday, April 26. By choosing to print some offensive on-line statements, the Nexus validated hurtful and destructive remarks to tear down the face, integrity and respect of students vying in the recent Associated Students elections.

As a former A.S. representative, I know that it is the nature of politics to be passionate, or even apathetic, about issues and candidates. It was unfortunate to read extreme examples of demoralizing rhetoric occur at this institution of higher education. However, in politics, degrading statements and gossip like those are expected, but how we choose to deconstruct that better reflect our ideals and moral values.

So, why did the Nexus choose to print those on-line statements?

No matter how the Nexus chooses to defend or explain their reasoning for the editorial, these ludicrous comments that probed into the private lives of A.S. candidates are now even more prolific and widespread by virtue of their publication. This act was not only embarrassing, but holds no place in any UC campus newspaper. It may be hard to accept, but the Gauchoholic and Student Action Coalition candidates, no matter how public their lives may be, are, in the end, students too.

As the official media representative of UCSB, the Nexus has the ethical duty of being above insensitivity, thoughtlessness, and coldness, especially when it is impossible to accurately identify sources that are anonymous. While we ought to exercise our right to freedom of speech, the Nexus simultaneously has the power in monitoring the dialogue on its website, especially hateful dialogue that ultimately hinders the rights of others.

While the Nexus may have tried to hold A.S. candidates and some members of the student body accountable by highlighting their thoughtless and shocking comments, it should not have overshadowed the amazing voter turnout, probably the highest since ten years ago.

But now, the damage has been done, twice. First from comments on the website and now in newsprint. The Nexus has accomplished no good in increasing the reputation of UCSB in that editorial, and I hold the editor in chief, Opinion editors, and webmaster responsible for exhibiting tactless leadership, poor judgment, and unethical journalism.

MEL FABI