Opinion

Staff editorial: SG diversity discussion

Perhaps a result of poor advertising and timing, the 10 participants at the SG diversity panel last Friday were already members of the Student Government. But Friday night's fiasco is also yet another example of how the SG executive board is not representative of the student body.

What a travesty: Funding won't fix District schools

A recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce "report card" on educational effectiveness ranked D.C. dead last. The District received an "F" in academic achievement due to low marks on nationally comparable indicators. The report noted that D.C. "stands 25 percentage points below the national average in the percentage of fourth graders at or above the proficient level on the NAEP math exam.

Letter to the editor: Botero exhibit 'anti-military'

The opening of Fernando Botero's art exhibit covering the abuses at Abu Ghraib is but one of many examples of AU taking every opportunity it can to bash the military. The actions taken by a small number of soldiers in Iraq has been used as a rallying cry for anti-war and anti-military groups, while the vast majority of soldiers have followed regulations, something the insurgency cannot attest to.

Letter to the editor: Response to 'Feds' big hand a welcome guide'

I would like to address many of the false assumptions and poor arguments that are found in Jacob Shelly's latest column, "Feds' big hand a welcome guide." Mr. Shelly has a rather selective view of history when he brings up emancipation, the Great Depression and school desegregation.

Staff editorial: Botero exhibit debuts

Colombian artist Fernando Botero's controversial Abu Ghraib paintings debuted in the AU Museum this Tuesday, and AU students should be honored and open-minded. Although the 79 paintings depict gruesome acts of torture and violence, Botero's exhibit represents the pinnacle of free speech, a "beautiful" form of expression that helps onlookers "come to terms with horror and tragedy," as museum curator Jack Rasmussen said.

Life in the District: The joys of D.C.'s rush hour Metrorail

The Metro is a nice perk of this city. It does get one from point A to B most of the time. It allows us to drink as much as we want sans drunken driving, and it allows us to be pretentiously environmentalist with that cute hemp-clothing guy when we talk about how we never drive, ever.

Correction for Nov. 1, 2007

In "South Sudan crisis ignored in midst of Darfur attention," a photo caption incorrectly indicated that Eggers, Marlowe and Chrobog presented "their film" at the event. In fact, each presented their own works. The photo is of Dave Eggers showing slides from his visit.

Staff editorial: Cheaper contraceptives

Two years ago, a regulation in the Deficit Reduction Act prohibited pharmaceutical companies from selling birth control to college health centers at discount prices. Costs for birth control rose at schools nationwide. Here at AU, students paid, and continue to pay, between $15 and $35 for their monthly contraceptives.

Letter to the editor: Response to Szold's column

In "Owning Up to Our Selfish Footprints," Charlie Szold's points regarding who's responsible for harming the environment, while difficult to accept, are well-founded and important to recognize. Society continues to point fingers in whichever direction it can find.

Letter to the editor: Conservative women should not sacrifice convictions

I would be lying to myself if I said I completely agree with the way the Women's Initiative advances feminism. In fact, I do not agree with a lot of things that are associated with the whole women's equality movement. It is highly unfortunate, but I have been forced to find my own medium to advance the cause.

Staff editorial: Letts floor floods

A day after a pipe burst and flooded the Letts North terrace, it seems that affected students lack a reasonable explanation of what happened, and unaffected students don't even know a flood occurred. What we know is that available housing staff was quick to help students relocate and avoid the unexpected deluge.

Editorial cartoon

Correction for Oct. 29, 2007

In the Oct. 29 article "Successful opener for both AU swim teams," the accompanying photo caption misidentified the swimmer as Molly Bohmer. The swimmer was senior Melinda Gilbert.

Staff editorial: Second round of resignations

SG Vice President Jeff Hanley and Comptroller David Teslicko announced yesterday their resignation plans, officially leaving SG President Joe Vidulich as the sole survivor of this frantic fall semester. Although Hanley's and Teslicko's resignations coincide with their spring semester trips abroad, their academic aspirations barely justify their perceivably unexpected announcement.

Letter to the editor: Former columnist Key apologizes

On Oct. 31, I was released from the columnist position due to several instances of inadequate citation and my failure to honestly acknowledge the sources I used in my article from The Economist. While I did cite that particular article, I did not do so enough for all the references I made and the statistics I obtained from it.

Progressive point: Feds' big hand a welcome guide

Halloween, more than an excuse to gorge on candy, is also an ideological celebration for conservatives. Right-wingers have developed an obsessive addiction to fear, whispering spooky tales of an Islamic takeover of the United States, gays buying wedding rings and immigrants requesting driver's licenses (in Spanish!).

When good men do nothing: Scandals, crimes hurt GOP popularity

Does everyone do it? This is what I ask myself these days whenever I pick up a newspaper. It seems like every time I do, there is a new story about one of our boys in Washington resigning because of some sort of sex scandal. It is interesting and disturbing to look at the history of sexual misconduct within our own democratically elected legislature.