Perspectives

By Cynthia Guerrero & Anjuli Fielder Contributing Writers The recent recall election has been overly debated and discussed to the point where some might ask if the only object in need of being recalled is the recall measure itself. When the idea of recall was proposed in 1911, the circumstances surrounding the inclusion of this mechanism led to a real concern regarding … [Read more...] about The ramifications of democracy and choice

Pepperdine wages an endless struggle to balance its religious convictions with the secularity of its students. Understanding that many choose to ignore the policy that sexual intercourse is prohibited on campus, the student Health Center provided contraceptives to anyone who requested them. Understanding that many choose to ignore the policy that binge drinking is prohibited … [Read more...] about Policies are inconsistent

By Brent Russo Contributing Writer Convocation never does much for me. I have had my fill of hyper-enthusiastic Christian singing troupes, middle-aged men’s advice on relationships, aristocratic ceremonies and the general rehashing of Church of Christ doctrine. I have even had my fill of Holocaust survivors. Occasionally, however, a Convocation offers something progressive – … [Read more...] about Is dialogue on homosexuality appropriate at Pepperdine?

By JJ Bowman Associate Editor Southern California fire watching may have surpassed “The Joe Schmo Show,” “Newlyweds” and “Kobe vs. Shaq 2: Rape of Honor” as the best reality television. The intensity of the fires and the anguish involved for people fleeing their houses-turned kindling has produced incredible drama. The fires even managed to overshadow one of the ugliest attacks … [Read more...] about A small ($87 billion) price to pay for freedom

By Jordan Morris Perspectives Editor Most of us cannot pretend to remember the chaotic outbreak of AIDS in the early 1980s, when the world was thrown into an international neurosis. Nor can most of us pretend to understand the devastation the disease wreaks on its victims — the marauding of the immune system, closely followed by untimely social and physical deaths. After all, … [Read more...] about HIV infection soars, yet AIDS threat ‘isn’t a problem’