Opinion

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor: I attended American University's Freshmen Day on Friday. Currently, I am a high school senior in Bel Air, Md., and will soon be an Eagle. I found AU to be one of the most interesting and vibrant campuses I have visited. However, I do have to say that I have never seen so many Polo shirt-clad, pearl-wearing girls anywhere in one place.

Opinion: Middle East peace a complicated process

Recent advances in the Middle East spark feelings of hope. Six months ago, no one could have imagined the current situation in the Middle East. On many different fronts, leaders are beginning to resume discussions and relations that have been damaged over the past few years of violence.

Corrections and clarifications

In the April 14 edition of The Eagle, a front-page article failed to clarify that attendance at Pura Vida's presentation on campus was by invitation only. As a result, statements in the article by GA member Andrew Mullin as well as a posting in the Editorial Page's "All Thumbs" feature were based on the incorrect assumption that student attendance at the presentation was poor.

Opinion: Palestinians must teach children peace

There is cause for optimism for those monitoring progress in the Middle East. A new era led by a movement toward democracy is gripping the region, and we should all approach this new era with a profound sense of hope. Entrenched in this optimism, however, lingers some of the skepticism of the past.

Opinion: GA criticisms misinformed, misguided

I am happy to see that there are so many students passionately involved in the Pure Vida/Starbucks debate. At the same time, I am dismayed by the most vocal students: those who came to the GA at the last minute and tried to force us to side with them. The GA did have enough sense, because of one member's suggestion, to delay deciding for a few days.

All thumbs

Thumbs up Artemas Ward Festival ... This year's Ward Festival, held last week, featured a series of fun and interesting events, from John Edwards' speech to the Grill on the Green. Good job to the SC for organizing it. 'Night at the Apollo' ... This event, sponsored by FLY, took place in the Tavern on Saturday night, and featured poetry, song and other fun events.

Opinion: Meat-eating event mocks grave issue

On March 18, 600 AU community members pledged to be vegetarian and helped raise more than $120 to help animals rescued from abusive homes. Some made the decision to participate for one day, some for the rest of their lives. Either way, these individuals took this step because they know that a vegetarian diet saves human lives, animal lives and the environment.

Opinion: D.C. a valuable resource

Some students refer to it as an abroad program, others consider it a semester college-swap program, and some refer to its official title, The Washington Semester Program at American University. But no matter what you call it, I know it has changed me forever.

Letter to the editor

Dear Editor: In the April 14 issue of The Eagle on Page 4, there is an editorial called "Remembrance Week: never forget." I have no beef with this article and completely agree with its content and message. The only problem I have is that this article mentioned every genocide of the 20th century except the first genocide of the 20th century, the Armenian genocide.

Staff editorial: 2005 SC Grades

Each year following the SC transition ceremony, The Eagle grades outgoing SC executives and departments on their performance over the past year. Unlike many AU professors, The Eagle does not inflate grades - that is: A = excellent, B = above average, C = average, D = below average, F = failing.

'Christian' not a stance

As much as some on the left and in the mainstream media rail against religion looking twice at politics, they sure don't mind mixing the two when it serves their goals, namely the death of the pope. Now that the conservative stumbling block those devout Catholics labeled John Paul is gone, many are hoping that the church will make a left turn and follow Europe down the wide road.

Opinion: Signs of bigotry lurk on AU campus

April 14, 2005: I walked into the McKinley Building Room 207 at around 6:45 p.m., looking for a quiet area to peacefully finalize my presentation on Angola due about a week later. I placed a chair close to the door so that, should I fall asleep, no one would enter the room without making enough noise to wake me up.

Comics

Poverty: a common foe

Every Tuesday and Friday afternoon I drive by the White House, the U.S. Capitol, opulent embassies and sprawling, grand residences in order to make my way to a low-income housing development in Southeast D.C. The tragic irony of the location's vantage point is that it provides some of the best views of the city from within the city.

Staff editorial: Remembrance week: never forget

This week is the third annual remembrance of the Holocaust observed at American University. Throughout the week there will be many events to commemorate one of the worst travesties in history. Names of victims will be read, and a survivor of the Holocaust will speak to students.

Opinion: GA reps respond to last issue's Eagle editorials

Mike Crowley and Emily Freifeld Despite what some members of the General Assembly think, we are not omnipotent and all-knowing. In order to deal with the problems and concerns of our constituents, we must be well-informed and given plenty of time. However, this was not the case recently.

Letter to the editor

Dear Editor: The Eagle's staff editorial titled "Bible Should Skip Class," although characteristic for an AU Eagle editorial, laden with rhetoric and stock language, really does not make an effective argument against teaching creationism in schools. Evolutionists, more times than not, find themselves left of center on the political spectrum, and with this comes a typical liberal need for being accepting of other perspectives.