Opinion

Opinion

Staff editorial: Giving states an equal say

February 14

Not to be overly cynical, but if we strip the grandeur from yesterday's so-called "Potomac Primary" - if not the entire 2008 primary process - does it not become increasingly clear that the system itself is incredibly undemocratic? True, more voters have participated in this year's primaries than in any other election cycle.

---

Opinion

Life in the district: Napping: The sole benefit of dorm life

By Olga Khazan | February 14

At times, it seems there are only drawbacks to living in the dorms. You have to pee with other people on either side of you, coordinate your sexual activities with your roommate's class schedule and look out for puddles of vomit on your way to the bathroom on Saturday mornings.

---

Opinion

Staff editorial: A sick system

February 14

Although it may seem wrong for AU to require its students to purchase health insurance, perhaps anything less than mandatory coverage would prove harmful to the university. Considering how difficult it is for millions of Americans to purchase and retain insurance, the reason why the university maintains this requirement is simple: How many students would purchase health insurance if it were not required? Chances are, very few.

---

Opinion

What a travesty: New taxi meters benefit District

By Travis McArthur | February 14

In April, all D.C. taxi drivers will be required to charge their passengers by a time-and-distance meter instead of the confusing zone system currently in place. The District, unlike every other major metropolitan area, requires taxis to charge passengers according to the number of zones crossed because in 1933, Congress, when it still ran the District like a fiefdom, prohibited taxis from charging by a meter system.

---

Opinion

Letter to the editor

February 11

Peter's Brusoe's column about AU's smoking policy in The Eagle's Feb. 7 edition is devoid of anything that could be considered a valid warrant. Nowhere in his column did he mention anything resembling a sound argument. For example, Brusoe writes, "Many smokers ask the question, 'Is smoking a problem on this campus?' Yes.

---

Opinion

Correction for Feb. 7, 2008

February 11

In "Colleges respond to federal pressure from lawmakers on standards," the correct name of the organization that accredits schools is the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

---

Opinion

Staff editorial: An accurate survey of service?

February 11

While we applaud AU for the creation of Eagle Eyes, a secret-shopper program designed to improve the customer service of the university's dining facilities, students shouldn't charge AU with a task it can't complete. Not to be too scathing, but all of the reimbursed meals and service surveys in the world can't instill AU's student body with a sense of respect, consideration and common sense.

---

Opinion

Staff editorial: Facing a privacy concern

February 11

We watched it happen to MySpace, and now we fear it may destroy Facebook. As businesses realize the potential markets in social-networking Web sites, advertisers begin to violate our havens of procrastination, transforming us from simple users into niche consumers often without our consent.

---

Opinion

Common sense: Katrina relief: An American failure

By Charlie Szold | February 11

I'm a pretty patriotic guy. I really like this country a whole lot. That is why when I talk about something being a "disgrace," you should take me very seriously. The war in Iraq is not a disgrace. President Bush is not a disgrace. Even Nancy Pelosi doesn't deserve that moniker.

---

Opinion

Capitol blues: Avoiding sex, race adjectives in '08 vote

By Lisa Petak | February 11

I am proud to be a Democrat this year. The party finally found a clear voice of criticism against President Bush's management of the economy (or lack thereof) and the war in Iraq, and the two remaining candidates are people Democrats actually like. Unlike 2004 - when we had to convince others (and ourselves) that Kerry was the right man for the job - most people genuinely approve of this year's presidential choices.

---

Opinion

Letter to the editor

February 7

I can understand Emily Bush's personal dislike of the new sex column. I, for one, think it can be a good idea to have a cute theme - even a pirate theme - if it will help get the attention of the young, single people the "shipmates" of the "Lusty Saber" are trying to reach.

---

Opinion

In my humble opinion: Time to revise AU smoking policy

By Peter Brusoe | February 7

No issue divides the campus community as much as the issue of smoking. Student opinion breaks down into two camps. One side advocates for a total ban on smoking. The other side views any infringement upon smoking as a personal affront. While student leaders quibble back and forth, the rest of us are kept in perpetual limbo.

---

Opinion

Staff editorial: A vote for cheaper textbooks

February 7

Not to reiterate a point we made in our Sunday staff editorial, but college costs are insurmountably high. Tuition costs are rising faster than inflation while loan companies are decreasing their private loan application acceptance rate, creating a financial catastrophe that no student should face.

---

Opinion

In our own words: Two-party system hurts U.S. polity

By Dave Stone | February 7

When George Washington left office in 1796, he gave an address to the American people. He thanked them for electing him to office for two terms, he asked that they not forget to have affection for their nation and he spoke of the "debt of gratitude" he held for his country.

---

Opinion

Letter to the editor

February 7

I am extremely disappointed in The Eagle for continuing to publish one of its most recent columns, the "Police Blotter." Not only does this display the lack of creativity and imagination that many Eagle writers have, it gives the school a bad reputation and embarrasses the students who have to read about their own transport in the newspaper.

---

Opinion

Letter from the editor

February 7

While the police blotter may seem like a weekly summary of alcohol transports and minor security breaches, there is a variety of important reasons The Eagle continues to publish it. First, students have a right to know what occurs on their campus, regardless of whether the infractions we report are depressing or negative.

---

Opinion

Op-Ed: Bush's address stirs no debate

By Jong Eun Lee | February 4

Unlike many of my fellow Democrats, I have lot of sympathy for President Bush. I was encouraged when he first ran for president in 2000 as a "compassionate conservative." Contrary to what many believe, I have found Bush's political philosophy to encompass a lot of "liberal" elements: government-sponsored social programs, commitment to global democracy, tolerant policies toward immigration, etc.

---