Opinion

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Increasing minimum wage detrimental

It seems to be a sick, dramatic irony that the protesting proponents for a higher minimum wage, or a “living wage” as the left has now incongruously deemed it, are acting in accordance with principles of ritualistic self-sacrifice. Minimum wage laws destroy low-skilled jobs and hurt the very economic class the “do-gooders” are trying to save. The very real efforts of these practitioners of self-immolation give metaphorical credence to the eternal aphorism “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.” While unfortunate, much of progressive history has been steeped with racist and sexist policy. From eugenics advocacy, race-based abortion advancement and defending Jim Crow laws, to special legislation purporting that women must work fewer hours because they were responsible for bearing future generations (and thus were collective property), well-meaning progressives seem to be eternally on the wrong side of history. This time is no different. The persistent push for increasing minimum wage laws hurts low-skilled laborers who are more represented in the lower income brackets.

Bias toward women in the classroom must be eliminated

As a nerdy, opinionated middle-schooler who mostly surrounded myself with other nerds, I was surprisingly unaware of the biases that affected my teachers and classmates each day. I was well aware of the fact that women were discriminated against in the world, but I always thought of it as a far- off issue, something that didn’t affect me.

I dare you to read this entire thing

In trying to think of a relevant issue my student readers would enjoy, I realized scoping current events for something I could form an opinion about just wasn’t cutting it. Instead, I chose to look to the expert —myself and my peers. We’re the experts. We know what is relevant to students because we are the students. Not that this is a normal occurrence in our apartment, but last night my roommates and I engaged in a conversation that was extremely relevant and inspired this column today.

Letter: Syrian intervention a matter of power display by the U.S.

On Monday night 60 people gathered in front of Tammy Baldwin’s office to request her to vote “no” against any military option against Syria for alleged gas attacks that murdered thousands of innocents.

Cyrus' new antics are questionable

Miley Ray Cyrus is the furthest thing from stupid. In fact, she’s far from desperation as well. Once the comfort of reruns and Disney contracts became unappealing, perhaps it was time for a new era to come upon her image. After effectively forging a career based on her persona based on her real life where she lives two lives, perhaps Miley grew frustrated with the pacifier of the public eye. Is it shameful? People grow up; discover their sexuality, act outlandish and irrational and uncaring of who sees.

Letter to the editor: Moped crashes could be avoided with safety precautions

Your newspaper recently published information about a University of Wisconsin-Madison student who was injured after his moped was struck by a car on campus. The driver of the car said he did not see the moped as he was attempting to turn at an intersection. The moped rider was not wearing a helmet and suffered significant injuries.

‘Blurred Lines’ creates dangerously blurred lines for sexual assault

The song “Blurred Lines,” by Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell Williams, which has been at the top of the American charts for weeks, is a perfect example of how American popular culture promotes rape and sexual violence against women. The song has grown famous for its extremely offensive lyrics and a music video so sexually explicit YouTube has blocked it. Aside from this, the song features lines that objectify and degrade women, and suggest that women’s voices simply don’t matter.

Syrian compliance would be victory

For the last couple weeks a scene from the West Wing has been etched into my head. The scene is in the first season and comes after the Bartlet administration has been struggling to pass any legislation. After a conversation in the Oval Office, President Bartlet and his chief of staff Leo McGarry decide to “let Bartlet be Bartlet.” Leo goes to his office and tells the high level staff, “We’re gonna put the ball in the air. If we’re gonna walk into walls, I want us running into ’em full speed.” For the last couple weeks, it appears President Barack Obama, with Secretary of State John Kerry on his side, has been running at full speed.

Column: Switch to X Games tour removes unifying event from action sports

Modern action sports, as a whole, are a money-centric operation.

Chancellor Blank remains positive choice

For the most part, last year’s editorial board was pleased with the decision to appoint Rebecca Blank as our university’s next chancellor. While impressed by her financial and academic experiences in previous positions, the board urged Blank to embrace the opportunities being a Badger would present to her, such as getting to know a diverse student body and engaging with the unique governance structure on which our university prides itself. A few months and a few new members later, we find ourselves taking the same position.

After 121 years of excellence, we are not backing down

The Daily Cardinal is raising the bar.

Potential war in Syria not in public interest

As of this writing, the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved, in a contentious 10-7 vote, presidential authorization for missile strikes on key Syrian military locations with the intent of degrading President Bashar Al-Assad’s ability to use chemical weapons against rebel factions. While the authorization must now move through the general Senate body and through the House of Representatives before the vote has been totally approved, many Americans are scratching their heads and wondering why these attacks are being considered at all.

'The Road Not Taken' offers sound advice for incoming freshmen

The most frustrating question I was asked this past summer was, “Why did you choose to go to school in Wisconsin?”

Media produce what we want to read

Directly following Miley Cyrus’ asinine performance at the Video Music Awards, it seemed as if every corner of the Internet swelled with commentary on the pop singer’s desperate publicity stunt. And as expected, the satire empire that is The Onion took it upon themselves to not only comment on the shenanigan, but also shift the focus to where it was deserved—mass media and the news outlets that turned what should have been a public embarrassment into an issue of national concern.

Wisconsin proposed abortion and contraception legislation detrimental to women's rights

On Wednesday, May 22, pro-choice and pro-life groups gathered in Wisconsin's State Capitol to debate a bill that made it into the legislature in just one short week. The bill, sponsored by Representative Andre Jacque (R-2), would make it much more difficult and expensive for a woman to get an abortion and would ban the use of public tax-payer dollars to fund abortions that fall under public employee's health insurance plans. It would also keep employers such as hospitals, schools and organizations with a religious affiliation from having to provide contraceptive coverage in their health insurance plans.

Incoming Editor-in-Chief Abby Becker looks forward to the 2013-'14 year

Hello everyone! I’m Abby Becker, and I will be taking over as editor-in-chief of the nation’s sixth-oldest, independent five-day-a-week student newspaper, The Daily Cardinal.

Outgoing Editor-in-Chief Scott Girard bids us adieu

Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the greatest people at this university. I am lucky I stumbled into this place, and any of you who get the chance to join the staff at this paper during your time here should jump at the chance.

Cramming for the end of the year

This editorial board went over some of the biggest issues this year and looked back to see if there were any lessons to be learned.

Tradition of Mifflin twisted and convoluted

The city’s Mifflin full-court press has dealt dismay to the hearts of thousands who pine for gluttonous amounts of racist neon tanktops and a spectrum of liquor in spring jubilation. Granted, in a world where social media reigns supreme, the people weren’t pleased and didn’t hesitate to respond. People are pissed at the fact their grandiose spectacle has been revoked from them. It’s not Badger-like, it’s not fair and it’s unnecessary.

Jason Collins' coming out sets the right example for LGBTQ individuals