Opinion

Universe holds key to global progress

Space exploration is no longer an unattainable fantasy relegated to science fiction. It has become one of the most important issues of our time, and it will continue to be so indefinitely. NASA recently unveiled its newest long-term plans, which include a return to the moon by 2020 with the intent to develop a base there shortly afterward, as well as manned missions to Mars.

Editorial Cartoon

Exercise your right to run at Jacobs

Democracy has rules. Democracy only works if people follow rules. It does not work if people cheat - if there are ballot stuffers, chronic disenfranchisement of minorities or an electoral college, for example. The AU gym is a democracy. As in other democracies, there are limited resources, and there is a system for deciding who has access to which resources at which time.

LGBT survey misleading

Although it is disappointing to hear AU scored 3.5 of a possible five stars on Campus Pride's "Campus Climate Index," a survey of 104 schools' friendliness toward gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender students, a closer look demonstrates that AU is more inclusive than the numbers suggest.

Wounded veterans

With conflicts drawing more Americans into active duty overseas, colleges must now plan services aimed at returning veterans. Many of these veterans are just looking for a good education and simple campus life. But, with 270,000 soldiers enrolled in colleges under the GI Bill, it is disturbing that wounded veterans are not eligible for the same aid as soldiers returning from active duty.

Ethanol: The cure for global warming

Leftist NGOs like Rainforest Action Network and Food First are sounding the alarm on ethanol, claiming that it will increase greenhouse gas emissions and starve millions of people. They are correct regarding corn-derived ethanol. Industrial corn production in the United States is inefficient and causes topsoil loss and groundwater depletion.

Letters to the Editor

Columbus editorial incomplete I'm not sure who wrote the "Move Over, Columbus" editorial in your Monday edition, but I'm going to say they have no idea what they're talking about. As a member of the Undergraduate Senate, I voted on the resolution, and what was in The Eagle can't be any further then the truth.

Corrections

In "Fighting AIDS," Ravenna Motil-McGuire was misidentified as a sophomore in the School of International Service. She is a junior and the director of HIV/AIDS Outreach for Women's Initiative.

Move over, Columbus

The SG's resolution in favor of adding Indigenous Peoples Day to the university calendar along with Columbus Day signals a noble effort to recognize the trauma colonialism caused to native peoples. The AU club Student Advocates for Native Communities supported the resolution, which asks the university to recognize both holidays on the second Monday of October.

Farm Bill transcends partisan politics

Partisan fires are raging in Washington. From war to children's health care, the rich histories of liberalism and conservatism grind against each other. In our pluralist society, each camp is compelled to calibrate its philosophical compass to court public approval, translating the wisdom of Thomas Paine or Edmund Burke into coherent platforms.

Correction for Oct. 4, 2007

In "Speech ends Breastival," it was not included that Elizabeth Edwards' speech was presented by the Kennedy Political Union and co-sponsored by Women's Initiative and the Women and Politics Institute.

'Teach for the ability to make a change'

A couple of weeks ago, I returned to Washington, D.C., while the New York City schools had off for Rosh Hashanah. I just got on the AU shuttle to meet up with some friends and old professors outside of Katzen when I heard a conversation between two young women.

AU Fights AIDS!

AU Fights AIDS!, an organization founded and managed by two Women's Initiative members, did an excellent job this weekend bringing various campus organizations together for the AIDS Walk Washington, an event started in 1987 that was designed to heighten awareness of the deadly disease.

Editorial cartoon

Hillary Clinton: GOP's best bet

This is an open letter to all Democrats of voting age. I am a young, optimistic member of the Republican Party. I disagree with your party on most issues, and though I recognize the importance of working together, all things considered, I would rather have one of my candidates in the White House than one of yours.

Editorial cartoon

Editor's note

Due to an unforeseen conflict of interest, the biweekly column "What a Travesty" by Travis McArthur will now appear monthly and focus on issues related to D.C. politics.