Critics of Peace Prize bash president unfairly
By Jamie Stark | Oct. 14, 2009The Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize committee's October 9 announcement that Barack Obama won the 2009 Peace Prize came as a shock to most.
The Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize committee's October 9 announcement that Barack Obama won the 2009 Peace Prize came as a shock to most.
As a 2008 alumnus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and as a former College Programs Coordinator for Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin, I am writing in response to Jamie Stark's October 7th column: Rejection of Chicago unjustified.
As any veteran of a Madison Halloween will attest, the most commonly seen costume among female college students is some variation on a ""sexy profession"" theme. Though the costumes themselves are largely a non-issue, the judgment that many young women receive, especially by their fellow females, reflects a society fraught with fear of the expression of female sexuality.
Last week, Common Council members requested several amendments on Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's capital budget including hangups for two of the largest price tags. First, they challenged the tax incremental finance contributions to the Edgewater Hotel remodeling project, which could total up to $16 million in funding. Second, it was requested that the central library project, totaling $37 million, be put to a public vote. Underlying both referendum proposals is not only the possibility of political power plays, but also an unnecessary demand to put major spending decisions on the shoulders of the average citizen.
Today's Student Organization Neighborhood guest editorial comes courtesy of Your Cause This Week. The Student Organization Neighborhood is a biweekly column dedicated to giving a voice to student groups across campus.
As students, we face our fair share of academic adversity. In the face of this adversity, I feel it's best to follow one simple rule: When things get tough, just go bowling. Hopefully this is exactly what Michael Hierl was thinking when he proposed his plan to remodel the puzzlingly popular nightclub Madison Avenue as a very trendy restaurant and bowling alley.
State Sen. Alan Lasee, R-De Pere, has always been an interesting character. Perhaps it comes with the territory, as he is stranded over in the corner of the state in Door County, surrounded by tourists and cranberry farmers. Or it just might be the cowboy hat he totes around on his head. However it came about, Lasee has a reputation of being an interesting lawmaker, and with that comes interesting ideas. One of Lasee's most recent initiatives is actually one of his old standbys: give the offices of secretary of state and lieutenant governor the axe in Wisconsin.
Diversity means more choices for community members and more ease to make choices for those outside of the community. It means going beyond the simple goals of Plan 2008. Efforts must be put forth like those previous that increased the amount of languages offered, particularly in the Scandinavian Studies department. Also, we must be more open to out-of-state students like the University of Minnesota is. UW's efforts today are certainly encouraging. But before it gets more diverse, the UW needs to think inclusively first.
For the next 28 years, every UW-Madison student will pay $96 per semester, totaling about $800 to $1,000 per education, for a new Union South and for Memorial Union renovations. Cumulatively, the students' contribution to the Union project amounts to nearly $100 million, not including tens of millions of additional dollars in interest payments on the bonds necessary to finance construction.
We urge both the ALRC and the full Common Council to support the student voting seat proposed by Ald. Bryon Eagon, with the Organizational Committee already giving their approval. A student perspective would help the ALRC craft policies that reflect student safety concerns and the realities of UW-Madison student life, being neither a rubber stamp nor an impediment to practical solutions for a thriving downtown.Thousands of students use alcohol legally and responsibly in Madison every week, it is long past time for their views to be fully heard.
As October is upon us, the start of the gun-hunting season is as well. Hunting has a rich history throughout our nation and state. Hunting is not only a recreational activity enjoyed by millions of Americans, but it is also an example of our guaranteed right to bear arms. ""A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed"" is clearly etched into the Constitution, guaranteeing gun rights for every American.
Within the last 20 years, the need for environmental awareness and the topic itself have grown significantly worldwide. Such a trend can be seen throughout the United States with the growth of alternative energy industries such as wind, hydro and biomass and a general spark of public interest in vital environmental issues such as global warming.
When Jacques Rogge announced Rio de Janeiro as the host city of the 2016 Olympics, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva burst into tears. President Obama was on his flight back to D.C. And you, were in shock.
Hopefully the Euro-centric, commie-infested, elitist International Olympic Committee gets what's coming to ‘em.
Plans to renovate Peace Park on State Street may sound appealing, but the estimated $1,000,000 price tag comes at a time when we should be tightening our expenditures as a city. Expenses that would not draw significant jobs or economic activity to Madison should be scrutinized, not rubber-stamped. From a new police training facility to the Edgewater development to a new central library branch, the city is currently staring down plenty of more beneficial multimillion-dollar projects.
While it is true that Walter Ellis' sample appears to have been taken from the wrong inmate by the Department of Corrections over 8 years ago, it is not true that the samples which the DNA Databank does not have but should have under the law is due to ""mismatches"" or ""incorrect filing."" Nor are they ""missing,"" as that term is commonly used. All indications are that the samples were never collected or sent to the DNA Databank in the first instance.
It's been a little over a year since we tepidly endorsed then-candidate Wyndham Manning for Dane County Supervisor of the 5th District. It was a decision made with a certain amount of reserve and precaution—one that was not made without considerable skepticism of Manning's ability to perform and execute in the position of supervisor and adequately represent the student voice. During his year in office, Manning has done little to challenge the low bar that was set for him, and his awkward and secretive announcement to not seek re-election only validated our earlier preoccupations with endorsing him.
Contrary to popular belief, the end of human kind will not come suddenly, taking the shape of a mushroom cloud in the red sky. The destruction of society is already underway, and you can see it at the library, in lecture halls, on Bascom hill, walking Charter Street and in State Street cafés.
After a lively debate about musical prodigies, I wanted to show someone a quality recording of the Jackson Five's ""I'll Be There"" on YouTube as some evidence of undeniable talent. Then a red ribbon popped up to my dismay, saying, ""This video has been removed due to copyright violation.""