Opinion columnists get a lot of hate mail.It’s the nature of the job. If a columnist writes about anything that means anything to anybody, that column will inevitably make somebody very angry.Whether it’s an e-mail or a comment on lsureveille.com, there is usually someone who is absolutely incensed about the content of the opinion page.Personally, I have received comments ranging from “poor research” to “a pathetic excuse for journalism” to “you are a disgrace to your mother and father.”Those are only the ones that pass the obscenity filters — and other columnists have received far worse.But among the angry, semi-coherent personal attacks, there is sometimes a well-thought out, articulated response. These comments — which critique style, correct factual errors and expose holes in arguments — are exactly what any good columnist wants to receive.First, they help us improve as writers.No good columnist — especially at the college level — believes they are perfect. A legitimate critique is not just desirable, it’s necessary.A columnist too arrogant to receive criticism will never improve; a columnist humble enough to admit fault will progress.And nothing is more humbling — or instructive — than receiving an e-mail methodically deconstructing your column, line by painstaking line.On a more abstract level, criticism from our readers fulfills our purpose as writers.Contrary to popular belief — including that of many columnists — the purpose of an opinion writer is not necessarily to change minds. On virtually all of the major issues of our day, the odds of one columnist’s words radically altering anyone’s worldview are unlikely — as they should be.Instead, a good column is intended to make readers think. A good column stirs discussion among the student body, so the people who read the paper more completely digest the issues that face them.The University is a place of learning, a place where ideas are meant to be exchanged often and freely. And as columnists, our job is to contribute to that process.If a columnist writes that God is as impossible as Santa Claus and his elves, he isn’t looking to cause widespread apostasy. Instead, he is be trying to raise the issue of religion and challenge those who believe in God to defend their beliefs.If a columnist writes that roads should be privatized, the government shouldn’t immediately relinquish control of the interstate system. Instead, that column should point out where flaws exist in the government.From the number of comments and page hits this semester’s section has garnered, it appears we are doing our job.But there’s always room for improvement.During the application process for the fall semester, there has been no shortage of applicants that have displayed the coherence, eloquence and intellectual ability to create excellent commentary. Whether you enjoyed the opinion section this semester or hated it, we will do our best to get better. When the campus returns to classes in August, there will be some old faces and some new ones on these pages. Whoever is writing, we will get better. We will be talking about more relevant issues, searching for better facts and cleaning up our style.For those of you graduating, congratulations and good luck. For those of you who will be returning, I hope you continue to read.And please keep up the hate mail. It’s the only way for us to get better as columnists, and it’s the best way to raise the level of discourse on campus.I would gladly sift through a hundred comments insulting my worth as a human being if there is just one that points out what I’m doing wrong.Matthew Albright is a 20-year-old mass communication sophomore from Baton Rouge.—-Contact Matthew Albright at [email protected]