Opinion

Thoughts from the Georgetown community.

Voices

An unlikely subculture

Waiting in line has become cool. People dressed in strange costumes, attempting to resemble characters from the films, gather to wait in line days before tickets go on sale. These fanatics only come out of their mom’s basement once a year, and when they do, they are dressed as Yoda.

By the November 6, 2003

Editorials

Hungry like the Wolfowitz

Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, in a speech delivered last Thursday in Gaston Hall, discussed the American invasion of Iraq and reflected on his recent trip there. “We had a fairly exciting trip to Iraq this weekend,” he noted. His speech had some great lines, including one rather evangelical-sounding claim: “Today there is plenty of good news in Iraq.

By the November 6, 2003

Editorials

Odd bedfellows unite, again

Take Back the Night and the College Republicans might seem like unlikely partners, but these two campus groups are working together on the annual Take Back the Night rally this year. The College Republicans intend to co-sponsor the event by donating money and providing personnel and advertising resources.

By the October 30, 2003

Voices

Correction

“Taking out the trash” (Cover, Oct. 23) states that Georgetown University reached a peak recycling rate of 43 percent in 1996. However, this figure does not account for waste produced during move-in and move-out. The actual rate at that time, accounting for those figures, was between 16 percent and 18 percent, according to University Recycling Coordinator Pat Dollar.

By the October 30, 2003

Editorials

Policing (and arresting) MPD

According to a Washington Post report Sunday, 24 Metropolitan Police Department officers have been arrested on charges ranging from attempted murder to drunk driving since the beginning of the year. Sound like a lot? It is a lot for the 3,700-officer department.

By the October 30, 2003

Editorials

Why is voting this hard?

Electronic voting was originally hailed as the solution to all voting problems. Hanging, pregnant and otherwise illicit chads would be a thing of the past, and confusing butterful ballots would be replaced with state-of-the-art touchscreen displays. But now that such voting machines have been implemented in many states, Florida 2000 is beginning to look like a walk in the park.

By the October 30, 2003

Editorials

Sports Sermon

“Whatever system Steve is using isn’t working. That’s not a criticism, it’s a fact.” – ESPN analyst Joe Theismann

The time has come to focus on some real sports in D.C. Forget about Steve Superior’s hapless Redskins. Poor Patrick Ramsey has the spinal structure of a 75-year-old construction worker thanks to all the hits he’s absorbed over the past three weeks.

By October 30, 2003

Voices

The greatest column ever written

VOICES BY SCOTT MATTHEWS “My temple should be a house of God,” he proclaimed, voice cracking as he strained to hit the high notes. “But you have made it a den of …” “Hold it … today High Priest Caiaphus ‘The Dick’ Cheney is set to speak here, and in accordance with our policy of tolerance and free speech we have limited free speech to the designated tolerance zone, which is fifty cubits hence.”

By the October 30, 2003

Voices

Jack your lantern

Think you carve a pretty pumpkin? You’re probably wrong. Pumpkins carved from a pattern aside, pumpkin carving is like singing: While everyone else is terrible, you think you’re really something. Turns out you probably should save it for the car or the shower.

By the October 30, 2003

Voices

An authentic Red Sox fan

Until this year’s American League Championship Series, I thought I knew what it meant to be a Red Sox fan. I have lived in New England all my life. I got my first Sox cap in third grade. Since coming to Georgetown, my mom has faithfully sent me all the team news from the local paper.

By the October 30, 2003

Voices

Six degrees of Schwarzenegger

VOICES BY BILL CLEVELAND Five years ago, Jesse Ventura was elected governor of Minnesota in a tightly contested three-way election that pitted him against another local mayor and Hubert Humphrey’s son. Ventura served one term as governor, then left to return to the private sector, because he figured he could make more money there.

By the October 23, 2003

Voices

Redefining pathetic

Every so often, a friend offers to me the following conclusion about his current state of affairs: “My life sucks.” When such feelings of overwhelming self-pity are related to me, the complainer typically has recently had something extremely embarrassing or unfortunate happen to him.

By the October 23, 2003

Voices

I’ll mess with Texas

I’ll admit that adjusting to life on the hilltop has been something of a challenge for me. I know you may be thinking, “don’t worry, everyone goes through the trials and tribulations of leaving home for the first time, making new friends, adjusting to a roommate, et cetera.

By the October 23, 2003

Voices

Correction

In the review “The Illusion captivates” (Leisure, Oct. 16) incorrectly credits Sorell Richard as the set designer. The set designer was Tomasina Lucia (SFS ‘04).

By the October 23, 2003

Editorials

Returning to recycling

The environmental revolution that occurred in the early 1970’s made it abundantly clear to Americans for the first time that we were not doing enough to protect our world. While there was a resurgence of activism during the early 1990’s, the environment has taken a backseat to other hot button issues in recent years.

By the October 23, 2003

Editorials

Change the smoking policy

Last week Interhall announced it would soon conduct a survey regarding the smoking policy for campus residence halls. Interhall thinks that the current policy is outdated, and believes that there is a demand for smoke-free residences on campus. The current policy, which is very liberal toward smoking, goes farther than most other universities and should be revised.

By the October 23, 2003

Editorials

A safer campus

Last Tuesday, Georgetown University announced that it will hire David Morrell, a former employee of the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security, to be the first Vice President for University Safety. The announcement comes after a year-long search for a person to handle the unique job of managing the safety needs of a school in the nation’s capital.

By the October 23, 2003

Voices

Words of warning from California

In June 2002, Shaquille O’Neal ascended to the podium at the Los Angeles Lakers’ third consecutive victory parade. The Lakers’ 4-0 sweep of the New Jersey Nets had been a foregone conclusion, but the Western Conference Championship Series had stretched the team to its limits.

By the October 16, 2003

Voices

Living in the border region

I have read that the term “culture shock,” is used more for its well-known connotations rather than its literal dictionary definition. In other words, we throw the expression around a lot, but its precise meaning is limited to a specific situation. It’s not just confusion or awe due to the sheer difference of a new place or society.

By the October 16, 2003

Voices

Everybody don’t do the Bartman

VOICES BY DAVE STROUP I write this as the Cubs are down by three to the Marlins in game seven of the National League Championship Series. As you read this, you will know how the game came out. However, I am not watching the game. Instead, I am here writing about the tragedy of game six.

By the October 16, 2003