40 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(02/28/05 6:00am)
I've come to believe that this world has become obsessed with
failure-not simply the failures of others, but of our own
individual failings. Seldom do I hear people rejoice over a
success, especially a personal triumph. So I began to wonder
exactly what it is that constitutes \failure"" and how have we
begun to define it so casually?
(02/21/05 6:00am)
In the past semester I have been privileged enough to be
introduced to a wide array of local artists, ranging from well
publicized local bands like The Profits and Scarlet May, to
individual artists who have simply allowed me to be a part of their
regularly scheduled jam sessions. For many of these musicians,
music is more than mere talent or drive, it's a passion that allows
them to dream of future success on music alone. Such success,
however, is difficult to produce when these artists are not taken
seriously beyond the university's realm.
(02/14/05 6:00am)
Today $13.19 billion will be spent on impractical gifts for the
largest consumer-based holiday of the year-Valentine's Day.
Furthermore, 18- to 24-year-olds will account for much of this
spending, averaging $154.65 each on their partners. The
commercialization and materialism of this so-called holiday is
exemplified by the purchase of primarily disposable gifts like
candy and flowers, which involve little meaning and cause one to
consider why this day has become so important to the average
American.
(02/07/05 6:00am)
New research on the brain completed at the UCLA Lab of
Neurological Imaging suggests development stages of the brain do
not allow for 16 to 19-year-olds to be fully prepared for driving.
In regards to development and restructuring of the brain, the
discovery may be entirely factual, but its relation to driving is
absurd because of all the other known factors for driving mishaps.
Coincidentally, these other explanations shift blame to teenagers
as the number of stereotypes against young drivers continues to
grow.
(01/31/05 6:00am)
Last Tuesday, a federal appeals court revived one of the most
ludicrous lawsuits ever imagined. For the third time, two New York
adolescents will have the chance to make the case that their
obesity is entirely due to McDonald's food selection and
advertising tactics. The case abandons common sense and personal
responsibility altogether and offers the possibility for frivolous
activity to take place within U.S. courts.
(01/24/05 6:00am)
It is difficult enough to find a reliable role model these days,
but for those of us looking to celebrities for inspiration, it is
nearly impossible. A number of recent events have overshadowed the
noteworthy positive characteristics of a handful of athletes and
artists, as instances of drug use, profanity and vulgar antics
continue to rise to the surface. The build-up of such incidents has
led to the punishment of many celebrities, but where does that
leave the fans?
(12/07/04 6:00am)
As a college student, I understand the demands of classes, work
and other outside commitments that can consume our lives. After a
hard week involving all of these tribulations sometimes the thing
we need most, but most often ignore, is the chance to go to church.
Living with my family back home, church was labeled as a necessity,
even if attending only happened once or twice a month. But that
number has changed to twice a year, if that. However, a new
institution, \The Journey,"" or officially Madison Metro Foursquare
Church, has made an effort to change that for students across
campus.
(11/23/04 6:00am)
I would like to think of the UW-Madison campus as a relatively
safe place. Even though we were ranked the third best party school
in the nation, I never felt our association with these social
activities posed a threat to students. Jason Gratzl changed that
earlier this fall when he fell from a balcony, and while he remains
hospitalized and in fair condition, he quite likely will never live
the life for which he had previously hoped. Following Gratzl's tale
and the estimated 1,400 like it that occur every year, there
remains only one way to stop this dangerous trend: know your limits
and stick to them.
(11/16/04 6:00am)
Hold back the tears. I've been telling myself this since the
first week of the semester and yet the stress seems inevitable.
However, I have come to realize I am far from alone in this
respect. Just in the last week I have witnessed the intensifying
stress surrounding students, whether it was my friend feeling
assured he had aced an exam before finding out he received a C, a
classmate commenting about her steadily declining GPA, or a
stranger on the street crying to her mother on her cell phone
because her professor disliked her presentation. Some would say
these incidents are a symptom of midterm anxiety or lack of effort,
but on the contrary, it appears even whole-hearted exertion and
perfection will only earn the average grade.
(11/09/04 6:00am)
Earlier this semester, I was warned in two of my classes about
serious current environmental issues. While I consider myself an
earth-conscious citizen, I didn't realize how truly environmentally
unaware I was. An important concern brought to my attention was
dangerously increasing smog in cities like Madison, due to a
steadily growing and careless population. The level of local
pollution became significantly more apparent to me when my
astronomy professor assigned an observing exercise and recommended
rural viewing to avoid the smog of the inner city.
(11/05/04 6:00am)
Just recently, my cousin was on her way to a midterm exam when
she was viciously con- fronted by a homeless woman. Because we live
on West Johnson Street, a one-way street, my cousin often takes her
moped down the sidewalk to find a more convenient path to work and
classes. This time, my cousin drew close to two homeless bystanders
and asked them kindly if they might move slightly so she could get
through. Instead of agreeing to these simple terms, the female she
had questioned gripped the handlebars of the moped, refusing to let
my cousin move, and stated that if she had been hit, she would have
sued.
(10/26/04 6:00am)
Recently, the Chiron Corporation notified the United States and
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it would not be
able to provide its promised flu vaccine supply to millions of
expecting citizens. Due to contamination, the company's license was
suspended for three months, preventing at least half of the
anticipated vaccine from reaching American citizens in time for flu
season. Rightly so, this dilemma has caused quite an uproar
nationwide as the chance for protection against the illness becomes
less of a certainty.
(10/12/04 6:00am)
I just recently purchased some tickets online for a Bucks' game.
The purchase was followed by a phone call indicating my debit card
was invalid. This phone call then led to an hour of shocking
conversation between my bank and their fraud prevention service who
politely informed me I had been the victim of identity
fraud.
(10/05/04 6:00am)
It seems almost everything these days revolves around the
low-carb craze. Businesses have attempted to stay afloat by
creating Atkins-friendly products to meet the needs of a society
obsessed with quick weight loss schemes. Beside the general
pressure of society to be thin and beautiful-as if that isn't
enough-it is almost impossible to ignore the subtle yet constant
hints from restaurants, grocery stores, commercials and
advertisements that make this diet seem like the norm, rather than
an option.
(09/28/04 6:00am)
For many Americans who would love to see the war in Iraq put to
an end, it looks, yet again, as though we will have to wait. It was
reported last Wednesday that a 300-member transportation unit of
the Wisconsin Army National Guard has been ordered to active duty
overseas, effective Oct. 21. The thought of a looming war has
become a deeply divisive issue around the world and, most recently,
a primary issue in our nation's presidential election. Only one of
this year's candidates, John Kerry, holds the most promise in
ending the insurgency in Iraq and bringing our troops home to their
families.
(09/21/04 6:00am)
We have heard the warnings, we sympathize for those negatively
affected, and some of us have even suffered the consequences, so
why have we refused to put an end to music piracy? The fact of the
matter is many of us download free music files without a second
thought because the act has simply become so familiar and ordinary.
The number of people who download has only increased despite
efforts by the Recording Industry Institute of America and some
college campuses to scare students away from the habit. What
explains our continued support of this so-called stealing, despite
all of the attempts of artists, songwriters and production
companies to stop us?
(09/14/04 6:00am)
In light of the anniversary of Sept. 11 this past Saturday, I
was drawn to thoughts of a world at peace. Unfortunately, this
nation and world are neither destined for nor deserving of peace at
the moment. Recent scandals and heartache quickly make it apparent
that although we claim a desire for peace, we have not yet opened
our hearts to welcome its arrival. If you question my negativity on
the issue, perhaps a few reminders will clear the confusion.
(09/07/04 6:00am)
Here we are again: Another year at UW-Madison filled with
football games, parties and-overpriced textbooks? The first week of
school has brought about one very unfortunate reminder: The
students aren't always first. Without a university-affiliated
bookstore on the UW-Madison campus, targeting the specific needs of
students has become a thing of the past.
(04/28/04 6:00am)
Though numerous American casualties from the war in Iraq have
caused us to rethink our position in the fight against terrorism, a
recent death, that of ex-NFL star Pat Tillman, has perhaps served
as the wake-up call we all desperately needed. Described by all who
knew him as bright, tough and brave, it came as no surprise that
Tillman would make the decision to turn down a three-year, $3.6
million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the Army.
This bravery, however, resulted in the ultimate sacrifice, when it
was reported late Friday by military officials that he had been
killed in action.
(03/10/04 6:00am)
Fear: A feeling of anxiety caused by the presence or imminence
of danger, and, most recently, an emotion displayed by students of
UW Madison's southeast residence halls. In light of the assault of
a young woman Jan. 26 in Ogg Hall, as well as the alleged attack
made on a female by her boyfriend, a UW football player, many would
expect a display of concern from UW officials. However, any
security measures taken following the recent events have been
subtle, if evident at all.