Opinion - The Daily Cardinal

OPINION

The UW anthem doesn't represent campus

By Eli Radtke | Oct. 20, 2015

The class clown; not the cool one that has the good jokes or even the one that does stupid stuff that makes everyone laugh. No, I speak of the sub-variety of this personality that sits in the back of the class and has a comment for everything. Someone you want to tell to take a long walk off a short pier, but you know they thrive on any attention. So, you are forced to grind your teeth, smile, and watch as the second hand crawls across the clock face, leisurely strolling towards your freedom.

OPINION

Taylor Swift’s criticism of Apple Music maintains relevancy and validity

By Marisa Bernstein | Oct. 19, 2015

I recently downloaded Apple Music, and let me tell you, I feel like Ryan Seacrest. For nine bucks a month, I can bump Drizzy while I’m runnin’ through the six and croak along to The Weeknd until I can’t feel my face (I’m proud of that joke, let me have it).

OPINION

Breadth requirements stifle education

By Jon Spike and Tim Heinzel | Oct. 19, 2015

As high school seniors search for colleges to apply to, it will be difficult for them to find one that doesn’t have some sort of “general education” or “liberal studies” requirements. The idea that colleges must produce a well-rounded individual by means of mandating breadth in course selection is almost universal. While it would be nice if it was possible to instill knowledge into students by implementing general education requirements, knowledge is something that you have to want to have. After all, it is entirely possible to get through every liberal studies course you take with the grade you want if you memorize enough information and dump it on the exam, or write a good enough essay on a topic you don’t care about. The flaw in mandated liberal education is the idea that forcing students to complete a set of classes will make them acquire and retain a certain set of skills or amount of knowledge.

OPINION

Putting the Apple funds to good use

By Sebastian van Bastelaer | Oct. 18, 2015

Apple Inc. was recently ordered to pay the University of Wisconsin $234 million for infringing on a patent. Although this is far lower than the original reported $862 million, it’s still a substantial sum. Much of the money will presumably go back to the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and be reinvested in research. But why not consider some more fun options.

OPINION

Webb’s comments reignite veteran mental health debates

By Sergey Fedossov and Tom Walsh | Oct. 14, 2015

Last night at the first Democratic debate, we had an opportunity to see what the potential nominees for the Democratic Party’s presidential candidacy were good for, and what their weak points were. Lincoln Chafee, the former governor of Rhode Island, was immediately outed for his spotty party affiliations and records, and was even grilled by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer later on when he planned on ending his “futile” presidential bid. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton each caught flak for their actions, statements and past voting records, but came out without significant damage. Slow-talking Martin O’Malley had the heat turned up on him for his emotional appeals and lack of serious answers regarding the delicate state of Baltimore due to recent civil unrest. However, former Sen. Jim Webb suffered less for his unique stances and speaking style at the hands of debators than he did later at the hands of social media users.

OPINION

Media creates an uneven playing field for Democrats

By Sergey Fedossov | Oct. 14, 2015

As far as I know, there’s no class here at UW that teaches students about current events or day-to-day politics in election cycles, and for good reason.

OPINION

Falling in love with autumn weather

By Cal Weber | Oct. 13, 2015

Break out your Gap coupons and treat yourself to a new jean jacket because fall is officially here.

OPINION

Lawmakers propose anti-transgender bill

By Samantha Wilcox | Oct. 13, 2015

This year has been a year of great progress for the transgender community. Caitlyn Jenner coming out has not only brought positive light to the community, but has also opened the floodgates to the conversation on gender identity and how we, as a society, can be more accommodating for people who fall in different places along the gender spectrum. Education is key when it comes to understanding and conquering equality in transgender issues.

In the wake of recent tragedies, arguments about gun control have become a hot topic.

OPINION

Arguments for gun control fall flat

By Tim Heinzel | Oct. 12, 2015

Arguments over gun control revolve around one of two things: trying to maximize or minimize a certain set of statistics or hoping to establish a specific set of individual rights. Those who attempt to maximize or minimize societal outcomes advance a utilitarian argument; those who advocate for establishing individual rights in relation to gun ownership rely on their own arbitrarily-defined belief system.

OPINION

Stop Internet activism

By Sebastian van Bastelaer | Oct. 11, 2015

This [insert problem] is a big issue that needs to be solved! We need to take real action to make a change in the world!

OPINION

The Japanese constitutional change may lead to an abuse of power

By Have Rin Lee | Oct. 11, 2015

Sept. 19, 2015, added another pivotal moment to Japanese history. Despite the fierce nationwide protests, Japanese parliament led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe passed legislation to allow Japan to participate in international defense operations. This nation was bound in the military peace for a long 70 years after the Allied countries imposed a pacifist constitution after its wartime aggression in 1945. It was to “allow the Japanese military, known as the Self-Defense Forces, to cooperate more closely with the militaries of allies like the United States, by providing logistical support and, in certain circumstances, armed backup in international conflicts,” according to a Sept. 17 article in The New York Times.

OPINION

It's OK to treat yourself to a weekend at home

By Dawn Schueller and Marisa Bernstein | Oct. 11, 2015

Recently, I spent a night doing the following: I came home from a long day of classes, did some online shopping, made myself some dinner, finished up some homework assignments and was in bed by 11 p.m. Pretty standard weeknight right? That is if this scenario had occurred on a weeknight. But, my fellow Badgers, this was on a Friday.

CAMPUS NEWS

The rise of collegiate Quidditch

By Ben Miller | Oct. 7, 2015

It’s an overcast Sunday morning in Madison’s Brittingham Park. Out of the calm atmosphere comes a loud, “Brooms up!” Two hordes of college students charge each other at full speed with narrow PVC pipes between their legs. Dodgeballs whiz through the air. Juking out opponents left and right, one player throws a volleyball through a large hoop as his team celebrates their score.

CAMPUS NEWS

Flu shots are vital in keeping campus healthy

By Matt Fox and Sarah van Orman | Oct. 7, 2015

Sneezing and sniffling classmates, germy doorknobs, public restrooms—it feels like getting sick is impossible to avoid. Each year, influenza affects the campus community and students miss significant amounts of class time and work. To limit the effects of the flu on the student population, University Health Services (UHS) offers a flu shot, free of charge, to every UW-Madison student through November 20.

OPINION

Think, before you Uber

By Jon Spike and Samantha Wilcox | Oct. 6, 2015

In recent years, the taxi industry has been taken by storm by newcomers such as Uber and Lyft. With their user-friendly apps, strong customer service and cult following among youth, these companies seem like the wave of the future when it comes to getting from Point A to Point B. However, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to these companies, and maybe you should second-guess your decision on how you’re going to get to that party before you call Uber.

OPINION

Abortion laws need to consider the mother

By Hae Rin Lee | Oct. 6, 2015

I am a Christian, but I support abortion. As a kid, I was taught to value lives with great care and dignity—any form of taking away lives was forbidden. One example of taking away life is abortion. It certainly is a great deal of torment to watch this helpless life end without having a chance to stand in this world, but it is also a painfully complicated issue for others as well. Because abortion is not all about the death of a baby before birth. It is a great tragedy for all parties involved in the process of conception and process of controlling the fate of the potential life.

OPINION

Catholic Church struggles to retain LGBT-supporting millennials

By Jack Kelly | Oct. 5, 2015

A historic and highly controversial event occurred on Saturday, Oct. 2: Monsignor Krysztof Olaf Charamsa, a Polish priest who served with the Vatican’s doctrinal arm, was released from his duties within the Vatican. This dismissal came following Charamsa’s public announcement of his homosexuality.

OPINION

Property owners should be able to exercise control

By Tim Heinzel | Oct. 5, 2015

Giving private businesses the right to “discriminate” (control who they conduct business with) isn’t about discrimination—it’s about private property rights. Fighting for social justice, equality, and tolerance is a very noble cause, but there comes a point when passing legislation to attempt to make things right actually makes things wrong.

CAMPUS NEWS

How labels ruined my Greek experience

By Marisa Bernstein | Oct. 5, 2015

Congratulations! You have all survived the beginning of another school year at UW-Madison. For freshmen, that meant waiting in line until your calf-high sock tan lines fade just to board the elevator on move-in day. For others, it meant lingering on that treacherous intersection on Charter Street to see if you could score some free tuition. And, for some, the new school year meant Greek recruitment.

OPINION

Understanding the plight of a left-handed individual

By Cal Weber | Oct. 4, 2015

I’ve always been pretty average. I’m a white, middle-class male, maybe a little taller than most people. But I am special in one way. I’m one of the 10 percent of people in the world who are left handed, and let me tell you, it sucks. You know how Madonna said that she is a “Material Girl” living in a “material world?” Well, I’m a left-handed boy living in a right handed-world; we are the 10 percent.