Opinion

Thoughts from the Georgetown community.

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

Voices

The wrong conversation about mental health and violence

Whenever a mass shooting or other act of horrific violence occurs, the mainstream media, political pundits, and members of the public are quick to jump to one of two conclusions—the... Read more

By January 24, 2013

Voices

In a welcome result, Israel moves towards the center

In many ways, the results of Tuesday’s Knesset (parliamentary) elections in Israel proved a relief to Americans supportive of the Jewish state but concerned about the radicalization of its political... Read more

By January 24, 2013

Voices

From caterpillar into cocoon, a social butterfly emerges

By now, I’m sure everyone has seen Mean Girls, considering it’s arguably the best teen movie of our generation. But for those of you who have been living under a... Read more

By January 24, 2013

Voices

As print media lay dying: Carrying on

I grew up with Time. Every week, I would find it sitting around the house and either read it at my leisure. There was comfort in knowing it was right... Read more

By 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

Voices

Sen. Chuck Hagel represents the very best of Georgetown

On Jan. 7 President Obama nominated former Republican Senator from Nebraska, Vietnam War veteran, and Georgetown professor Chuck Hagel to replace Leon Panetta as the next Secretary of Defense. Ever since details of the possible nomination leaked in December, the choice has proved controversial and been attacked by a diverse group of political organizations.

By January 17, 2013

Voices

Let’s be honest about rape

Rape. The very word seems harsh, cruel, and reminiscent of something beyond the bounds of civilization. Say the word ‘rape’. Just say it. Do you feel ashamed, like you said something that just shouldn’t be uttered in polite society? A survey of the front page of The New York Times, CNN, Headline News, or even the DPS Crime Blotter makes it seem that way, using euphemisms like forcible fondling, violate, or assault to avoid the abject horror of having to simply say the word ‘rape’.

By January 17, 2013

Voices

Psychology student psychologically scarred by psychos

I’m a psychology major and my life philosophy is very simple: people are inherently good. Deep down in the dark corners of the heart, there is the intention to do good and be good. There is love, courage, passion, and all those beautiful things that give you shivers down your spine.

By January 17, 2013

Voices

Tornadoes and hurricanes and earthquakes oh my!

The most riveting entertainment, besides the carnal details of Silvio Berlusconi’s life, comes from The Weather Channel. Like any teenage soap, the direction of events on The Weather Channel are somewhat nonsensical and there’s always a plot twist at the end. As a small child who was clearly above the pettiness of morning cartoons, I would spend hours watching the weather and attempting to understand the patterns.

By January 17, 2013

Voices

Irrelevance and distortion: Autism and the Newtown shooting

This past Friday, the United States experienced an appalling tragedy: 26 people, 20 of whom were children, were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. The perpetrator responsible, Adam Lanza, is believed to have suffered from Asperger’s syndrome, a more severe autism spectrum disorder that not only hinders social interaction but also limits linguistic and cognitive development. Immediately after the status of the gunman’s behavioral health was revealed, a number of media sources alleged that Adam Lanza committed this massacre because he had Asperger’s syndrome.

By December 21, 2012

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

Editorials

Reconsider District school consolidation

Last month, D.C. Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson announced her plan to close 20 traditional D.C. public schools before the beginning of the next school year. This plan is estimated to displace approximately 3,000 students across six of the city’s eight wards. Henderson’s reasoning behind the closures is that a consolidation of schools will strengthen DCPS by redirecting funds from the maintenance of under-enrolled schools to the improvement of academic programs.

By the December 6, 2012

Editorials

‘Fiscal cliff’ threatens student prospects

As the U.S. edges closer to the sequestration stipulated in the Budget Control Act of 2011, debate is heating up between President Obama and the House Republican leadership about how to avoid the “fiscal cliff.” Originally conceived as a perverse incentive for Congress to agree on an acceptable debt-reduction solution, the Act stipulates an automatic spending reduction of up to $1.2 trillion of the federal budget on Jan. 1, 2013 if a budget compromise cannot be reached before that time. While politicians on both sides of the aisle badger on about the need for a grand compromise of revenue increases and spending cuts, it is clear that any austerity deal that puts the overall health of the economy at risk is unacceptable for America’s college students.

By the December 6, 2012

Voices

If the Grinch can glorify Christmas, so can atheists

Last Christmas Eve, a rumor started making its way around the dinner table. “The atheists are trying to ruin Christmas again,” the more religious of the company proclaimed. The situation,... Read more

By December 6, 2012

Voices

Carrying On: Single-sex schools are so fetch

In that oft-quoted scene from Mean Girls, Lindsay Lohan’s voiceover describes Cady Heron’s classroom interactions with the dim but studly Aaron Samuels: “On October 3rd, he asked me what day... Read more

By December 6, 2012

Voices

Georgetown student activism extends just short of their iPods

It doesn’t take long to realize that the range of musical interests here on the Hilltop is minimal. Nearly every party and friend you encounter will be blasting the same... Read more

By December 6, 2012