COMMENTARY

Changes made by administrators hurt quality of education

This week is Campus Equity Week, and on many university campuses, labor unions and student, faculty and staff organizations are coming together to fight what is perhaps the most pressing issue for higher education: The increased reliance on part-time, adjunct instructors to teach classes. The problem is simple - universities have an obligation to educate their students, and they also have an obligation to maintain financial stability.

COMMENTARY

Bush's campaign promises don't really hold up 3 years later

Uh-oh, it's almost that time of year again. You know, when big, juicy, forgotten promises are brought to the foreground, and President Bush has to start thinking about what he said back in 2000.

SPORTS

No fish tale could outdo Marlins year

Silence was all he heard. As Josh Beckett tagged out Jorge Posada and was lifted into the air in jubilation after his five-hit shutout performance sealed Game 6 and the World Series title for the Florida Marlins on Saturday night, the world stood mute as South Florida ran wild. The world was silenced partially because of shock, but mostly because so many felt wronged. How could this team come from 10 games below .500 after firing a manager earlier in the season and become the champions?

SPORTS

Basketball season will be great

I laughed when someone described Tom Izzo as God. I thought a co-worker was crazy when he referred to the men's basketball media guide as the Bible. Sure, I've heard about the storied history - the national championships, the Big Ten Tournament titles - the list goes on.

FEATURES

Bikers and spitters - beware

So, I'm walking down the sidewalk, swinging my bag, letting my hair become unfashionably slicked-back by the wind, minding my own business on the way to class.And then, like seagull crap pouring from the sky at Cedar Point, a blob of spit hits me right below my cheekbone - a projectile from a quick-to-escape biker.

COMMENTARY

Painted nails simple way to challenge gender stereotypes

As anyone who knows me would agree, I truly am a unique individual filled with lovely quirks. One of which, I must confess, is the fact that I adore adorning my nails with vibrant colors (although only occasionally do they properly match my outfits).When questioned why I do this, my answers might vary.

COMMENTARY

Required classes bog down schedule, not needed for good education

Welcome to college, where you can pursue dreams. Here, leaf through the giant course catalog and let your mouth water over all the classes now accessible to you.

COMMENTARY

Social services run by the man, but 'U' needs to have a say

Have you ever heard of the FTAA? For most of you, this is a brand-new acronym, but one that could affect your life and the lives of the hundreds of millions of people who live in our hemisphere.

COMMENTARY

American-backed Israel not the victim in Palestinian fight

"Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them." If only Albert Einstein were here, he would tell the world that the crisis in the Middle East will not be resolved in the same fashion that it was started.

FEATURES

top 10 Money songs

This past weekend I saw, in person, the new watermarked $20 bill for the first time and it creeped me out.

COMMENTARY

Ordinance designed to improve city, not single out students

We share The State News editorial board's sentiment that it would have been wonderful to have had a better turnout at the forum planned by ASMSU on Oct.

COMMENTARY

Money, not always qualifications, key to occupying Oval Office

Do you remember being in grade school and having the teacher ask the class what they wanted to be when they grew up?

COMMENTARY

Debate over pledge from a Catholic school girl perspective

After what feels like years of speculation and heated debate, the U.S. Supreme Court finally has agreed to decide on the fate of the Pledge of Allegiance.

COMMENTARY

There's a drink to subdue every bad decision Bush makes

For some time now, I've been searching for an effective stress reliever to combat my disgust with the ineptitude, dishonesty, arrogance and radical agenda of the Bush administration.

COMMENTARY

There's enough homophobia in the world; no need for fliers

This past Wednesday, the second annual Act Out was organized as part of National Coming Out Days. As various people stood around campus in dark clothing, slurs taped on their chests and backs and made up to look as if they had been beaten up, the message the event sent out was a simple, but very important, one: Hate words lead to hate crimes.

FEATURES

HBO has a hit with compelling, dark 'Carnivále'

If you haven't caught HBO's new Sunday night series "Carnivále," you're missing out on one of the most thought-provoking, entertaining television shows on cable TV. While most people get together on Thursdays to watch big money-makers such as "Friends" or "ER," my friends and I save our television time for Sunday evenings.

COMMENTARY

Quality education comes when parents choose the school

How do you prove that your school system is fine and that choice isn't needed? Cancel classes for a day, impede student learning and engage in a shameful political protest at the Capitol.

COMMENTARY

Spoof's on you, voters of California's gubernatorial election

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Arnold "The Austrian Oak" Schwarzenegger has been named California's new governor, another ready-made politician with virtually no relevant political experience, save for the parodies of fighting "crazy terrorists killers" in the Hollywood action thriller "Collateral Damage" and vilifying an Arab population in "True Lies." Normally, I would lament upon the horrific state of public elections and the overwhelming ignorance of most voters, but because I believe that no amount of political fervor and effort will ever reverse this trend of apathy, I won't.

SPORTS

Violence, AL has no place in playoff baseball

Please note: This is a work of complete fiction. The scene is two months from now, Atlantic City.

COMMENTARY

Finding a middle ground still allows people to be individuals

How would you feel if you were being taught by a homosexual pastor who struggled with alcoholism? It might seem like a strange question, but it is extremely pertinent to today's culture and beliefs about tolerance.