Op-Eds
Op-Eds
Come to oppose the Common Core
Bill Gates has called it a “big win for education”. Its website prominently displays the noble mission of “preparing America’s students for success”. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan claims that it will “set loose the creativity and innovation of educators at the local level”. What am I talking about? That would be “Common Core”, […]
Op-Eds
Animal testing needs to go
The controversy surrounding animal testing has recently become a major international news story with the European Union, India, and Israel banning animal testing for cosmetics and the revelation that China has quietly been requiring cosmetic tests that poison, burn, and blind animals even though superior methods not requiring animal testing are now available. The debate […]
Op-Eds
Don’t be a bystander on Ukraine
In times of great political upheaval, there is nothing more dangerous than the passive acceptance of crimes committed on an international scale. While to many Americans the internal turmoil taking place in Ukraine may seem distant and obscure, it is crucial to understand that Russia’s military involvement in the affairs of an independent country may […]
Op-Eds
U.S. should embrace moderation
Last November, the West watched in disappointment as the President of Ukraine, Victor Yanukovych, suspended EU negotiations. Disappointment turned to hope as this became the catalyst for mass protests against the president’s corrupt regime. Hope turned to disgust when Yanukovych’s party in Parliament illegally gave him dictatorial powers, which was used to suppress dissent. Disgust […]
Op-Eds
We don’t want war
I cannot stand the media coverage offered by both the Western and Russian, my own country’s, news sources. On one hand, the western news has completely demonized Russia and shown obvious favoritism to the temporary government in Ukraine, while official news sources in Russia blame the West for the coup d’état in Kiev. It’s simply […]
Op-Eds
Putin aims to lift reputation with Olympics
Sochi. A city which you’ve probably never heard of until only a few months ago but have heard mentioned a dozens times since. The infamous location for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia has drawn an immense amount of attention, not just because it’s the Winter Olympics, but because of its price, location, lack of […]
Op-Eds
Warily optimistic of on-campus dining
The University of Rochester has offered me a wonderful place for education and living. I enjoy my classes and continue to further my education. Living on campus is not without its downsides, however. Typically, my day has many points where I feel the desire for a decent meal, but I am left unfulfilled. The dining […]
Op-Eds
What’s the fracking problem?
In 2008, New York banned hydrofracking in order to study its effects on the environment and public health. Current governor Andrew Cuomo has upheld this moratorium since taking office in 2011, allegedly waiting for Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah’s review of the issue, which has no deadline to be completed. Recently, Environmental Conservation Department Commissioner […]
Op-Eds
Sustainability Does Make Sense
While walking through the halls the other day, I noticed something bewildering, but not surprising: Some people speak different languages. Having grown up in a place where there is little language diversity, I find it a bit uncomfortable, yet intriguing, to hear people speak a different language. It intimidates me with its difference and intricacy, […]
Op-Eds
Income Inequality: Let It Be
Income inequality. It surely doesn’t sound like a good thing. I’d imagine that no one particularly enjoys being financially ‘worse off’ than anyone else, and that’s exactly what President Obama appealed to during this year’s State of the Union Address. While he did an excellent job giving his speech (as per usual), he failed to […]
