Opinion - The Daily Cardinal

OPINION

Republican Party needs to get back to the basics to remain relevant

By Jeff Birnkrant | Sep. 23, 2013

Political views kept private are no views at all, just mere thoughts. Until one takes action and speaks out, then you’re truly not doing yourself justice. I recently decided to take matters into my own hands, as it seems the Republican Party is going down in flames. The only true way progress can be made on strengthening a party that is so divided is by speaking the truth to those of the party who ruin it for the rest of us. What happened to the Republicans who ended the Vietnam War and started welfare programs across the country? They have vanished or switched parties. Now we are left with this moderate, pragmatic type of Conservative who really embodies no views of his or her own and will adapt to public opinion for votes. Or you have your run-of-the-mill extreme Conservative who takes cover under a Libertarian umbrella whenever accosted. Almost like how Jon Stewart can hide behind his comedic veil when ripping politicians to shreds.

OPINION

US must shift focus to domestic issues

By Chandler Denhart | Sep. 23, 2013

Commonly heard sayings in our country these days include, “‘Murica,” “We’re the best”, and “America, hell yeah.” Often, phrases echoing the same idea are declared by the many proud citizens of the United States. We inhabit the world with a slightly raised chin, and perhaps rightfully so. The idea of America being the greatest country on Earth has been prevalent for quite some time, continually being reinforced by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, response to national tragedies like the Twin Towers attack and other unifying events such as natural disasters. Why is it that we are so great? Is it because we are ranked No. 17 in global education as reported by the International Business Times? Perhaps it is due to our No. 174 ranking in infant mortality? I think the fact that we spend the second-most money on Healthcare compared to the world, yet are ranked No. 51 in life expectancy, is a contributing factor. Don’t take my word for it, though, let us look at the facts.

OPINION

Congress fails to adequately represent women and minorities

By By Genevieve Globus | Sep. 19, 2013

Around the world, quotas have been implemented into different countries’ government and parliament systems for the people in power to more accurately reflect the population of that country. Despite the quota’s ability to get women and minority groups more accurately represented, the United States continues to reject implementing quotas into its Congressional branch.

OPINION

Losing shared governance is losing our voice

By The Daily Cardinal Editorial Board | Sep. 18, 2013

Whether we’re aware of it or not, members of the University of Wisconsin System community are part of something unique. We are part of a system in which students, staff and faculty are each given the opportunity to have a say in the decisions made that impact the educational community they participate in through the idea of “shared governance.” But changes to this structure are a matter of “when, not if.”

OPINION

College costs must be taken more seriously in legislature

By Andrew Haffner and Alex Holland | Sep. 18, 2013

Last week, state Senate and Assembly Democrats walked down State Street to hear students’ perspectives on the current student loan crisis. The event featured state Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, as well as state Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, and state Rep. Chris Taylor, D- Madison, among several others.

OPINION

Nina Davuluri, Miss American Progress

By Veena Tripathi | Sep. 18, 2013

I am sure many of you have already heard about the negative backlash against the new Miss America, Nina Davuluri. If you have not, here are some excerpts from Twitter of some things that were said Sunday night, complete with my own sarcastic commentary.

OPINION

State's reaction to protesters is too aggressive

By The Daily Cardinal Editorial Board | Sep. 16, 2013

For the past two years and eight months, there have been people protesting against Gov. Scott Walker at the Capitol building more or less every day. That is remarkable for many reasons, but last month, when what appears to be a non-belligerent attendee at a typical protest was violently thrown to the ground and arrested by no less than five Capitol Police officers, it was proof that, remarkably, tensions still run incredibly high and what the administration is doing to quell the standoff is not working.

OPINION

Increasing minimum wage detrimental

By Steven Nemcek | Sep. 16, 2013

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.

OPINION

Bias toward women in the classroom must be eliminated

By Genevieve Globus | Sep. 13, 2013

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.

OPINION

I dare you to read this entire thing

By Jesse Kiley and Haleigh Amant | Sep. 13, 2013

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.

OPINION

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

By Bruce Grau | Sep. 12, 2013

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.

OPINION

Cyrus' new antics are questionable

By Michael Penn | Sep. 12, 2013

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.

OPINION

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

By David Pabst | Sep. 11, 2013

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.

OPINION

‘Blurred Lines’ creates dangerously blurred lines for sexual assault

By Genevieve Globus and Haleigh Amant | Sep. 11, 2013

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.

OPINION

Syrian compliance would be victory

By Alex Holland | Sep. 11, 2013

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.

COLUMNS

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

By Brett Bachman | Sep. 10, 2013

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

OPINION

Chancellor Blank remains positive choice

By The Daily Cardinal Editorial Board | Sep. 10, 2013

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.

OPINION

After 121 years of excellence, we are not backing down

By Abby Becker | Sep. 8, 2013

The Daily Cardinal is raising the bar.

OPINION

Potential war in Syria not in public interest

By Jameson Arasi and By Steven Nemeck | Sep. 8, 2013

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.

CAMPUS NEWS

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

By By Allen Zinkle | Sep. 2, 2013

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