Opinion

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Reinvigorating the primary election

Cardinal View: Soglin slips in tackling homelessness issue

Mayor Paul Soglin, since his landslide reelection victory in April 2015, has once again taken upon himself to address Madison’s homeless problem with rhetoric rather than substantial policy. Over the summer, Mayor Soglin proposed a new city ordinance which would tackle problematic loitering and lodging in Madison’s Central Business District. While not directly mentioning the homeless, the ordinance, which Madison’s Common Council has since voted down, attempted to clear out downtown of individuals whom were causing an undue nuisance to both city residents and the various business of downtown Madison.

Terrorism motivated primarily by perceived injustices, not prejudices

In response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, President George W. Bush promptly declared that the attacks were motivated by a hatred for “our freedoms” —particularly our freedoms of religion and speech. All of the evidence appears to point to a completely different idea. Terrorists did not attack us on 9/11 because they hated our freedom or were commanded by their religion. They attacked the World Trade Centers in order to get revenge for American actions they perceived to be injustices.

Rethinking Putin's Russian government

Patriotism. A word that inspires hope, respect and a willingness to forever defend one’s nation.

The European Union needs restructuring

Debt. Unemployment. Banking. Refugees. The list of words that preface “crisis” in Europe could go on for days.

Factory-made costumes are taking over Halloween spirit

Saturday night, the streets were filled with ghouls, ghosts and other garish creatures of the more unnerving persuasion. Classics enjoyed by many generations made their appearance as well, monsters like Frankenstein (Yes I know technically it’s Frankenstein’s monster), werewolves and all forms of vampire. And of course, the slutty nurse, cats that if they were cats would have no fur and professions clearly depicted with less clothing than usual. All these and more haunted the streets this weekend, revealing without a care by the light of the October moon, their visages magical and mysterious in the moonlight, titillating and enticing.

How to make your schedule work for you next semester

Enrollment can be a stressful time for us students. Especially when there seems to be an overwhelming number of requirements that we must fulfill in order to graduate. With enrollment for next semester right around the corner, it is a good time to start thinking and planning ahead to make your schedule work for you. Doing more of what you want is entirely possible, even with taking prerequisite courses and fulfilling requirements. All it takes is a little forethought, future planning, a positive attitude and an open mind.

Southeastern Asia threatened by fires

Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia are literally choking under a thick haze of wildfire smoke caused by the yearly burning of forests for the production of pulp, paper and palm oil on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia. The smoky haze that has engulfed these nations had been described by the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics as a “crime against humanity.” Schools have been closed, roadways shut down and half a million cases of acute respiratory infection have been reported since July.

Letter to the editor: Sports teach women leadership skills

My fifth-grade classmate Mary Beth was one of the nicest people in our school. But playing against her in the girls’ basketball league, I found her incredibly intimidating. This was not the NBA.

Philosophy is the key to unlocking life's most-asked questions

It is so easy to lose the purpose of living in this world—feeling confused on what I should be, or want to do. In third grade, I was walking home from school in the late afternoon, looking at the orange sunset spread over the sky, and I wondered, “Why was I born? How is this world structured?” I thought that in order to understand what I should be doing, I need to understand the purpose of this world, how it is made and what it is made for.

Affordable college critical in bolstering economy and further generations

As current college students know, a college diploma is just about mandatory to succeed in the highly competitive job market after graduation. However, obtaining that diploma is an extremely costly task. It costs nearly $25,000 for Wisconsin residents to attend UW-Madison each year, with tuition for out-of-state students soaring to nearly $45,000. Under the current system for higher education, families either have to save for decades or plunge into the black hole of student loans to afford the cost of a college education. However, during this current election cycle, candidates are batting around the idea of a free public college education for students. This would not only alleviate the financial and emotional stress from millions of families across the country, but would also jump-start the American economy.

Routine is the bane of academic success

Everyone’s had a dragged-out Sunday at College Library. A stack of empty paper coffee cups. Bags of sour gummy worms forming a pile. A mountain of unfinished work. I often find myself stuck in this all-too familiar scene until the walls blend into the floor and my reading comprehension abilities are put into question. When I finally make my escape, it is not without a pledge that Helen and I will meet again next Sunday to repeat the same mundane production.

Debate needs to return to its origins

Let’s get something clear. Being opposed to same-sex marriage does not make you homophobic. Being opposed to abortion does not mean you hate women.

Russia under the microscope in Syria

Russian warplanes in Western Syria have carried out several airstrikes that are believed to have killed dozens of civilians.

Eliminating net neutrality is a priority

At first glance, net neutrality seems like a great idea. It proclaims to keep the Internet free, equal and void of discrimination. Freedom, equality and anti-discrimination certainly are important American principles, but they are meant to be applied to citizens’ relationship with government, not citizens’ relationship with private businesses. Internet access is not a right, and all of the intricacies and stipulations of the service should be left up to the Internet company and its customers.

Expansion of eminent domain hits home

The true foundation of republican government is the equal right of every citizen in his person and property and in their management,” Thomas Jefferson said.

Too many cell phones detract from everyone’s concertgoing experience

It was a crisp October evening in Madison; the leaves were beautiful and the weather was perfect for a warm sweater. I was feeling content, walking down the street towards the glowing sign of the Majestic Theater, visions of the concert to come being entertained in my imagination, as my friends and I enjoyed the warmth of our alcohol blankets. With a few ‘pardon mes’ and only a couple ‘watch it bubs,’ we made our way into a decent position and began to cheer as the lights dimmed. That’s when the crowd began to glow.

The harsh reality of the freshman 15

Every incoming freshman is told of the horrors of the freshman 15. Even the utterance of its name is enough to strike fear in the hearts of us all. Most people have a plan coming in to avoid the abominable phenomenon. Upon arriving on campus, however, it’s quickly become apparent that eluding the freshman 15’s grip is easier said than done. 

South Korea’s history is getting standardized

Oct. 12, South Korea decided to implement a new nationalized Korean history textbook starting in 2017. As a South Korean and a history major, this is one of the most shameful downplays of historical study. This textbook applies to all South Korean public institutions from elementary to high schools. George Orwell emphasized the importance of history itself: “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” History has to be studied and narrated by different sources and viewpoints; if not, then we will only harvest unripe and foul misunderstandings.

Peer pressure is an unspoken danger to students on college campuses

Irecently came across a quote saying “don’t choose being ‘cool’ because it doesn’t mean anything outside of high school.” My knee-jerk reaction was “what a load of crap.” Middle school and high school were overwhelming when it came to peer pressure. Not only were you trying to figure yourself out, but so was everybody else and the melting pot of moldable identities did not really aid you in finding your own. However, after four years of college, I can say that college is just a more expensive version of high school, boiling over with even more peer pressure than ever before.