Opinion

Let's clear up one misconception right now: Whatever the Muslim Student Union wanted to call last week's event, it was not "Palestine Awareness Week."

Norman Finkelstein at the Student Center on Wednesday night? Oh, you know I wouldn't miss this. Anyone who came to Alan Dershowitz's speech earlier this year will remember that the amused speaker held up a political cartoon that Finkelstein had allegedly commissioned.

However, how relevant is growth and placement on snooty lists to the UC's undergraduate community?

The Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks drastically changed American society. National security became the foremost political issue, a new war was started and the nation's consciousness was forever altered. As with all great changes in society, the world of entertainment was also affected.

In his 2008 book "Guilty: Hollywood's Verdict on Arabs after 9/11," author Jack Shaheen argues that despite some recent films depicting Arabs in a more sympathetic light, Hollywood's overall portrayal of Arabs has become increasingly vindictive and detrimental. However, Hollywood's track record in depicting Arabs prior to 9/11 is also cringe-worthy.

According to Time.com, the primary audience obsessed with surgically altering its physical appearance is young adults, particularly in the 18- to 24-year-old range.

Where do we draw the line between church and state? The students at Kentridge High School in Washington don't seem to believe that there should be a line at all.

As if our troops' invasion of Iraq wasn't enough, the Iraqis will soon witness the arrival of the American amusement park. Llewellyn Werner, chairman of C3 in Los Angeles – the same company that developed our renowned neighbor, Disneyland – plans to build the Baghdad Zoo and Entertainment Experience.

The vibrancy that makes iFest commendable also makes the event deafeningly silent on certain issues.

Happy birthday, Israel! You turn 60 years-old this week and my, have you grown!

Clinton/Obama; Fox News; Bill Owens and gambling; Charles Rangel.

Tony Zirkle; rabid fundamentalist pastors; Ron Paul, please save us from your supporters.