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

University of South Florida

The Bush administration comparing the war against guerilla forces of loosely knit terror networks with military actions against a well-organized militaristic Nazi regime, whose installations and armies are clearly marked as such, is rather far fetched.

By touting comparisons such as this, the administration will not only lose more support in Europe, where leaders are very informed and aware of their history, it also taints the memorial ceremonies of the soldiers who fought in WWII.

÷ "D-Day ceremonies overshadowed by far-feteched comparison," from the University of South Florida's Oracle

University of California ÷ Los Angeles

As Americans reflect on Reagan's life and leadership, it is important not to gloss over the details that may be unfavorable. He led the United States during a crucial period of growth and conflict, and we owe it to future generations to remember and learn from his legacy, both the good and the bad.

÷ "U.S. can learn good, bad of presidency," from the University of California ö Los Angeles' Daily Bruin

University of Minnesota

President George W. Bush rarely misses an opportunity to tell Americans that Iraq is front and center in the war on terrorism. That may help bolster the sagging approval for operations in Iraq, but it ignores Afghanistan's role in combating terrorism.

Afghanistan is now entering its most critical phase since the United States overthrew the Taliban in 2001. Taliban remnants have intensified violence aimed at derailing the country's first democratic elections in September. The U.S. and NATO allies' response to this threat will determine whether democracy takes root.

÷ "Afghanistan: The forgotten front," from the University of Minnesota's Minnesota Daily

Brigham Young University

It seems general patriotic decay is spreading across our land, with only the threat of national terror to breathe a little life back into our national allegiance. We don't stand for the raising of the flag, we don't stop on campus when the national anthem is played and we claim to be Canadian when we're abroad. Why is this happening? In World War II, a little more than 60 years ago, our country was at war. So what did our people do? We bought war bonds, we donated metal, we volunteered to serve and we pulled together. Today's popular trend is to sneer at our troops in Iraq and criticize our country with apathetic detachment. We have been spoiled by living in the decadence of freedom; we take our citizenship for granted, cheapening the sacrifices made to get us here.

÷ "Star-spangled apathy" from Brigham Young University's Daity Universe

University of Texas ÷ Austin

Few politicians can match McCain's record and reputation for candor and integrity, so the attractions of this arrangement to the Democrats are obvious. McCain, on the other hand, arguably gains little from alienating his own party, giving up a powerful Senate seat and taking up the non-responsibilities of the vice president. The Arizona Senator has consistently and steadfastly denied any interest in the slot, and Kerry's not talking. No one knows for sure, but few believe that we will actually see a Kerry-McCain ticket. The idea is still important, though, because of what its popularity says about the party of Jefferson, Jackson and FDR. When many Democrats want to nominate a Republican to run on their ticket, is it possible to deny any longer that the party has lost its way?

÷ "Democrats don't need Kerry-McCain ticket," from the University of Texas ÷ Austin's Daily Texan