Opinion

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Grad school divided cannot stand

An ad hoc committee of the Faculty Senate released its report Monday in response to proposals from Chancellor Biddy Martin and Provost Paul DeLuca, who intended to substantially restructure the UW-Madison Graduate School. Administrators sought to divide the graduate education and research sections of the Graduate School into more separately defined entities and create a new administrative structure to accommodate them. Martin and DeLuca both said restructuring was needed so UW could remain competitive in securing multi-million dollar federal grants, fix problems in research safety compliance and better administer UW-Madison's ever-expanding research capabilities.

Remain true to MIU priorities

At The Daily Cardinal, we have been supportive of the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates (MIU) and its original intent: retaining UW's quality of education while helping foster economic diversity in the student population through increased scholarships and competitive tuition.

Halt use of eminent domain

As many people know, the fate of Brothers Bar & Grill on University Avenue is currently very uncertain. The UW Board of Regents wants to condemn the bar and use the land it is currently sitting on for a new music building. There had been prior negotiations regarding the school purchasing the land but those fell through. Now the owners of the bar, Marc and Eric Fortney, are suing the Board of Regents. Last week, a large sign appeared on the wall of the bar opposing the new music school and vaguely asking that people ""mobilize"" to save the bar. But the city of Madison forced them to take the sign down, claiming it was larger than regulations allow.

Music school deserves crescendo

A few weeks ago, Brother's Bar and Grill owners Marc and Eric Fortney posted a full page message in many area news papers asking the anonymous donors to the new UW School of Music building what legacy they wished to leave behind. Last week, I believe both men made pretty apparent what legacy they hope to leave behind in the form of four foot tall letters plastered to the side of their establishment-

On the Edgewater of our seats

Oh Edgewater, why must you tempt us? Time and time again the Common Council schedules a vote to possibly overturn a Landmarks Committee ruling against the Edgewater, and time and time again the vote gets delayed. This week it appears to have happened yet again, as the items dedicated to the Wisconsin Avenue hotel redevelopment were referred. Apparently our city alders missed the memo, Groundhog Day was three weeks ago.

National Eating Disorder Awareness Month highlights need for sensitivity

February is National Eating Disorder Awareness Month. A variety of different eating disorders (EDs) exist, each with common warning signs. Of course, every individual varies, so this particular list of symptoms is neither comprehensive nor exclusive. However, these habits are typical among those suffering from an ED and increasing awareness of these common signs will hopefully help contribute to continued intervention and treatment of EDs.

Olympics fail to medal in basic human rights

Since I was a kid, I have loved watching Olympic sporting events. I love Johnny Weir's tassel. I want to run my fingers through Shaun White's hair. The chattering of skis as they cut past a gate, the whooshing of the bobsled and the roar of excited fans are all music to my ears. But this year, the Olympic games are tainted for me.

Editorial Cartoon: February 22, 2010

Yes, Google, we'd like fast Internet

For those of you who know me, the fact that I'm writing about anything having to do with technology is quite a jaw-dropper. According to my ""tech-savvy"" friends and acquaintances, I am quite ""tech-crappy."" When my printer doesn't work, my attempts to fix it include name-calling, kicking and the silent treatment. It is currently resenting me for this abuse and refusing to print off my term papers. My relationship with my computer, on the other hand, is significantly more mature, and Google could significantly improve it with its new ultrahigh-speed Internet program.

Modern sense of entitlement detrimental to society, governmental policy

There are many issues facing our country today. They range from terrorism, to our economy, to our national debt. Yet there is one issue that doesn't grab headlines on MSNBC, CNN or Fox. In fact, it often fails to enter the political discussion in this country at all.

Don't look a gift train in the mouth

Apparently not everybody is fond of high-speed rail in Wisconsin. Milwaukee County Executive and Republican candidate for governor Scott Walker said this week that the costs of maintaining the rail line could be passed down to taxpayers. Both he and his rival, former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann, advocate not accepting the federal money. Republicans in the state Assembly said the costs of operating the line could be $7.5 annually and not covered by federal funds. Not only is this thinking short-sighted, it goes against the thinking of past Republican governors.

Make your meals meatless

It's disconcerting to read studies about the negative effects of red meat and belching cows ruining the atmosphere, to be sure. Still, surprisingly little of it actually translates to a change when we're standing in the lunch line. The answer to why most of us don't oblige and cut down? Simple: Meat tastes good.

Abortion debate requires everybody's participation

Abortion protesters descending upon Library Mall. Tim Tebow tackling his skeletal mother during the Super Bowl. Whether you're comfortable with it or not, the abortion issue is not going away. Never mind how many straddle the confused, moderate middle, the two opposing beliefs are too polarized to give up the fight.

Editorial Cartoon: Feb. 18, 2010

Student success depends on campus climate

When coming to UW-Madison, freshmen and transfer students look for new freedoms, new friends, networking and new opportunities. Unfortunately, many students are not prepared for the huge climate adjustment. And the reality hits much harder than the brutal Wisconsin winters. Minority students, including but not limited to people of color and international students, walk into a sea of white in more ways than one. Even majority students who come from very diverse cities are unprepared for Madison's campus climate. ""Campus climate"" carries various connotations on the UW-Madison campus, because the atmosphere is perceived differently between majority and minority groups.

Brothers Bar correct, within limits

We here at The Daily Cardinal are not big fans of eminent domain. On a case by case basis, some exceptions may seem reasonable for the public good. But the idea of the government seizing private property against citizens' will is quite frightening, particularly if the private citizens feel taken advantage of.

Claims against Shorewood Hills unfounded

[In response to Kathy Dittrich's Feb. 15 article ""Hypocrisy shines in Shorewood Hills]

Rediscovering community

When I first moved to Madison four years ago, all the upperclassmen I knew would consistently tell me that State Street just wasn't what it used to be when they were freshmen. The UW alums I've met all say the same thing. State Street just isn't the same.

Editorial Board Dissent: Help exists now

There are admittedly many problems facing student tenants in Madison, ranging from dirty apartments with barely functioning refrigerators, to poor responses to maintenance calls, to the ubiquitous wrongful withholding of deposits for unsubstantiated reasons.

Tea Party in the USA

Due to the protests, the growing number of people involved, and the controversial convention last week, the so-called Tea Party movement is getting more and more difficult to ignore. But who are these people and what do they really stand for? In a late January survey, 40 percent of respondents said that they either had not heard of the movement or did not know enough about it to form an opinion. Granted, this poll was conducted before the recent National Tea Party Convention, but that event did not really provide any more definitive information about this group than was already available.