Every Friday, the Daily Texan editorial board will publish a selection of tweets and online comments culled from the Daily Texan website and the various Daily Texan Twitter accounts, along with direct submissions from readers. 

Our intention is to continue the tradition of the Firing Line, a column first started in the Texan in 1909, in which readers share their opinions “concerning any matter of general interest they choose.” Just like in 1909, the Texan “will never express its approval or disapproval of opinions given under the [Firing Line] header.” In other words, take your shot.  Submissions can be sent to [email protected]. Submissions are edited for length.  

I was hoping to get an explanation as to why a university-endorsed publication would publish articles dissuading an elite athlete from attending said university. I’m not sure if this is a troll job to get more people to read The Daily Texan, but if so, it worked today. However, if this is the type of content I can consistently expect from your publication, the troll tactic will not work again.

— Aaron Gregg, via email in response to the Evan Berkowitz's column “Why five-star recruit Myles Turner should not choose Texas”

I was beyond amazed when my friends told me that a student writing for The Daily Texan posted an article berating the University. In fact, I had to read the article myself to believe it. In Mr. Berkowitz’s article “Why five-star recruit Myles Turner should not choose Texas,” Berkowitz suggests that:

1) Longhorn fans do not care about basketball

2) Basketball gets little to no attention in Austin

3) Rick Barnes is an inferior coach.

I will not dignify Mr. Berkowitz’s dishonest journalism with responses to these ill-conceived points — it is not worth my time. Honest to goodness, I have absolutely no idea what Mr. Berkowitz is trying to accomplish with this article, other than calling The University of Texas an inferior school. Presumably, Mr. Berkowitz is a Longhorn, writing to other Longhorns. Given this assumption — and I haven’t quite ruled out that Mr. Berkowitz is an Aggie or Sooner — there is absolutely no legitimate reason as to why he should bad-mouth his own school. 

I am deeply distressed — even hurt by this article, and I — as well as a lot of people that I know — expect nothing less than a formal apology on the part of Mr. Berkowitz and on the part of The Daily Texan. Truly, The Daily Texan should be ashamed for approving this article. 

— Ben Danna, via email in response to Evan Berkowitz's column “Why five-star recruit Myles Turner should not choose Texas”