Opinion

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New UW System reforms will benefit universities

Women's studies will reduce gender gaps

What would happen if every student on campus were required to take a course in the department of Gender and Women's Studies? Would students brush the class aside like any other breadth credit or take the valuable information it offers seriously?

Fact distortion harms debate

Outcome of Chicago election important to Midwest's future

FYI: Governor Walker is not Hitler

Top Ten: Madison's most influential figures, the full list

The Badger Herald: Worst newspaper on campus

No one can sit out diversity discussion

Last week, the university provoked another series of racial tensions across campus. Following an e-mail sent to several UW-Madison minority student organizations from the office of the Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Climate, many students were incensed at the administration's lack of tact.

Democrats' attempt to repeal DADT is weak

Can you hear the fat lady singing, my fellow Badgers? She's singing about the Democrats preparing to abandon another fight in Washington D.C. During the current lame-duck legislative session, Democrats are silently jumping ship on the LGBT initiative of repealing the ""Don't Ask, Don't Tell"" policy that bars gays and lesbians from openly serving in the armed forces.

Coulter's ideals to raise voting age lack logic

Ann Coulter, the famous right-wing writer and commentator, is at it again. The woman, who prides herself on not pretending to be fair or balanced, has certainly enraged millions of Americans over the years with her controversial opinions. And right now, she's currently setting her sights on a target that is slightly closer to home: the 18 to 26-year-old demographic.

Network news should man up and admit its biased coverage

Last Friday, MSNBC suspended Keith Olbermann indefinitely for his contributions of $2,400 to three Democratic political candidates. The network claims the donations are in conflict with their news policies and that Olbermann's contributions could jeopardize both his and the network's neutrality. The unpaid suspension has caused quite a bit of debate over whether cable news anchors should be allowed to contribute to political campaigns and whether the suspension was a just punishment for the breach in policy.

Late lease deadline benefits students

The predominant belief of many students on campus, particularly freshmen, seems to be that if you don't sign a lease on an apartment by December, you will end up living in an old refrigerator box. But this belief could not be further from the truth.

Republicans should use election results as motivation

Government is not the solution to our problems. Government is the problem. Those were the words spoken by President Ronald Reagan on his inauguration day nearly 30 years ago. Yesterday, they were spoken again by millions of Americans who saw our country heading in the wrong direction. While the final numbers have yet to be tabulated, one thing is clear: Americans chose a new path.

GOP needs better talent in 2nd District

One more round of midterm elections is in the books, and it was a sweeping victory for Republicans nationwide. While the GOP victory may not have been as dominant as many had projected, the Republicans were still able to take the U.S. House of Representatives, grab a lion's share of the country's governorships and oust Democratic senate stalwarts, including Wisconsin's own Russ Feingold. But here in Wisconsin's 2nd Congressional District, Democratic Representative Tammy Baldwin didn't even flinch.

Abusive relationships not a simple issue for victims

As his fingers closed around my throat, my brain flipped a switch that went primal. My only instincts were to keep breathing and to kick. Turns out, heels come in handy.

Hassett will actually do attorney general duties

The choice between sitting Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and his opponent Scott Hassett was not a difficult one. Van Hollen has effectively been campaigning not to receive our endorsement for the last four years. His list of accomplishments is less impressive than Joe Pesci's in ""My Cousin Vinny."" He dropped the ball on Calumet County's ""sexting"" District Attorney Ken Kratz, who Van Hollen's office allowed to waft around courtrooms for months following allegations of sexual harassment. Last year the Wisconsin Department of Justice misplaced thousands of DNA samples, leading to the possibility of up to 3,000 convicted felons walking free when they should have been in jail.

Vote Barrett to keep Walker from sending us off the rails

Wisconsin faces a projected $2.7 billion deficit. To balance the budget, we need a governor who not only knows how to cut spending, but who knows where to make smart, sustainable cuts. That is why we endorse Tom Barrett for governor.

Bringing the 'win' back in Baldwin

In a Wisconsin election season filled with closely fought races, the question of who should represent our Second Congressional District is an easy one to answer. Through her consistent performance in Congress and commitment to representing her constituents, Rep. Tammy Baldwin has earned our endorsement for reelection.

In District 77 Manski best for students

Either candidate for Wisconsin's 77th district, Democrat Brett Hulsey or the Green Party's Ben Manski, will represent a liberal vote in the assembly. On a great deal of environmental and social issues Manski and Hulsey seem to be in agreement and would reflect the opinions of Madison and Middleton voters.

'It gets better' founder is only getting worse

As proud as I was to show my support for victims of bullying by wearing purple last Wednesday at Library Mall, I was quickly reminded later that day that members of the LGBT community are not the only victims who are regularly attacked because of their identity. In fact, some gay rights supporters and many other activists with liberal leaning perspectives are actually to blame for at least a portion of the disrespect that has recently come to the forefront of our society.