AT THE May 1999 graduation ceremonies, I had the opportunity to give remarks on behalf of the Alumni Association Board of Managers.
THERE are some people that just can't accept that the fight is over and they've lost. I've always found creationists who fight teaching evolution instead of accepting that the scientific community has embraced it puzzling.
SOMEWHERE in the past 200-odd years, the words "free press" got mangled. Like parallel lines going off into the distance, "freedom of the press" and "free speech" converged, even when the two aren't all that similar. When left-wing activist turn conservative commentator David Horowitz submitted his controversial advertisement regarding slavery reparations to various collegiate newspapers across the nation, the actions of a free press are what denied the ad from seeing newsprint in the majority of those publications. Our founding fathers knew that a free press was necessary to ward off tyranny.
OF ALL the catch phrases and jargon heard around Grounds, none is so pervasive as our sacred "community of trust." Since your first tour of the University, it's likely that some administrator has spoken of it as many times as casserole surprise has been doled out at Newcomb Hall.
WHEN I reflect on it, I am mostly grateful not to be the editor of a newspaper. While I get my share of complaints and nasty letters, rarely can I move them to come and trash my offices.
WHEN EDUCATORS and legislators teach and talk in moral absolutes, they've ceased to be educators and legislators.
AS COLLEGE students, we have countless things to worry about. From war and famine to midterms, papers and lack of sleep, we could spend all day - and all night - worrying about one thing or another.
EVERY DAY I am reminded of a quote by a rather famous gentleman by the name of Thomas Jefferson.
COLUMN TOPICS that are fun to write about usually involve a per-sonal experience. In my case, quite often that column idea must jump in my lap and scream in my face before I can see it.
AFTER college newspapers around the country refused to run an advertisement paid for by conservative writer David Horowitz, many critics across the nation are decrying what they believe is a lack of free speech.
WANT PEOPLE to question your morality, mock your intelligence, and revile you generally? Get on a jury.
TWO RECENT events remind us that every time something bad happens in this world, people love to regurgitate the same crap over and over again in order "effect change." When a child opens fire on his classmates, Americans shout, "Pass stricter gun control laws!" and, "Punish the parents for neglect." When crimes occur at the University, students cry out, "Install more blue phones," and police urge us to "walk in groups." For awhile, I accepted these battle cries in hopes they would somehow make a difference.
LET'S FACE it, we are a divided country. As the last elections proved beyond a shadow of a doubt, we are not yet "One Nation Under God," but instead two fairly distinct cultures with two ways of looking at the world.
IT HAPPENS every semester about this time. The Course Offering Directory becomes available online, tempting students to put their work aside and window shop for classes.
SHE WAS walking to her door, probably fumbling with her keys, arms full of groceries, when it happened.
DESPITE all the glory and attention that comes with being a law student here at Mr. Jefferson's World of Learning, life is not a complete panacea.
IN RECENT years, ecstasy has become a common "club drug" in the United States as well as in the Charlottesville area.
AFTER Columbine, almost two years ago now, there seemed to be a refrain in all the talk following the shooting: "Maybe now they'll be forced to do something about gun control." We watched congressmen propose gun control legislation.
THE UNIVERSITY is a pretty scary place for first years. Each of us arrived full of questions. Yet we also had several days of orientation.
AFTER coming under criticism for last year's report on the use of race as a factor in admissions, the Center for Equal Opportunity, a national think tank based in Washington, D.C.
