Opinion

---

Schools must teach proven science in schools

Last week, the Tennessee legislature signed a bill into law allowing school teachers to bring in supplemental theories and textbooks to address controversies in existing science and to entertain unscientific debate in the classroom, all under the guise of "encouraging critical thinking" among schoolchildren. This deplorable bill was scripted by the state’s Republican lawmakers with help from the Discovery Institute, an organization known for its championing ‘Intelligent Design’ as an alternative to Darwinian evolution by natural selection.

Offering winter classes will help students

Last week, UW-Madison students received an e-mail with a survey from the Division of Continuing Studies regarding the possibility of UW-Madison implementing winter break classes. The plan consists of “offering a selection of in-person and online courses for one-to-three credits during the three weeks prior to the start of the spring semester.” For example, a three-credit course would meet roughly three hours a day every weekday for three weeks, and the tuition costs for the classes would be in addition to fall and spring tuition charges.

Taxation of income a moral hazard

Profits, self-policing can save Mifflin

Compared to the 2009 and 2010 Mifflin Street block parties, which were hazily remembered but mostly calm affairs, last year’s celebration was out of control. Although there were fewer arrests last year than in 2010, there were more than 20 trips to detox, three injured officers, three sexual assaults and two stabbings. I love reveling alongside my fellow students but Mifflin needs to be a party where everyone can go have fun and not get stabbed, so some changes need to be made.

Letter: Buffett Rule hurts investment, U.S. competitiveness

I am writing in response to the recent article “Buffet Rule makes the super rich pay their fair share.”

State GOP lacks transparency, honesty

For the great majority of my life, I do not remember Wisconsin being the nationally funded political free-for-all it is now. Ever since the state Republican Party came to power the relative peace has fallen apart.

Look beyond Buffett Rule to fix nation's financial woes

Next November’s elections will feature a fight for Sen. Herb Kohl’s, D-Wis., seat in the United State’s senate. The Democratic candidate will be Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and one of the biggest names on the Republican side is Tommy Thompson, former four-term governor of Wisconsin.

Buffet Rule makes the super rich pay their fair share

With presidential elections looming near in the future, the candidates are buckling down and getting serious about their campaigns. President Barack Obama has recently been pushing his plans for the Buffett Rule, a tax system he plans to enact if he is reelected. The Buffett Rule is simplistic in nature: the wealthiest one percent of the nation should pay at least the same tax rate as those in the middle class. Its name comes from the famous Warren Buffett, an extremely wealthy investor who admits he pays a lower percentage of income taxes than his secretary.

Barrett best candidate for governor

As the state gets gears up for what is sure to be an exciting recall election in the coming months I sit here wondering who I will be supporting. Fighting the urge to just go along with whoever my roommate, a political science major, chooses, I decided to do a bit of research.

Walker signs laws deserving of his recall

After the announcement of the June 5 gubernatorial recall election, Wisconsin voters may have a few more reasons to be upset with Gov. Scott Walker. Although I have felt indifferent and even somewhat annoyed by the recall talk throughout the state, recent legislation signed by Walker in secrecy throughout the past week has made me think otherwise.

Walker intrudes in the doctor's office

While the state of Wisconsin was enjoying the long Easter weekend, Gov. Walker quietly signed into legislation a duo of anti-abortion bills. The purpose of these bills is to make it harder for women to access abortion services, while ensuring that the events in the examining room are scripted and orchestrated by the government.

Act 162 improves the health of citizens

Letter: ASM members empowered to fight student debt

Ron Paul is key to GOP survival

It’s no secret anymore that the GOP has been in a major identity crisis since the utter catastrophe that was George W. Bush’s presidency. With Congressman Ron Paul’s visit to UW-Madison I feel it’s the perfect time to comment on not only Paul, but also with the very character of the Republican Party itself.

Letter: Restore liberty, support Ron Paul

Homeless Hotspots a good start to a generous program

ASM misused money to protest in D.C.

Magnino for Dane County Board

Youth vote matters in GOP primary

As many Wisconsin residents and UW-Madison students are aware of by now, U.S. representative and presidential hopeful Ron Paul will visit the Madison community this Thursday for a town hall-style event at the UW-Madison Stock Pavilion.

Misfire of Justice

The recent shooting of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman has grabbed the country in rapt attention, especially because the perpetrator of the killing has not been detained yet. This is because Florida’s ‘Stand your ground’ law grants immunity to people who have used deadly force in their own defense. The lack of substantial witnesses in this case has also compounded the applications of the law, because there is no concrete evidence proving Zimmerman was not acting in self- defense. A similar incident occurred in Slinger, Wis. earlier this month in which a 20-year old man, Bo Morrison, was shot dead by a homeowner, Adam Kind, upon whose porch the former had intruded after partying at a neighbor’s house late after midnight. Wisconsin’s Castle Doctrine was invoked in this situation, and Kind has not been detained in relation to this shooting.