Opinion

Thoughts from the Georgetown community.

Editorials

Doing our part for Iraqi refugees

While the government and all educational institutions must do their part, Georgetown—where Iraq war planners like former Undersecretary of Defense Douglas Feith and former CIA director George Tenet, have come to roost—owes a larger debt than most.

By the November 1, 2007

Voices

Carrying On

I pulled back for a second, kissed her on the forehead, and sighed. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this,” I began. “But I really like you, and I think that maybe we should wait.” She laughed softly, clearly thinking that I was making a joke. I laughed and said, “No, seriously. I think it’s for the best.”

By October 25, 2007

Editorials

Making Georgetown proud, finally

DeGioia’s announcements were a long time coming. This fall’s two homophobic hate crimes highlighted Georgetown’s need for a resource center and for major changes in campus culture.

By the October 25, 2007

Editorials

Put a DPS officer on Lauinger steps

The unreasonably high number of public safety alerts concerning crimes on the Lauinger steps, including the most recent alleged hate crime, suggests that a DPS officer should be permanently stationed on the steps at night.

By the October 25, 2007

Voices

This Georgetown Life: Childhood World Series nostalgia

We were reading Shiloh and learning simple scientific principles as the Cleveland Indians had made their way to the World Series in ‘95 for the second time in three years. My teacher, Miss Hist, showed up each day of the series decked out in red and blue Indians apparel, raving about the latest game, the random facts only truly devoted fans know and all the “hunks” on the team.

By the October 25, 2007

Voices

This Asian doesn’t have an accent

I wish I had a Korean accent. Not to get women, because that takes a European accent. Besides, if I really did have a Korean accent, the last thing I would be is attractive. Have you ever seen someone from mainland Korea order a ham-bag-gah at McDonald’s? Not so attractive.

By October 25, 2007

Voices

Burma for cheap

I was walking along a crowded Bangkok plaza when my eyes locked onto the sign: “Burma for Cheap.” Normally, I wouldn’t be lured into Thai places that advertise anything “for cheap,” but Burma seemed to be an interesting place to go during a break from my summer internship in Thailand. After about thirty minutes of strained discourse with the travel agent and lots of hand motions, I decided to go.

By October 25, 2007

Editorials

Rape allegations must be respected

All allegations of rape must be taken seriously and the hospitals’ decision to deny her a rape kit is appalling.

By the October 25, 2007

Voices

Abandoning the nuclear family

Imagine a little boy who lives with parents who love him. At dinnertime, one parent is cooking in the kitchen and the other is at the table making a mock airplane out of a fork and some spaghetti. This picture-perfect scenario could be a reality for more children living in foster care if couples who pass the rigorous adoption standards are no longer barred due to their sexual orientation.

By October 18, 2007

Letters to the Editor

An Open Letter to Todd Olson, V. P. for Student Affairs

We are deeply troubled by the events of October 11 on campus. The way in which LGBT students and their supporters were treated on that day by the campus police is extremely discouraging, to say the least. For a peaceful student group to be prevented by a large number of police officers from entering the open spaces of the Healy building in order to deliver to the president’s office signatures to a widely shared campus petition is appalling.

By October 18, 2007

Voices

He’s more fly than superfly

When my father walks into a room, he cannot help but radiate badass. Since high school, he has often reminded me how much cooler he is than I am. I usually ignore the comment and roll my eyes, but deep down, I know he’s right.

By October 18, 2007

Letters to the Editor

Here’s to fighting fragmentation

Just wanted to compliment Samuel Sweeney on a great article in the most recent issue. (“Action, not reaction,” Voices, October 11.)

By October 18, 2007

Voices

It’s all about how you play the political game

Try this pop quiz for a second: two senators are running for president. One encounters major opposition in poll after poll, while for the other you’d be hard-pressed, as far as my experience goes, not to find an admirer. The first inspires as much divisiveness as praise, while the second is almost universally regarded as an American hero. One seems to have spent most of her life planning a way to the presidency; the other has served his country, to the point of torture and near-death in war, since his college days. Who are they?

By October 18, 2007

Voices

Carrying On

My own introduction to Siobhan consisted of a half-hour conversation wherein she pointed toward the kitchen and squawked something I couldn’t understand, and made the angry-eyebrow face. I am unsure if she was she trying to warn me that the grease build up on the gas burner was a fire hazard or was just commenting that the dinner I was cooking looked toxic.

By October 18, 2007

Editorials

DeGioia should listen before he speaks

When DeGioia publicly attaches the University’s name to a statement, he speaks for the entire Georgetown community, and he should be required to solicit input from this community before he speaks on its behalf.

By the October 18, 2007

Editorials

LGBTQ talks need dialogue, not drama

For the best chance for their demands to be met by their November 9 deadline, GU Pride should strive to maintain a reasonable and level-headed dialogue with the administration, temporarily relaxing its confrontational tactics.

By the October 18, 2007

Editorials

Slimming down the school system

Giving Rhee firing power is an important step toward creating a more efficient bureaucracy that will be better able to meet the needs of D.C.’s public school students.

By the October 18, 2007

Voices

Action, not reaction

On Tuesday night, I received an e-mail from President John DeGioia, reassuring the Georgetown community that he “will not tolerate homophobia or any other form of discrimination on our campus.” The e-mail marked exactly a month of DeGioia’s silence after a Georgetown student was assaulted for being gay, so I guess you could say it came in the nick of time, just as I was starting to wonder whose side DeGioia was on, anyway.

By October 11, 2007

Voices

An afternoon with the Scientologists

We passed the Church of Scientology, and, luckily, they were offering free personality tests and guided tours. It sounded like a pretty sweet deal. Who doesn’t like free things from an organization that’s well known for being controversial? We approached the ornate wooden doors and entered without knowing it would be another three hours until we would manage to escape.

By October 11, 2007

Voices

Carrying On

The most surreal part of becoming a United States citizen, and there are many, is the citizenship exam. In a few months, I will have the privilege of standing before some bored INS official and answering ten randomly selected questions, needing six correct answers to get that elusive right to vote.

By October 11, 2007