Perspectives

On March 21 I got a panicked phone call from my mother. Hearing her even but obviously aggrieved tone I couldn't help but think of those movie scenes in which policemen solemnly approach the door of a death victim's family. "Lindsey— it passed 219 to 212."She was talking about the passage of the health care bill and the dire police scene wasn't too far off base. To her in … [Read more...] about Middle class benched in politics game

"Look out for the redhead sophomore Joelle Takahashi said as we boarded the train for our weekly trip from Lausanne to Moudon, a half-hour ride.  He looks adorable but he's the biggest trouble maker of them all.""Excellent I thought. This was only my second time volunteering at the Moudon refugee facility in Switzerland, and the next two hours sounded like... a challenge, … [Read more...] about Mentoring Swiss youth imparts meaning

The fact that our nation devotes the first day in April to pranks and jokes suggests the importance of humor in our society. But what exactly is American humor? It would be nice to describe it as intelligent and witty but fastidious channel-changing proves otherwise as shows like "Jerry Springer "Jersey Shore" and "Jackass" appeal to our less-refined sense of … [Read more...] about Staff Editorial: Bring a classy dose of humor to this April Fools' Day

California voters have finally done it. Nearly 700000 signatures were gathered and submitted to the California secretary of state to put a measure on the ballot this November that would legalize the possession and sale of marijuana. But before the Harolds and Kumars of the world rejoice they will have to take an actual look at the proposed measure. While it does legalize … [Read more...] about Voters to determine legality of pot

The most dangerous of social problems are those that go unchecked for so long that they cease to inspire indignation or action among the members of a society. The commonness of an injustice seems to spur the belief that it cannot or should not be any other way.Poverty in the United States has become a problem of this sort. Now is a time when poverty is at an 11-year apex in … [Read more...] about Renewed vigor needed in U.S. poverty fight