Opinion

Thoughts from the Georgetown community.

Voices

Arabic department mimics chaos of Tahrir Square

Since I can remember, I have wanted to study Arabic. The Arab world has always had some inexplicable draw for me: I am fascinated by its culture, food, and history. So when I chose to attend Georgetown, I immediately enrolled in Intensive Modern Standard Arabic.

By February 20, 2013

Voices

Academy shoves ‘torture’s handmaiden’ into a Hurt Locker

The Academy Awards definitely has a high school lunch table element to it. It’s the biggest bling-out of the Hollywood year where the celebrity elite applauds each other’s artistic efforts and secretly hopes nobody else wins. Somebody’s bound to get snubbed—this year, however, the nominations have stirred special indignation.

By February 20, 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

Voices

Double assault: Losing the battle on rape in the military

The highly publicized The Invisible War, a nominee for Best Documentary Feature for the 85th Academy Awards, is making citizens and military personnel alike painfully aware of the extent of male and female sexual assault in all branches of the military.

By February 13, 2013

Voices

Historic papal resignation opens path to modernity

When Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation I was surprised, to say the least. As most people are aware, the papacy is a modern-day monarchy with its leaders ruling for life.

By February 13, 2013

Voices

99 bottles of beer in Tombs; Carrying on

On Saturday night, I made the bold decision to sign up for the 99 Days Club. Initially, I was not entirely sure why I did it. I might as well have gone up to the bartender and written a check for a few hundred dollars and it would have been the equivalent.

By February 13, 2013

Voices

Dixie vilifiers not ready to make nice with the South

Growing up in a semi-rural town near Richmond, Va., I was constantly bombarded by everything country, from country music on school buses to Confederate flags on every Southern pride shirt.

By February 13, 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

Voices

Lacking in documents, not lacking in American pride

On Monday, Jan. 28 a bipartisan group of senators held a press conference to reveal their plan for comprehensive immigration reform. The key points of their five page plan include... Read more

By February 6, 2013

Voices

A frank portrait of anorexia; carrying on

Those in the medical community will tell you that anorexia nervosa is characterized by depression, a negative self-image, and appearing underweight. I can tell you that there is a paralyzing... Read more

By February 6, 2013

Voices

Part-time professors deserve their full-time rights

Our education shapes us. What we learn and how we learn determines who we are and how we think. And while books, newspapers, and the internet are important sources of... Read more

By February 6, 2013

Voices

“Defenders of the Faith” betray Islamic history in Timbuktu

Around 10 days ago, jihadists of Ansar Dine “Defenders of the Faith” fled from a remote yet remarkable city in West Africa, leaving a smoldering and spiteful legacy in their... Read more

By February 6, 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