Since I arrived in Brazil to study abroad, locals have asked me about the education system in the United States and specifically the UC system. As an education reform activist and a tuition abolitionist, talking about this subject is easy. However, it has not been easy to explain the concept of student debt and the reasons our public university system is not truly public.
Anteaters for Israel (AFI) invited Khaled Abu Toameh to speak about the Israel-Palestinian conflict at UC Irvine last Wednesday. Toameh is an internationally renowned Muslim Arab-Israeli journalist acclaimed for his moderate stance and his intimate experience with the conflict. He spent seven years writing for a Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) newspaper and now works for the Jerusalem Post.
President Barack Obama made his first foreign trip to Canada on Feb. 12. Although the trip wasn't far and may not seem important to the American people, it was well overdue because it is vital for the new administration to pay attention to Canada. America must not only maintain strong foreign relations with our northern neighbor but also work to improve them. The reasons for this are unfortunately often overlooked.
Student movements have been an invaluable mode of social change throughout history. However, it seems that the powerful messages of prior generations have been superseded by cries for attention.
A college in rural Missouri is attempting to remove all books from its school. In an effort to cut costs, Northwest Missouri State is providing students with laptops filled with downloadable versions of required textbooks. Refered to as e-books, they contain all the same information as normal books. Some even have interactive features. I greeted this news with a sigh of relief and a scream of joy. As the world moves to a more digital age, I am typically reluctant to investigate new gizmos and widgets. But this time was an exception. An all-digital book system would be superior to a paper one. Despite the difficulty of the change, the new system is more convenient, more eco-friendly and cheaper.
Ever since he took office, President Barack Obama has been understandably preoccupied with attempting to mitigate the economic recession. With respect to foreign policy, Obama's overused mantra of "Change" actually seemed to mean something concrete; he talked about ending torture, rebuilding America's soft power and speaking to countries with whom America has no diplomatic relations. In examining Obama's foreign policy thus far, especially in the Middle East, it is important to consider whether or not his decisions have meaningfully changed America's course.
Exit stage right, enter stage left. Maybe, just maybe, President Barack Obama reads the New University or at the very least my articles. Just as I was about to write another disappointing review of Obama's hesitance to act boldly, he turns progressive on me.
With every type of business feeling the pains of our struggling economy, the news industry in particular has faced difficulties making ends meet. While print media is already battling the specter of a slow death, it is the smaller, more local newspapers that are having the hardest time staying alive. Just last week, it was reported that San Francisco might lose its primary local newspaper, the San Francisco Chronicle, if its parent company fails to find a buyer, and Denver's Rocky Mountain News published its last issue on Feb. 27.
Suburban Outfitter: Last May, UC Irvine's Fashion Interest Group held its inaugural fashion show featuring four student designers: Teresa Williams, Melanie Lee, Colleen Mohnkern and myself. This spring, we plan to debut our new collections at the Fashion Interest Group's next show.
What's a lady to do in these modern, post-sexual-revolution times? A lady is free to have all the sex that she wants, but the lady is nevertheless always restricted by that which makes her a lady: her fertile womb. Kids are great, but college women might not be up to having and raising them quite yet. Medical technology, fortunately, has advanced past sheepskin condoms and Ye Olde Rhythme Methode. Women can now choose from a litany of options to cheat Mother Nature, many of them not reliant on the cooperation of a partner. Let's review, shall we?
Mad, Bad, & Dangerous to Know: OK guys, prepare yourselves. I have a confession to make. I've been keeping it a secret long enough and I think it's time for me to come clean: I didn't watch this year's Academy Awards.
After spending 39 weeks on The New York Times best-seller list and currently holding the number one spot, one would have to admit that "The Shack" by William Paul Young has swept the nation.
