Opinions
Op-Eds
Vine app offers comedians a new platform
The newest social media apps are forcing comedians to become more creative. Apps like Vine, Snapchat, and even Twitter force users to think in ways that social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube never did. Take Vine, where users simply create a six-second video. I’ve seen funny, sad, and cool Vines. It’s hard to say […]
Op-Eds
U.S. must warm relations with Cold War adversary
In recent weeks, relations between the U.S. and Russia have worsened considerably. Beginning with its decision to give asylum to Edward Snowden and culminating with its opposition to limited American intervention in Syria, Russia and its foreign policy have strained the already complicated relationship between the two geopolitical rivals. When considering the position of Russian […]
Ed Observers
Radical right destroying GOP
As the far-right continues to grow in power and influence, the GOP itself is crumbling. A party that once catered to professionals, businessmen, and hardworking families striving for a more prosperous America has been co-opted by the ignorant, misinformed, and bigots of the country. If the Republican Party hopes to regain its standing in America, […]
Editorial Boards
Nobel Peace Prize has lost its luster
The selection of the Organization of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) as the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize recipient demands interrogation of the award’s legitimacy. OPCW receives the honor despite its failure to meet its April 2012 goal of eliminating all chemical weapons from member states, notably Russia and the United States. In August, the […]
Op-Eds
American democracy is messy, but not broken
With the government shutdown in progress and the deadline to raise the debt ceiling approaching, many have turned to Congress to vent their frustrations. In recent years, Congress seems to have become increasingly partisan, constantly bickering over legislation and getting little accomplished. The Republicans abhor the Affordable Care Act, the Democrats cry foul every time […]
Op-Eds
A flawed system in Washington
I’m sick of my Canadian and Australian friends asking me what the hell is wrong with my government. I’m worried about the government workers on furlough. I’m nervous about what will happen if and when the Treasury runs out of money. But, mostly, I’m frustrated. I’m frustrated because I hear a lot of arguing and […]
Op-Eds
Eliminate cultural bias through online peer review
Undertaking research projects and writing essays about foreign places and different cultures is made easier every time technology improves. Airplanes, telephones, and fax machines, to name just a few important inventions, have made conducting research in places formerly inaccessible to many undergraduate students much more feasible. For instance, I can download a PDF of a […]
Op-Eds
Stop berating Congress and fix the real problem
The current federal shutdown is but the latest antic of a dysfunctional Congress. Enough House Republicans are in favor of the Senate’s proposed compromise to pass it, but as of Tuesday night, Speaker John Boehner won’t let the House vote on it, fearing retaliation from extremists within the GOP. Over the last several years, extremists […]
Editorial Boards
Ditch Facebook, try new platforms
Facebook has lost its cool factor. The ubiquitous social network, once a trending startup that college students across the U.S. loved, is now a 3,000-person, public corporation with a multibillion dollar valuation. Ironically, this is precisely what has led to its decline. It’s no wonder that Facebook spent a jaw-dropping $1 billion on acquiring its […]
Editorial Boards
Publicize protocol for school shooting
In light of recent shootings both in the U.S. and abroad, student safety in the event of a potential incident at UR is of grave concern. Though we hope such events will never happen at UR, we are concerned that students here are grossly unprepared to react appropriately in the event of a school shooting. […]