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Editorials

Davis died unjustly, but hopefully not in vain

On Sept. 21, Troy Davis was executed at a Georgia state prison after 20 years on death row. His case received minimal press attention for two decades until the week before his execution date, when an impassioned effort to save his life began across the world. The use of the death penalty in a case with “too much doubt,” as Davis’s supporters chanted outside the prison, sparked outrage as petitioners critiqued Georgia’s insouciant decision to kill a man who was never proven irrefutably guilty.

Voices

Georgetown and the CCP: an exclusive relationship

Let me say from the start that I have nothing at all against dialogue. However, when dealing with an authoritarian regime like the Chinese Communist Party, there seems to be a fine line between an open exchange of ideas and an approach to engagement that is more permissive than it is persuasive.

Editorials

Fairfax County deer culling is good for all

Last week, deer hunting season officially commenced in Fairfax County. This year, the county’s government has allowed bow hunters to hunt deer in the county’s 18 parks as part of an effort to combat dangerous and ecologically harmful deer overpopulation in the area

Voices

Candidates full of hot air and not running out of steam

While watching a recent Republican Presidential debate, I was puzzled by the reaction to Rick Perry’s signing an order that required mandatory vaccination against human papillomavirus for sixth grade girls in Texas—an uncharacteristic move for a staunch social conservative like Perry.

Voices

Smithsonian 9/11 exhibit captures a moment in time

Partially overlooked in the glut of media coverage of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks were two exhibits here in Washington which used artifacts from the three attacks. For just nine days leading upto September 11, the Smithsonian Museum of American History displayed a small collection of visceral reminders of 9/11 that gave viewers an intimate sense of what exactly happened to victims that day.

Voices

Qwikster off to a slow start

Last week I got an email from Reed Hastings, co-founder and CEO of Netflix, that began, “Dear Emma, I messed up. I owe you an explanation.” Well thanks, Mr. Hastings, but … excuse me? I do have a Netflix account, but the letter seemed a little more personal than anything I usually hear from heads of major companies.

News

SAC commissioners, student leaders discuss changes

On Wednesday night, Student Activities Commission board members and student group leaders came together for a forum to discuss SAC funding guidelines. SAC has drawn heavy criticism in the past for its funding guidelines, which were created in the spring of 2010 at a closed meeting that involved no student group leaders. The meeting was meant to be an opportunity for SAC and student leaders to create a better system for both SAC and student groups.

News

Professors discuss suitability of diversity requirement at GU

Last February, Georgetown University’s Initiative on Diversity and Inclusiveness’s Working Group on Academics released a recommendation calling for the implementation of a diversity course requirement in the Georgetown core undergraduate curriculum. Though the group had anticipated the requirement beginning in the 2011-2012 academic year, professors and faculty at Georgetown are still divided on whether the course is a good idea, making the plan’s future uncertain.

News

Saxa Politica: Hold GUSA to promises

It’s that time of year again, when we elect a number of our fellow classmates to senatorship in the Georgetown University Student Association. As regular as the yearly elections are, so are the outlandish promises made by candidates as they vie for the few votes necessary to win (one student only had to garner four votes to win one of last year’s GUSA Senate elections).

News

SaxaNet problems, expansion

The University Information Systems set up a new wireless network, SaxaNet, in 18 University buildings to address the lack of wireless connectivity on Georgetown’s campus, but a number of students have had trouble connecting to the network at all. UIS is also looking to expand wireless coverage to areas on campus that are not currently provided wireless access.

News

Pop culture supplements the humanities

This semester, Georgetown is offering an array of popular culture-themed classes, from “Philosophy and The Wire” to “Videogames in Critical Content.” While the courses are in high demand, the idea of merging TV and movies with serious academic questions has drawn criticism and ridicule.

Leisure

Free music that won’t get you sued by the RIAA

After a long week of classes and gloomy weather, this weekend comes as a welcome break. But why put yourself through another listen of “Party Rock Anthem” when you could be stomping your feet to lyrical Brazilian “choro” music? Whether you’re a music buff or simply looking for a new and exciting beat, head over to McNeir Auditorium in New North at 1:15 p.m., where Rogerio Souza and his colleagues are sure to deliver an entertaining afternoon. The best part? It’s completely free.

Leisure

Don’t let Real Steel‘s robots steal your money

It’s hard to expect a movie centering on the world of robotic boxing to be top-notch cinema, but somehow even Hugh Jackman’s rugged Australian charm can’t save Real Steel, a wannabe action flick with flawed plot and mediocre acting.

Leisure

ShopHouse: all spice and no nice

For most college students, Chipotle represents a paradise of fat, guacamole-stuffed burritos, and bowls that satisfy their appetite without murdering their wallet. But fans of the chain’s gloriously simplified Mexican cuisine may be surprised and slightly confused to learn that last Thursday, the company opened a store focused on Asian cuisine—ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen in Dupont Circle.

Leisure

China-fest at Kennedy

Surveying the broad developments in Chinese art in recent years, the Kennedy Center is hosting the ongoing festival China: The Art of a Nation this month. Presented in partnership with the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Culture, the exhibition features the work of 300 contemporary and performing artists. The event comes nearly six years after the Kennedy Center’s groundbreaking Festival of China, which brought international recognition to scores of native Chinese artists.

Leisure

Idiot Box: The sitcom that wasn’t shit

This week, the Internet has been abuzz with Emmy reactions. “Game of Thrones!” “Why didn’t Mad Men get any acting awards?” “Why do people still think Glee is funny?” But among all this hubbub, when you actually look at the winners, something fascinating comes to light—the night’s most successful show wasn’t a high-budget cable period piece, or a tried-and-true office comedy, or a bloody, serial killer drama (I know Dexter season five sucked, but seriously, Michael C. Hall deserves at least a pat on the back). It was…a network family sitcom?

Features

D.C. Students Speak, and D.C. starts to listen

DC Students Speak opened this year’s first general membership meeting with a bit of hometown pride. “D.C. chillin’/ P.G. chillin’/ My name Wale, and I came to get it,” a YouTube video of Wale’s “Chillin’” greeted the 30 or so students who trickled into White Gravenor 206.

Sports

Hoyas look to ace foes at Georgetown Classic

Starting tomorrow, the balls will be in the Hoyas’ court. The Georgetown men’s and women’s tennis teams look to set the tone for their 2011-2012 season with a rare home appearance this weekend as they host the annual Georgetown Classic Tennis Tournament at McDonough Outdoor Tennis Complex.

Sports

Sports Sermon

After Syracuse and Pittsburgh announced they were leaving the Big East for greener football pastures in the ACC, many Hoya fans were despondent, preparing themselves for a plunge into decades of college basketball irrelevance.

Sports

Football set for stiff road test

Georgetown’s matchup against Marist to close the 2010 football season hardly gave then-freshman tailback Nick Campanella cause for celebration. Despite their 14-7 win over the Red Foxes, the Hoyas had just wrapped up a dismal slide that saw them finish 4-7 overall, while Campanella failed to see any action in the game outside of special teams.

Sports

Double Teamed: Conference shuffle has fans dancing

On Tuesday night, the Pac-12 announced it terminated negotiations to expand the conference to 14 or even 16 teams. The conference said it was happy with 12 teams—for now.

Sports

Women’s soccer bounces back

After a rough overtime loss in their Big East opener against Seton Hall, the Georgetown women’s soccer team rediscovered their form with a huge win over Rutgers. Sunday’s 4-1 win, reaffirmed the team’s presence as a top Big East contender, improving their overall record to 7-3.

Voices

Waking up to the harsh reality of public education

Last year, my mother retired from teaching after 35 years of dedicated service. At her retirement party, I was unable to count the number of former students in attendance. A number of them gave speeches praising her for her talent and her ability to inspire. Now lawyers, doctors, authors, dancers, and musicians, they all recognized her enthusiasm and dedication as the catalyst for their intellectual growth and success.

Voices

This is just the same old story: another Hollywood remake

A few months ago, I found myself tossing back my usual concoction of Sour Patch Kids and popcorn at the K Street Theater while watching the previews before No Strings Attached. The previews, in line with the coming movie, consisted of much of the same repetitive rom-com themes that every girl occasionally indulges. When the preview for Friends with Benefits came on, however, I did a double take—wasn’t that the exact same movie I came to see?