Stories, not policy, define pols

By Steve Michalkow / January 29, 2008

Reading the recent coverage of the presidential election from Iowa through New Hampshire, Michigan, and beyond, I have been thoroughly impressed with the news media’s ability to spin a good yarn. The coverage of the Clinton/Obama tête-à-tête has by now bested Don King’s boxing showmanship; Mitt Romney’s disappearing/reappearing status as contender follows a plot line...

The wrong prescription

By Maroon Editorial Staff / January 25, 2008

The Student Care Center’s (SCC) recent decision to cease offering emergency contraceptives doesn’t reflect the best interests of the student body and should be rescinded. The SCC is a place where students can comfortably receive free condoms, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing, nutrition counseling, and other services from doctors and nurses trained to work on...

A roundhouse kick to the Huck–Chuck alliance

By Ethan Stanislawski / January 25, 2008

The needs of an ironic generation have overridden better judgment before. From forcing people to utter the words “Governor Schwarzenegger” to adding to the fortunes of Anheuser-Busch by “ironically” drinking Budweiser, there have been lots of cases where being ridiculous for the sake of being ridiculous has run counter to sincere political goals. Right now,...

Ross’s keynote remarks don’t do MLK Day justice

By Matt Barnum / January 25, 2008

Political partisanship in this country gets an unfair rap. Just about every election cycle—especially this one—candidates call for “bi partisan solutions,” an end to political bickering, and “unity.” (Of course, when politicians demand unity, they just want people to come over to their side, not actually meet half way.) In truth, our nation’s vigorous partisanship...

Hope not so audacious after all

By Ryan McCarl / January 25, 2008

Hillary Clinton’s victories in the New Hampshire and Nevada primaries have given supporters of Barack Obama reason for concern. The process is far from over, and it will be some time yet before the Democratic Party has a nominee. But one thing is clear: The euphoria that we Obama supporters felt after his comfortable victory...

Bursting the Bartlett balloon

By Claire McNear / January 25, 2008

There is a balloon inside Bartlett. Many have noticed it, though few have discussed it, out of fear, perhaps, that those charged with the maintenance of such things will once again assault the University with demands for more money. But the time has come to take action against this elephant in the room—or this balloon,...

Lost in a dying supermarket

By Avi Garelick / January 25, 2008

Walking into the Co-op Market in its final days was an act that required some bravery and an indefatigably optimistic temperament. I would know. I tried it last week. It was a discomfiting experience, and quite frankly, it made me feel like a looter. As I roamed the barren and dusty shelves, scouring them for...

Primary frontloading pays off

By James Conway / January 25, 2008

Racing toward February 5, it has become increasingly clear that for the first time since 1988 we have a primary election where neither nomination has been decided before the “Super Tuesday” states have voted. At this point, it’s even money on who will take the Democratic Party’s nomination. On the other side, the Republican race...

The divine right of King

By Nathan Bloom / January 18, 2008

As Martin Luther King Day approaches, it is worth remembering that King’s belief in the justice of civil disobedience, the cornerstone of his precious legacy, was once unthinkable. While it is obvious to us that there are just laws we must obey and unjust laws we should sometimes flout, the idea that conscience and not...

U of C students weather winter with frosty resolve

By Marshall Knudson / January 18, 2008

Back in grade school, celebrating the new year was like cutting the last corner of the Indianapolis 500. We’d hold our collective breath as the teacher chalked the four digits that would now grace the headings of our papers. Chipper phrases like “zip into 1997” or “slide into 1998” expressed the force with which we...

When life gives you hurdles, remember the turtles

By Zack Hill / January 18, 2008

I spent much of my youth pretending to be a Ninja Turtle. Along with several friends (including one girl, who was rather cruelly forced to be my friend), I defended my neighborhood from the dastardly Shredder and the dangers of Ooze. Even at a young age, I knew that I would never become a Ninja...

A level-headed policy

By Maroon Editorial Staff / January 18, 2008

The Red Bull and Chipotle burritos were appreciated, but the real significance of Monday’s A-level re-opening was in the politics, not the free food. Four quarters after the all-night study space was transformed into shelf space, its conversion back into a cozy, sociable venue demonstrates the potential of Student Government (S.G.). Students were understandably upset...