Opinion - The Daily Cardinal

OPINION

Eliminating net neutrality is a priority

By Tim Heinzel | Oct. 27, 2015

At first glance, net neutrality seems like a great idea. It proclaims to keep the Internet free, equal and void of discrimination. Freedom, equality and anti-discrimination certainly are important American principles, but they are meant to be applied to citizens’ relationship with government, not citizens’ relationship with private businesses. Internet access is not a right, and all of the intricacies and stipulations of the service should be left up to the Internet company and its customers.

Natural gas pipeline projects such as Keystone XL have recently come under scrutiny due to how disruptive they are to the environment and anyone living by them.

OPINION

Expansion of eminent domain hits home

By Nate Borchardt | Oct. 26, 2015

The true foundation of republican government is the equal right of every citizen in his person and property and in their management,” Thomas Jefferson said.

When many concertgoers whip out their phones, it becomes difficult to appreciate the show.

OPINION

Too many cell phones detract from everyone’s concertgoing experience

By Eli Radtke | Oct. 26, 2015

It was a crisp October evening in Madison; the leaves were beautiful and the weather was perfect for a warm sweater. I was feeling content, walking down the street towards the glowing sign of the Majestic Theater, visions of the concert to come being entertained in my imagination, as my friends and I enjoyed the warmth of our alcohol blankets. With a few ‘pardon mes’ and only a couple ‘watch it bubs,’ we made our way into a decent position and began to cheer as the lights dimmed. That’s when the crowd began to glow.

OPINION

The harsh reality of the freshman 15

By Sebastian van Bastelaer | Oct. 25, 2015

Every incoming freshman is told of the horrors of the freshman 15. Even the utterance of its name is enough to strike fear in the hearts of us all. Most people have a plan coming in to avoid the abominable phenomenon. Upon arriving on campus, however, it’s quickly become apparent that eluding the freshman 15’s grip is easier said than done.

OPINION

South Korea’s history is getting standardized

By Hae Rin Lee | Oct. 25, 2015

Oct. 12, South Korea decided to implement a new nationalized Korean history textbook starting in 2017. As a South Korean and a history major, this is one of the most shameful downplays of historical study. This textbook applies to all South Korean public institutions from elementary to high schools. George Orwell emphasized the importance of history itself: “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” History has to be studied and narrated by different sources and viewpoints; if not, then we will only harvest unripe and foul misunderstandings.

Chancellor Blank frequently speaks on the topic of the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption by the student body.

CAMPUS NEWS

Peer pressure is an unspoken danger to students on college campuses

By Natalie Maczuga | Oct. 21, 2015

Irecently came across a quote saying “don’t choose being ‘cool’ because it doesn’t mean anything outside of high school.” My knee-jerk reaction was “what a load of crap.” Middle school and high school were overwhelming when it came to peer pressure. Not only were you trying to figure yourself out, but so was everybody else and the melting pot of moldable identities did not really aid you in finding your own. However, after four years of college, I can say that college is just a more expensive version of high school, boiling over with even more peer pressure than ever before.

CAMPUS NEWS

Cardinal View: UW falls short in clarity of sexual assault policy

By Cardinal View | Oct. 21, 2015

We have a sexual assault problem.

The University of Wisconsin Police Department has recently come out against campus concealed carry.

CAMPUS NEWS

Concealed carry on campus is dangerous

By JoEllen Amato and Samantha Wilcox | Oct. 21, 2015

Campus shootings are a horror that are unfortunately becoming a common occurrence in today’s society. Within 2015 alone, there have been 53 campus shootings across the country, killing 30 and injuring 53 people, according to The Kansas City Star. There are multiple schools of thought on how we can overcome this problem: increased gun control, improved treatment of mental health issues or fighting fire with fire by making it easier to defend oneself with a gun. This is the option that Wisconsin lawmakers want to make a reality on University of Wisconsin campuses, with state Rep. Jesse Kremer,R-Kewaskum, and Sen. Devin LeMahieu, D-Rostburg, proposing a bill to the state Senate that would allow students and faculty to conceal carry weapons on campus.

OPINION

Writing is a tough job, but is worth all the hard work

By Jon Spike and Ben Miller | Oct. 20, 2015

For the past hour, I’ve been staring at a blank Google Doc page. My fingers are lying motionless at the helm of the keyboard. My mind is wandering into space. Not a single idea is coming to mind.

OPINION

Cybersecurity steps into the spotlight

By Jack Kelly | Oct. 20, 2015

Last month in the White House Rose Garden, President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping stood side-by-side and hosted a news conference on the topic of corporate cyber attacks. In the news conference, President Obama stated that both China and the United States would refrain from cyber attacks aimed at pilfering company intellectual or trade secrets for commercial advantage. However, events following the news conference are raising questions on whether this agreement is going to be upheld.

OPINION

The UW anthem doesn't represent campus

By Eli Radtke | Oct. 20, 2015

The class clown; not the cool one that has the good jokes or even the one that does stupid stuff that makes everyone laugh. No, I speak of the sub-variety of this personality that sits in the back of the class and has a comment for everything. Someone you want to tell to take a long walk off a short pier, but you know they thrive on any attention. So, you are forced to grind your teeth, smile, and watch as the second hand crawls across the clock face, leisurely strolling towards your freedom.

OPINION

Taylor Swift’s criticism of Apple Music maintains relevancy and validity

By Marisa Bernstein | Oct. 19, 2015

I recently downloaded Apple Music, and let me tell you, I feel like Ryan Seacrest. For nine bucks a month, I can bump Drizzy while I’m runnin’ through the six and croak along to The Weeknd until I can’t feel my face (I’m proud of that joke, let me have it).

OPINION

Breadth requirements stifle education

By Jon Spike and Tim Heinzel | Oct. 19, 2015

As high school seniors search for colleges to apply to, it will be difficult for them to find one that doesn’t have some sort of “general education” or “liberal studies” requirements. The idea that colleges must produce a well-rounded individual by means of mandating breadth in course selection is almost universal. While it would be nice if it was possible to instill knowledge into students by implementing general education requirements, knowledge is something that you have to want to have. After all, it is entirely possible to get through every liberal studies course you take with the grade you want if you memorize enough information and dump it on the exam, or write a good enough essay on a topic you don’t care about. The flaw in mandated liberal education is the idea that forcing students to complete a set of classes will make them acquire and retain a certain set of skills or amount of knowledge.

OPINION

Putting the Apple funds to good use

By Sebastian van Bastelaer | Oct. 18, 2015

Apple Inc. was recently ordered to pay the University of Wisconsin $234 million for infringing on a patent. Although this is far lower than the original reported $862 million, it’s still a substantial sum. Much of the money will presumably go back to the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and be reinvested in research. But why not consider some more fun options.

OPINION

Webb’s comments reignite veteran mental health debates

By Sergey Fedossov and Tom Walsh | Oct. 14, 2015

Last night at the first Democratic debate, we had an opportunity to see what the potential nominees for the Democratic Party’s presidential candidacy were good for, and what their weak points were. Lincoln Chafee, the former governor of Rhode Island, was immediately outed for his spotty party affiliations and records, and was even grilled by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer later on when he planned on ending his “futile” presidential bid. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton each caught flak for their actions, statements and past voting records, but came out without significant damage. Slow-talking Martin O’Malley had the heat turned up on him for his emotional appeals and lack of serious answers regarding the delicate state of Baltimore due to recent civil unrest. However, former Sen. Jim Webb suffered less for his unique stances and speaking style at the hands of debators than he did later at the hands of social media users.

OPINION

Media creates an uneven playing field for Democrats

By Sergey Fedossov | Oct. 14, 2015

As far as I know, there’s no class here at UW that teaches students about current events or day-to-day politics in election cycles, and for good reason.

OPINION

Falling in love with autumn weather

By Cal Weber | Oct. 13, 2015

Break out your Gap coupons and treat yourself to a new jean jacket because fall is officially here.

OPINION

Lawmakers propose anti-transgender bill

By Samantha Wilcox | Oct. 13, 2015

This year has been a year of great progress for the transgender community. Caitlyn Jenner coming out has not only brought positive light to the community, but has also opened the floodgates to the conversation on gender identity and how we, as a society, can be more accommodating for people who fall in different places along the gender spectrum. Education is key when it comes to understanding and conquering equality in transgender issues.

In the wake of recent tragedies, arguments about gun control have become a hot topic.

OPINION

Arguments for gun control fall flat

By Tim Heinzel | Oct. 12, 2015

Arguments over gun control revolve around one of two things: trying to maximize or minimize a certain set of statistics or hoping to establish a specific set of individual rights. Those who attempt to maximize or minimize societal outcomes advance a utilitarian argument; those who advocate for establishing individual rights in relation to gun ownership rely on their own arbitrarily-defined belief system.

OPINION

Stop Internet activism

By Sebastian van Bastelaer | Oct. 11, 2015

This [insert problem] is a big issue that needs to be solved! We need to take real action to make a change in the world!