Opinion

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Cardinal View: UWPD misses the mark on crime

Last week, a list of safety tips originally entitled “Shedding the Victim Persona: Staying Safe on Campus” was published by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department. The list swiftly attracted national attention after a front-page post on Jezebel, a blog-style website aimed at women’s interests, slammed UWPD for using victim-blaming language. Among pointers like “don’t travel alone,” “travel on well-lit paths,” “pre-plan” and “drink responsibly”—suggestions commonly featured in similar lists about campus safety—were more aggressively worded tips such as “If you present yourself as easy prey, then expect to attract some wolves;” “Be a hard target—a victim looks like a victim!” and “The right attitude is ‘I won’t let it happen to me!’” 

Civic activism is the Wisconsin way

Not long ago, I was sitting with three of my roommates, as roommates do, watching football.  At one point there was a stoppage of play and the game went to commercial.   During the break one of my roommates said something to the effect of, “Who is that woman?  I see her on TV all the time.”  The other two then chimed in with similar statements.  The woman on the screen was Mary Burke, who, for those of you like my roommates, is Wisconsin’s Democratic candidate for governor.  Through a series of borderline Sherlockian deductions it became clear to me that none of them knew who was running against the incumbent Scott Walker.

U.S. inconsistent in promoting democracy and justice

On the surface, the recent efforts by the United States to quash the advance of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) ostensibly demonstrates the degree to which the U.S. is committed to promoting democracy around the world and preventing forced rule by violent demagogues. Undoubtedly, ISIL is a horrendous organization whose designs for establishing a 21st century caliphate have resulted in death and destruction for those deemed unworthy of inclusion in the new Islamic state. The United States is right to denounce ISIL regardless of whether or not the current military engagement with the group proves to be effective in the long run. However, the fight against ISIL serves to remind us of a major discrepancy in American foreign policy. Even though it posits itself as a champion of democracy and justice around the world, the United States has shown time and again that it’s more than willing to support thoroughly undemocratic countries when doing so satisfies its strategic interests.

Supreme Court gay marriage non-ruling brings Wisconsin forward

With the U.S. Supreme Court refusing to hear the seven same-sex marriage cases on their docket, the stays in each of the seven states were lifted, effectively legalizing gay marriage in Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia, Indiana and Wisconsin. Ever since a Wisconsin constitutional amendment which stated, “Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid ... as  a marriage in this,” was approved by voters in 2006, gay marriage has been illegal in Wisconsin. This stood until 2014, when the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against Gov. Scott Walker challenging the amendment. It was ruled that the ban was unconstitutional. The state appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, where Oct. 6 they denied review of the case. The right to marry is a fundamental right that has been denied to same-sex couples. Public opinion has shifted in Wisconsin, with 55 percent in favor of same-sex marriage, so the opinion that approved the amendment is not even relevant anymore. With the Supreme Court’s statement, Gov. Walker and Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen are required to accept the circuit court’s decision. As progressivism has been an integral part of this state’s history, the decision only substantiates Wisconsin’s motto: forward. 

Looking at celebrities’ nudes is callous

Today, Vanity Fair released an interview with Jennifer Lawrence where she spoke about the celebrity nude photo leak. This is the first time she has responded publicly to the situation involving an Internet hack that published revealing photos of her and hundreds of other female celebrities Aug. 31 of this year. The victims of the hack were all female with the exception of one male’s photos who were revealed just days ago in the fourth round of hacks. Lawrence spoke with Vanity Fair’s Sam Kashner where she said, “Just because I’m a public figure, just because I’m an actress, does not mean that I asked for this.” She went on to say, “It does not mean that it comes with the territory. It’s my body, and it should be my choice, and the fact that it is not my choice is absolutely disgusting. I can’t believe that we even live in that kind of world. ” 

Appreciate all good music but listen to what you love

After receiving my first CD player and a gift card to a local music store, I was the definition of both a “lost puppy” and a “kid in a candy shop.” There was so much music at my fingertips and I didn’t know what to do with any of it. I went into this music store without any idea of what I wanted and about an hour later, eight-year-old Owen walked out with a Louis Prima CD, still not knowing if he wanted it. 

Supreme Court decision on gay marriage falls short

The United States Supreme Court took an odd step toward marriage equality Monday. Most were anticipating high court to pick up one of the five states’ cases over gay marriage bans. However, none of the cases from Indiana, Oklahoma, Virginia, Utah or Wisconsin were picked up by the court. This means that the appeals court rulings in those states, in favor of gay marriage, stand, effectively granting marriage equality to those states.

Ebola scares continue to be unwarranted

Have you touched the vomit, blood, sweat, saliva, urine or feces of someone who might have the Ebola virus disease? No? Then you do not have Ebola virus disease.

Sexual assault legislation may not lead to future prevention

The sexual assault epidemic occurring on college campuses across the nation is becoming a symbol of moral decline. As a response, many college campuses are adopting their  own unique campaigns in order to prevent further spreading of the violence. 

Common phrase alienates UW students

In our society, there is an ever- increasing sentiment that people should check their privilege in regard to things like race, sex or sexual orientation. This means that when interacting with another person, one should take into account the various ways in which things outside of anyone’s control have affected that person that may or may not apply to others, such as one’s race, sex or sexual orientation.  However, one area I believe is being greatly overlooked in terms of privilege checking is one’s family’s wealth.  

Campus sexual assault deserves no second shot

California recently passed a bill known as the “yes means yes” law, which requires positive affirmation of intent for sexual activities on college campuses. The new law states that silence or a lack of resistance does not constitute confirmation and any sexual activity taking place without consent would therefore be punishable as sexual assault. Furthermore consent can be revoked at any time and the previous affirmation would then be void. Proponents of this law applaud the California Legislature for taking the first step to end victim blaming. Instead of asking the victim if, how and when they said no, the investigation will shift its focus to the accused. This new law serves as a positive example to the rest of the country that it is time to take action against the epidemic of sexual assault on college campuses. But while progress is happening in California, there is troubling news closer to home.

Obama administration receives undue criticism over handling of ISIL threat

Several days ago, President  Barack Obama appeared in an interview with CBS News and admitted that the White House has underestimated what was happening in Syria for months. 

When it comes to exercise, no two bodies are the same

The word exercising is not in my vocabulary. In fact, “let’s get swole” would not be a phrase you’d ever hear me say. I’m all for staying fit and living a healthy lifestyle, but going to the gym would never be my idea of fun. As a five-foot-eight-inch male who is fairly thin, I’ve never had to exercise to keep my shape. My entire family is all relatively skinny so I’ll have to thank my genetics for what I’m working with. “Hey Genetics, is this all you’re giving me? This is how muscular of a person I’ll be? Okay, alright. That’s fine with me.”

Burke must work on expanding outreach

Wisconsin voters would be foolish to fall for Scott Walker’s attempt to make his opponent, former Trek Bicycle CEO Mary Burke, appear incompetent. At this point, the race is still a toss up, but Wisconsin just made history by electing Tammy Baldwin, an out and proud lesbian, to the U.S. Senate in 2012. That’s why, as a realistic socialist and regular optimist, I believe Wisconsin is totally capable of making history again. But the voters have to actually get to the polls, and that requires registering. And while Mary Burke has spent enough of her own money on this campaign, she would be well advised to rely mainly on her speech from now until Election Day. After all, it’s free (usually) and it means a lot more to voters than negative advertisements like a grown man standing in a hole and then somehow blaming her for being stuck in it, as Gov. Scott Walker’s most recent ad does. Walker’s ads are rather creepy, if you catch my drift.

Music critiques lack perspective

Being a fan of rock and roll from the 1960s, I occasionally visit YouTube to listen to albums and songs from the decade. Sometimes during these digital jaunts (and against my better judgment) I make my way over to the comments section to see what my fellow YouTubers have to say about the music. Usually all I find are genuine words of approval towards the music and its creators from die-hard fans, but every now and then I come across a particularly cantankerous individual who has taken the commenting opportunity to bemoan the state of contemporary popular music.

Newest EA Sports games split opinions

HeForShe: Time to act

Population growth and overconsumption require innovative solutions

As our world has entered into the 21st century, the issue of global birth rates are prevalent in both developed and developing nations. According to the demographic transition model, as a nation becomes more industrialized and economically advanced, its birth rate will decline due to the rising costs of living standards and urban living space that discourages making a large family. In one way, the low birth rate could be perceived as a good omen since it shows how advanced and developed the nation has become. The problem rises when couples start to not reproduce enough to replace the previous generation, providing countries with a lack of workforce to sustain their economic legacies. I personally believe we should be concerned about this issue, but should not fear the worst.

Vegetarian meal options remain poor

It is hard to put into words the increasing frustration I felt the three times I went up to the sandwich shop at Gordon’s and asked for a sandwich with tofurky, a tofu based turkey substitute. In response I have heard, “I don’t think we have that”, “Sorry, it’s frozen right now”, and “What is that” and each time I smiled and said nevermind when they asked me if I want something else, but what I would really like to say, more than anything, is,“Then why is it clearly displayed as a choice with all the other meats you serve at least a hundred times a day on a daily basis.”  This in addition to waiting eight minutes for veggie burgers, eating a disproportionate amount of rice bowls, and waiting for the day the vegetarian taco filling actually exists is what many vegetarian students at UW-Madison face when they elect to eat in the dining halls.  

India’s MOM makes it to Mars, cheapest yet

With the news of India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan (Hindi for “Mars-Craft”), successfully taking orbit around Mars, it is clear there is a new technological powerhouse on the horizon.