Editorials

Opinions from the Voice’s official editorial board.

Editorials

Sequester woes offset by D.C. emergency fund

Last month, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray made an announcement thousands of city officials across the nation wish they could make themselves. The District had accrued a $417 million surplus in fiscal year 2012, and has put it all away in its emergency fund. This brings its rainy day savings to almost $1.5 billion.

By the February 28, 2013

Editorials

New pope must shepherd Church to modernity

On Wednesday, Pope Benedict XVI offered his final General Audience address in St. Peter’s Square. As soon as Monday, the College of Cardinals will begin the process of selecting a new pope—a decision that will present the Catholic Church with the opportunity to maintain the status quo or propel itself into an increasingly modern age.

By the February 28, 2013

Editorials

Activists demand Obama reject Keystone XL

Last Sunday, the world witnessed the largest rally against climate change in U.S. history. Over 40,000 concerned citizens gathered on the National Mall to demand President Barack Obama use his executive power to once and for all deny TransCanada, a Canadian energy company, permission to construct the controversial Keystone XL pipeline.

By the February 21, 2013

Editorials

Tisa/Ramadan promise much-needed change

Two weeks ago, the Voice Editorial Board laid out our priorities for Georgetown University Student Association executive candidates this year. We have decided to endorse Nate Tisa (SFS ‘14) and Adam Ramadan (SFS ‘14) for the GUSA presidency and vice presidency this coming year, as their understanding of what Georgetown’s student body needs best aligns with our values.

By the February 19, 2013

Editorials

CISR reforms needed to uphold social values

Since its establishment in 1970, Georgetown’s Committee on Investments and Social Responsibility has been charged with looking after the social integrity of the University’s endowment. Despite the Catholic social justice tradition the University claims to champion, the CISR has been unable to have a meaningful impact.

By the February 14, 2013

Editorials

D.C. environmental push at mercy of Congress

Last week, the D.C. Council introduced several bills containing progressive, environmentally-minded legislation that may put the District in conflict with the federal government. Councilmember Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) proposed a non-binding resolution that D.C. join 47 other cities in a nationwide campaign to pressure the EPA and the Obama administration.

By the February 14, 2013

Editorials

State of the Union shows limited promise

In his State of the Union address this past Tuesday, President Barack Obama laid down a set of nearly progressive marching orders. On issue after issue, the president asked for simple action, and in doing so, revealed just how indifferent and destructive the Republican controlled House has been.

By the February 14, 2013

Editorials

GUSA candidates have a legacy to live up to

Today the tickets for the presidency and vice presidency of the Georgetown University Student Association announced their candidacies and released their platforms. While the Voice Editorial Board will provide an official endorsement before the Feb. 20 presidential elections, we feel it is important to state our priorities prior to selecting the most competent ticket.

By the February 7, 2013

Editorials

Mayor Gray envisions a bigger, better D.C.

This Tuesday District Mayor Vincent Gray addressed city residents in his annual State of the District address. In a speech riddled with sports metaphors, Gray outlined the many successes of his two-year administration and announced his plans for the improvement of this “big-league city.”

By the February 7, 2013

Editorials

A satisfying compromise on contraception

In a meaningful act of compromise last Friday, the Obama administration expanded the number of religiously-affiliated organisations exempt from the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate. Originally the mandate only exempted houses of worship from the act’s requirement for the provision of contraceptive coverage in employee health plans.

By the February 7, 2013

Editorials

MPD’s sexual assault record condemned

According to a report published by Human Rights Watch last week, sexual assault survivors cannot expect anything more than skepticism, dismissal, and victim-blaming when reporting an assault to the District’s Metropolitan Police Department. The report clearly exposes MPD’s mistreatment of survivors as well as their mishandling of sexual assault cases.

By the January 31, 2013

Editorials

Non-English speakers face discrimination

This past week, the all-Republican Board of Commissioners in Carroll County, Md. voted unanimously to make English the official language of government business. The ordinance follows in the footsteps of Frederick County and Queen Anne’s County, making Carroll the third county in Maryland to declare an official language.

By the January 31, 2013

Editorials

DoD’s women in combat decision inadequate

In an announcement last Thursday, outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta declared that the Pentagon will lift its official ban on women in combat that has been in place since 1994. According to the Department of Defense, this means that the approximately 237,000 positions which women were previously barred from holding will be going under review.

By the January 31, 2013

Editorials

Divest from fossil fuels to preserve values

Yesterday, a group of students presented a letter to President DeGioia asking the University to freeze all new investments in fossil fuels and divest from current holdings within the next five years. The students, known as GU Fossil Free, also demand that Georgetown increase transparency and accountability in the investment process.

By the January 24, 2013

Editorials

License plates highlight statehood struggle

Two weeks ago, Obama finally announced his decision to use the District’s “taxation without representation” license plates on the presidential limousines in time for last Monday’s inauguration. Although it is a small act, the President’s use of the politically significant plates is a meaningful step forward in the struggle for D.C. statehood.

By the January 24, 2013

Editorials

Obama faces high expectations in second term

This past Monday, President Barack Obama was sworn in for his second term. His inauguration speech was a refreshingly progressive call for action, unequivocal about what needs to be done but broad enough to inspire and allow for policy maneuvering.

By the January 24, 2013

Editorials

SAC needs better incentives, fewer hoops

With the start of the spring semester officially underway, various changes in student life seem to finally be taking effect. In particular, the Student Activities Commission is making changes on campus that promise to have a large impact on the wellbeing of student groups. The inaugural Spring Student Activities Fair took place this past weekend, giving student groups the chance to reinvigorate their membership base.

By the January 17, 2013

Editorials

Sincerity indispensable to fight corruption

On Jan. 8, D.C. Councilmember Vincent Orange (D-At-Large) proposed a series of promising legislative initiatives to make D.C. governance more accountable and just. We congratulate the D.C. Council for responding to concerns expressed by citizens of the District for the opportunities of corruption that exist in the city government, and we hope that they establish effective guidelines for good governance.

By the January 17, 2013

Editorials

Earnest efforts required to protect women

As the 112th session of Congress drew to a close on Jan. 3, its failure to renew the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) demonstrates the serious dysfunction that plagues our government. First passed in 1994 and continually renewed by Congress without conflict up to this point, the Act expired this past October and must now wait until newly-elected legislators put it on their agenda.

By the January 17, 2013

Editorials

DPS needs to improve laptop protection

There’s been an unfortunate spike in crime at Georgetown this semester. This November, thefts alone increased 44 percent from October. The fact that the majority of these thefts have occurred in public places like the Leavey Center is particularly worrying, as is the fact that a third of the incidents were laptop thefts. Students understand the need to protect their valuable personal belongings, but generally fail to actively do so. Responding to the increase in thefts, the University’s Department of Public Safety has launched a campaign to encourage increased vigilance.

By the December 6, 2012