Opinion

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Letter to the Editor: Union Initiative in need of Design Committee

 For the next 28 years, every UW-Madison student will pay $96 per semester, totaling about $800 to $1,000 per education, for a new Union South and for Memorial Union renovations. Cumulatively, the students' contribution to the Union project amounts to nearly $100 million, not including tens of millions of additional dollars in interest payments on the bonds necessary to finance construction.

New student vote on ALRC deserved

We urge both the ALRC and the full Common Council to support the student voting seat proposed by Ald. Bryon Eagon, with the Organizational Committee already giving their approval. A student perspective would help the ALRC craft policies that reflect student safety concerns and the realities of UW-Madison student life, being neither a rubber stamp nor an impediment to practical solutions for a thriving downtown.Thousands of students use alcohol legally and responsibly in Madison every week, it is long past time for their views to be fully heard.

Second Amendment rights must be preserved

As October is upon us, the start of the gun-hunting season is as well. Hunting has a rich history throughout our nation and state. Hunting is not only a recreational activity enjoyed by millions of Americans, but it is also an example of our guaranteed right to bear arms. ""A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed"" is clearly etched into the Constitution, guaranteeing gun rights for every American.

Environmental course could benefit freshmen

Within the last 20 years, the need for environmental awareness and the topic itself have grown significantly worldwide. Such a trend can be seen throughout the United States with the growth of alternative energy industries such as wind, hydro and biomass and a general spark of public interest in vital environmental issues such as global warming.

Brazil's enthusiasm makes Rio more deserving of the games

When Jacques Rogge announced Rio de Janeiro as the host city of the 2016 Olympics, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva burst into tears. President Obama was on his flight back to D.C. And you, were in shock.

Rejection of Chicago unjustified

Hopefully the Euro-centric, commie-infested, elitist International Olympic Committee gets what's coming to ‘em.

Obama should take a cue from Bush on Iran

Not the time for Peace Park redesign

 Plans to renovate Peace Park on State Street may sound appealing, but the estimated $1,000,000 price tag comes at a time when we should be tightening our expenditures as a city. Expenses that would not draw significant jobs or economic activity to Madison should be scrutinized, not rubber-stamped. From a new police training facility to the Edgewater development to a new central library branch, the city is currently staring down plenty of more beneficial multimillion-dollar projects.

Letter to the Editor: Breakdown in communication not political

 While it is true that Walter Ellis' sample appears to have been taken from the wrong inmate by the Department of Corrections over 8 years ago, it is not true that the samples which the DNA Databank does not have but should have under the law is due to ""mismatches"" or ""incorrect filing."" Nor are they ""missing,"" as that term is commonly used. All indications are that the samples were never collected or sent to the DNA Databank in the first instance.

Manning fails to represent students

It's been a little over a year since we tepidly endorsed then-candidate Wyndham Manning for Dane County Supervisor of the 5th District. It was a decision made with a certain amount of reserve and precaution—one that was not made without considerable skepticism of Manning's ability to perform and execute in the position of supervisor and adequately represent the student voice. During his year in office, Manning has done little to challenge the low bar that was set for him, and his awkward and secretive announcement to not seek re-election only validated our earlier preoccupations with endorsing him.

Human experience gets lost in translation

Contrary to popular belief, the end of human kind will not come suddenly, taking the shape of a mushroom cloud in the red sky. The destruction of society is already underway, and you can see it at the library, in lecture halls, on Bascom hill, walking Charter Street and in State Street cafés.

YouTube merger can enhance online content

 After a lively debate about musical prodigies, I wanted to show someone a quality recording of the Jackson Five's ""I'll Be There"" on YouTube as some evidence of undeniable talent. Then a red ribbon popped up to my dismay, saying, ""This video has been removed due to copyright violation.""

Seek to raise awareness about domestic violence

This week The Daily Cardinal is introducing a new series called the Student Organization Neighborhood. Biweekly we will be inviting contributions from various student groups across campus, advocating for issues important to their mission. Our first editorial comes courtesy of Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment, in anticipation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Look for further editorials from other organizations in the coming weeks.

Loss of DNA samples shows incompetence

Up to 3,000 convicted felons who perhaps should still legally be in prison may be wandering the streets of Wisconsin. That's a comforting thought, isn't it?

Wisconsin should weigh nuclear power option

Most Wisconsinites have never thought to choose between global warming and nuclear power. Today Wisconsin seems to be much more afraid of things heating up than of things melting down. But 26 years ago it was a different fear that kept environmental studies professors awake at night.

Unpopular SSFC Decision Tolerable

There are few organizations on campus that can puzzle students as much as the SSFC. Many people don't even know what it does (allocate a select amount of your segregated fee dollars to various eligible student groups) or for that matter what those letters stand for (Student Services Finance Committee). Those who do know tend to think of it as the most stereotypical of bureaucracies, the kind of group in which jargon is thrown around so often they almost speak a different language and you need to fill out three different forms just to get permission to sneeze (though with the looming threat of swine flu, additional paperwork may be required).

Partner benefits long due at UW

Last Monday saw a long-due celebration for the authorized domestic-partner health insurance benefits at UW-Madison. After years of fierce debates, Gov. Jim Doyle signed the plan into law this summer. This is also seen as a solid move to support education and promote equity.

Vegetarian Day puts new focus on dietary options

Snaking through the crowds, I found myself sitting in front of an ideal gameday brunch: an omelet sprinkled with shredded cheddar, toast and slices of crispy bacon, all washed down with a blueberry milkshake. Then, time to wobble your way to Camp Randall for the second half of a greasy, sweaty day. It's not until now that you start longing for a refreshing bite of tomatoes.

Letter to the Editor: ASM should champion rights of LGBTI community

 As many of you know, there has been a recent outcry over the ASM endorsement for the LGBT Equality March in Washington D.C. Perhaps you didn't know that over 50 student body presidents around the country have endorsed this march already, among them being leaders from UCLA, Princeton, Yale, Cornell, Tufts, Stanford, University of Chicago, University of Minnesota, and American; need I go on?

Focus on humanities all talk, no action

This year we find ourselves in the midst of the university's Year of the Humanities, a series of lectures dedicated to esoteric topics in hopes of increasing visibility of the humanities on campus and to promote the worth of a well- rounded, humanistic education in the job market. A liberal arts education is often composed of a lot of intangibles, but if the university is truly serious about its commitment to a humanistic education and the worth of the humanities to mankind, it needs to commit something more tangible to the cause.