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(10/01/10 5:45am)
IT'S hard to find confidence in politics these days. The heyday of President Obama's political fervor has been tempered by a faltering economic recovery, the worst oil catastrophe of all time, sinking approval ratings and a tea party movement spearheaded by Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck. As the Obama administration flounders and Republicans make moves to retake government, Democrats can only hope the times will change. Yet amidst the turmoil of Obama's inner circle comes one glowing exception. Love her or hate her, Hillary Rodham Clinton seems to be the only one from the Obama administration coming out of this political fire storm with her reputation intact. And she has even managed to do it with class and strong approval ratings.
(09/24/10 5:55am)
According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, a private non-profit organization that monitors American business cycles, the Great Recession, which began in December 2007, officially ended in June 2009. It was the longest post-World War II recession, lasting a total of 18 months. The recession is over, but the consequences remain. Despite the June 2009 trough in financial activity, America's economy continues to struggle, with a 25 percent risk of a double-dip recession according to top economic analysts (from Goldman Sachs). Even if America can avoid falling into another recession, the economic situation remains dire. Since the recovery period began, unemployment has remained high and the housing recession continues. Perhaps most heartbreaking is the rise in poverty both in the United States and worldwide. With international attention focused on global poverty this week at the United Nations Millenium Development Summit, now is the time for the Obama administration to step up to the type of "change" America needs. Rising levels of poverty in the United States must necessitate a government-led national dialogue on combating poverty.
(09/17/10 5:39am)
Sept. 24, the University will hold its first-ever "Day of Dialogue" devoted to open and honest discourse about community responsibility and campus safety. University faculty, staff and students will join together for a day of spirited discussion about the University's strengths and weaknesses. "Day of Dialogue: Toward a Caring Community," initiated by President Theresa A. Sullivan, comes in the wake of the murder of Yeardley Love in Spring 2010. Although the Day of Dialogue represents an excellent opportunity to establish a community wide reflection about our University's strengths and weaknesses, this open and honest dialogue should move into our classrooms and lecture halls where it has previously been lacking. Classroom education must expand beyond course material to include more real world issues and discourse about University life.
(09/10/10 5:10am)
The greater the risk, the greater the profit. As the mantra goes, those who take risks often yield larger payoffs, except when the risks become reality. On April 20, 2010, the BPoil spill proved that the consequences of offshore drilling far outweigh the possible benefits. Yet even as America witnesses firsthand the catastrophic consequences of the worst oil spill in history, the risk taking soars. More sophisticated oil rigs continue to operate unregulated in the Gulf Coast and with higher sophistication comes heightened danger. The United States government must take responsibility for the Gulf Coast oil disaster and hold those involved fully accountable. Future drilling projects must also be halted until an unbiased investigation of the BP spill is concluded and regulations are put in place to prevent future disasters.
(08/27/10 4:45am)
Following the murder of Yeardley Love in the spring of 2010, the University acted swiftly to implement changes in school policy regarding notification of student arrests. The new notification policy implemented this year made it mandatory for students to disclose arrests or convictions prior to the start of the fall semester. Though the new NetBadge arrest notification system is a necessary step to building a safer community, it should one of the University's responses to combating domestic violence on Grounds. While the University works at developing further policy directed at helping the victims of domestic violence, emphasis must be placed on educating the entire community - in particular, faculty and staff. Faculty and staff must take a more prominent role in combating domestic violence on Grounds.
(04/30/10 9:13pm)
The University community reacted sharply to the bias incident that took place on Thursday, April 15, when two female fourth-year University students became the victims of repeated racial slurs by a drunk, white male student. Although the University's response was admirable, it is only the beginning of what is needed to combat the bias that permeates our University community and larger society. Everyday in Charlottesville and around the country, minorities become the direct victims of racial or sexual bias. Unfortunately, these incidents often go unreported but still harm our society in more ways than one. Bias attitudes and practices are normalized and excused at the expense of equality. Future University dialogue must encompass all forms of discrimination, including those more subtly ingrained into our culture.
(04/26/10 5:39am)
APRIL 22, the world celebrated the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Over one billion people worldwide took part in grassroots activities to direct attention to the crises of our environment. Now, more than ever, international collaboration is needed to combat the vast climate and environmental issues that threaten our planet. Although the 2010 Earth Day primarily focused on the issue of climate change, many core issues also need our immediate attention. Earth Day 2010 should be a stepping stone for further engagement in the diverse range of issues that often get neglected by government in light of other concerns such as health care and the economy. Individuals around the world can find the opportunity to save our planet by locating their interest in core environmental matters such as conservation, education, sustainable development, biodiversity, energy conservation, recycling and waste management.
(04/16/10 5:04am)
By this time most Americans have performed their civic duties by filling out the 10 question U.S. Census form before Census Day, April 1. Every decade, the U.S. Census Bureau attempts to calculate the population of the United States, which totals more than 300 million. The process is both contentious and costly, which typically causes its fair share of controversy. Mandated by law, the United States Census has both political and economic significance, as it determines the basis for apportioning representatives to Congress and allocates billions of dollars for federal funding and provisions for redistricting. However, as our country attempts to embark on a new era of social consciousness, certain terminology on the 2010 Census drew negative attention.
(04/09/10 4:08am)
On March 31, President Obama stood before an F/A-18 bio-fueled fighter jet at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and unveiled his administration's strategy for the future of the United State's energy policy. Obama's carefully crafted setting did little to appease the concerns of environmentalists and East Coast senators when he announced plans to open protected areas in the southern Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico and northern Alaska to offshore oil and natural gas drilling. Obama argued that offshore drilling would move the United States toward a clean energy future while strengthening the economy in the short term. Unfortunately, offshore drilling fails to accomplish either of these objectives and seems like more of a political ruse.
(04/02/10 5:41am)
If you have sat through any large lecture class at the University, you have most likely encountered the infamous "class study guide" or contributed to a study group. At exam time, collaborative learning becomes known for both its merits and controversy. Study guides and study groups are effective collaborative learning techniques, but the lack of consensus among departments and professors in terms of their use could lead to a grey area in the honor system. To avoid unnecessary problems with the honor code, all departments should require that professors outline their policy in regards to group work on their syllabus at the start of each term.
(03/26/10 5:15am)
The celebrated conservationist and steward of the American wilderness, Theodore Roosevelt once said, "We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune." As 26th president of the United States, Roosevelt helped preserve over 230 million acres of American wilderness for future generations. Roosevelt's spirit of conservationism and environmentalism should be emulated by both the Obama administration and state governments during these trying economic times. Leadership is needed more than ever as state governments across the country have detailed proposals to cut funding and start closing state parks and historic sites.
(03/19/10 4:45am)
Often with a struggling economy, decisions must be made to reduce expenditures in the most practical manner possible, with cuts to non-vital programs coming first. In February, Gov. Bob McDonnell proposed a budget that promised to cut many of the life-saving services in Virginia. His proposed budget promised to cut services for victims of domestic violence, child advocacy groups and shelters for the homeless. Fortunately, thanks to pressures from the community and activist groups, the General Assembly did not accept these drastic cuts and instead proposed cuts that were closer to the proposed cuts of former Gov. Tim Kaine. Now, McDonnell must sign the proposed budget for 2011-2012. Still, according to Claire Kaplan, Director of Sexual and Domestic Violence Services at the University, the proposed cuts are the largest she has seen since 1991. While the state government faces difficult economic times and choices, the issue of gender violence should not be neglected, but rather should be a priority. College women across America and within the University community will be directly affected by our political decisions and for some women, it could be a matter of life and death.
(02/19/10 5:48am)
In the technologically savvy climate of the 21st century, social media has won increased influence on the international scene. In recent weeks, social media has helped to raise millions of dollars for Haiti earthquake relief and has shed light onto the censorship practices of China. In Iran, the blog-osphere has also proven to be a primary means of communication for dissidents. As the influence of grass roots media continues to rise, governments around the world will intensify pressures to expurgate information. As international freedom declines and censorship rises, social media will continue to play a primary role in the exchange of information.
(02/05/10 5:32am)
In 2009, animal rights activist Bob Barker donated one million dollars to the University Law School to create Virginia's first Animal Rights Law program. Host of the popular game show "The Price is Right," Barker has spent his life advocating for animals. His commitment to animal rights and philanthropy in retirement should be commended. Barker's donation recognizes that animal rights is a hot topic in American law and society. Furthermore, humane treatment of animals should become a staple for all levels of education in our nation.
(01/29/10 5:00am)
Filling the shoes of John T. Casteen III was not an easy task. As such, the Board of Visitors should be applauded for the recent selection of Teresa A. Sullivan as the University's eighth president. Elected unanimously by the Board on Jan. 11, Sullivan will be the first female president in the University's 185-year history. The election of a woman to fill the president's post is long overdue and is an encouraging step toward more gender equality in the future. For a university that still struggles with gender diversity, particularly among its faculty, Sullivan is a positive role model for the University's future female leaders.
(01/22/10 8:58am)
What happened? A question that no doubt is on Democrats' minds as they recall the Massachusetts Senate race. On Tuesday, Massachusetts held a special election to fill the recently vacated seat of the lately deceased "Lion of the Senate," Edward M. Kennedy. Little-known Republican candidate Scott Brown shocked the nation as he took the election from Democrat Martha Coakley. A candidate birthed from the Tea Party movement, Scott Brown was little more than a passing threat to the Democratic Party. Kennedy had held his senate seat for 47 years in a historically loyal blue state. The election should have been a no-brainer. To witness such a reversal to Kennedy's legacy is not only unexpected, but raises questions about the Democratic leadership and shifting public sentiment.
(12/03/09 6:38am)
With the passage of the Thanksgiving holiday, most Americans feel their jeans tugging a little tighter on their waistlines. It comes as no surprise that Americans love to eat. We even have a national holiday dedicated to unrestrained feasting. In reality, the American "fat" epidemic is no laughing matter. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2006, 67 percent of non-institutionalized adults aged 20 years or older were considered either overweight or obese. Of this number, 34 percent were considered obese. When it comes to stymieing the effects of the rapidly expanding waistline, the government has taken little action, leaving some innovative Americans to take matters into their own hands. Recently, Lincoln University - located in Oxford, Pennsylvania - came under fire for a graduation requirement which mandates that students deemed medically obese either lose weight or participate in a semester-long physical fitness class. While the policy sparked controversy and does single out certain otherwise academically qualified individuals, more inventive policies like it are needed if America hopes to battle its weight problem.
(11/19/09 7:05am)
Health care reform has occupied President Obama's agenda for most of his first year, but finally his toils have come to fruition. On Nov. 7, the House voted to pass a massive health care reform bill that would recondition the U.S. health care system. Though proponents of health care reform rejoiced over the House vote, the bill came with a frightening provision barring the coverage of abortions. The historic health care reform bill comes at the expense of women's reproductive rights and promises to increase friction down the road as the bill seeks approval in the Senate.
(11/12/09 5:52am)
"Too little, too late" seems to be a recurring motto. Too often tragedy strikes when we are unprepared. Only after the dust has settled are we able to understand what went wrong and hopefully prepare for the future. Once again, media headlines have been infiltrated with news of a mass shooting on U.S. soil, this time on an American military base in Fort Hood, Texas. Any competent track runner knows that being one-step behind is no way to win a race. America's sluggish response to increased domestic threats has cost American lives and will continue to threaten citizens' safety unless a more proactive effort is made by the public to counter the increased risks.
(11/05/09 6:11am)
Recently deemed a "national emergency" by President Barack Obama, the swine flu pandemic is racing ahead and the U.S. is coming up short. The H1N1 vaccine, which began production in spring 2009, took longer to manufacture than originally was expected. The shortage is shocking: The nation is millions of doses short of original forecasts.