Gibson’s “Passion” stirs controversy

By Matt Holtzman / February 17, 2004

As I plant myself down with the goal of unleashing some preconceived thoughts about The Passion of The Christ on my unwitting audience, Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant voices claw at one and other inside my head and insist that I do no such thing; but what’s really stopping me? The film, which is set to...

Saving the Point for Hyde Park

By Maroon Editorial Staff / February 17, 2004

Members of the Hyde Park community have been battling the city government over the materials in the retaining wall of Promontory Point for as long as most current College students can remember. When it seemed in these past few months that an agreement was about to be reached, community activists rejected the plans, sending both...

Bush’s national guard scandal is nothing new

By Andrew Hammond / February 17, 2004

Recently, opponents have called into question President Bush’s National Guard service (or lack thereof) during the war in Vietnam. As the son of a Congressman, President Bush was able to fulfill his service in Texas, not Vietnam, as a member of the state Air Guard (I guess in case the Viet Cong crossed the Rio...

Well dressed “outed” conservatives swarm campus

By John Lovejoy / February 17, 2004

This quarter I have written harsh critiques of Howard Dean and Wesley Clark. For my troubles, I got to watch their campaigns circle the proverbial drains as John F-word Kerry cribbed their platforms. The only way Kerry can be stopped now is if, I don’t know, Democrats realize that Michael Dukakis’ former running mate has...

Leila discusses the CTA and dancing for hire

By Leila Sales / February 13, 2004

The CTA has thwarted me once again. It was a devious move on their part, too. Like, you don’t feel especially thwarted when the CTA raises its prices or fails to provide a bus at the appointed time. You expect that sort of behavior from them. If, for some reason, there actually were a #173...

Tim Russert’s non-interview with the president

By Gautham Rao / February 13, 2004

A few weeks ago, Tim Russert phoned the Bush administration and requested an interview with the President. The White House curtly refused, knowing that the President had nothing to talk about other than the Mars rover. Once Bush’s poll numbers began slipping, somebody somewhere in the West Wing thought it wise to call Russert back....

Tips for high-return, low-risk investing

By Christine Wu / February 13, 2004

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of columns from the Blue Chips investing group. Balance is key to high-return, low-risk investing. Most of us are not day traders, nor do we need to be. We have the added benefit of time. Due to this happy bonus, investing more in stocks (versus bonds,...

Both sides must tell their stories

By Maroon Editorial Staff / February 13, 2004

New information regarding the alleged police brutality incident January 24 surfaced this week. An investigation into the incident revealed that Clemmie Carthans, the SSA student allegedly assaulted by the UCPD, is a convicted felon who has served time in prison. Society places obstacles that make it difficult for convicted felons like Carthans to reform their...

Why progressives can support Israel

By Joshua Steinman / February 13, 2004

I think progressives have a soft spot in their hearts for the “little guy.” In fact, I’d say it’s almost inherent to the ideology: progressives believe that government can be a tool to help advance human civilization by uplifting and empowering the disenfranchised and allowing them to bring their talents to the aid of humanity....

America an Israel ally against terror

By John Lovejoy / February 13, 2004

Conservatives support Israel because they want the United States to win the War on Islamofascist terror, just as we triumphed over similar enemies of freedom in the Cold War. To achieve victory, America needs reliable, like-minded friends to join the battle. No nation on earth fits this category more than Israel. We are both modern,...

Marriage Initiative does gays a disservice

By Emily Alpert / February 13, 2004

While gays are throwing themselves at the altar, the White House is throwing the altar at straights. Bush’s Marriage Initiative, a $1.5 billion package, purports to strengthen straight, low-income marriages through counseling; education; and, sometimes, cold, hard cash. Like most apple pie proposals, it’s a mixed bag. Providing desired resources to the underserved, such as...

Cure the disease, not the symptoms

By William Baude / February 6, 2004

The death penalty, we are frequently reminded, is “broken.” The Illinois Commission wanted to reform it with more safeguards while also making it more rare. Former Governor George Ryan granted amnesty wholesale to Illinois’s death row. Poor people with overtaxed lawyers go to the electric chair when rich defendants do not, black defendants are disproportionately...