The best in last week's editorials from college campuses across the nation

Iowa State University

The real problem, though, is that in not listening to the Iraqi Governing Council, the United States has set itself up as an opposition force to the Iraqis rather than a force working with them.

What will sovereignty mean if the United States still has a military force that doesn't consult the local government? As a result, the United States is alienating the very people it set out to help and setting the stage for continual disaster in Iraq.

- "Iraqi sovereignty needs U.S. support," from Iowa State University's Iowa State Daily

University of Mississippi

The road to political hell is paved with good intentions.

Just ask Florida's prison system, which currently offers the nation's first two newly built, faith-based detention centers meant to make "an environment that allows and encourages personal growth, self-reflection and character development," said Alia Faraj, Gov. Jeb Bush's spokeswoman, when speaking to FOX News.

Sounds nice enough. Florida's helping people who've obviously hit at least one of life's impasses and could use some assistance. When U.S. prisons are bursting with inmates, turning out prisoners before they've served their entire sentence, it's good to see that Gov. Bush is prioritizing the prisons. But it's also a little fishy.

The situation gets extra smelly when coupled with the fact that the Sunshine State's pair of faith-based prisons comes from a family crusading for faith-based welfare initiatives, particularly President George W. Bush.

- "Church vs. state goes to jail," from the University of Mississippi's Daily Mississippian

Illinois State University

As if reality television has not gone far enough, networks are now airing glamorized depictions of plastic surgery.

The latest grotesque excuse for "reality" television is Fox's "The Swan." Apparently teen eating disorders and plastic surgery fatalities were not enough for the makers of "The Swan" to think maybe portraying mutilation of these women's bodies as a way to better their lives is a bad idea.

Fox is taking advantage of 17 young women with obviously very low self-esteem. "Fox will do the impossible," the show's Web site states. Inadmissible is more like it. These women will undergo intensive cosmetic surgery with the hopes to "improve" their physical appearance, and in the end have a slight chance at competing in a beauty pageant.

- "Televising plastic surgery glorifies self-mutilation," from Illinois State University's Daily Vidette

Washington State University

So, in the end, there are few choices. Accept this final step in the chain, get a job and join the all-singing, all-dancing generation pumping gas, waiting tables - the slaves with white collars. Then again, returning to school is also a viable option. You either can work toward a major that is more applicable than creative writing or go after a master's degree that certifies on paper that you have been in school for a long time.

Or there is always the choice of living the good life - the drifter's life. Whether it be working odd jobs long enough to spend whole years in different countries, or staying at home with Mom and Dad playing video games from noon to midnight every day, you can always find joy in shouting, "Damn the man, save the Empire."

But cheer up. The most important thing to realize is that, while it has been a lot of fun, college is not life. It is merely the hazy, smoke-filled bus stop before we truly begin a new journey.

- "Graduating isn't so great after all," from Washington State University's Daily Evergreen

- Compiled from U-Wire