November/December 2007
Hate crimes challenge University of St. Thomas
Recently, St. Thomas has been bombarded with acts of racial discrimination. This is not the first time for such occurrences. Sadly, it seems that there are a few individuals within our campus who feel a need to express an intolerance of others. Why anyone would feel a need or desire to act out in such a way honestly baffles me.
Don't run interference for reckless investors
You can't go anywhere these days without someone talking about how horrible the economy is. Today we are faced with soaring fuel prices, a housing market slump, and the job outsourcing. Is the situation really as wretched as popular thought carries on? It would seem so, if you observe how resolutely the Federal Reserve is continually interfering with our free market, in an effort to fix these "wrongs."
Putin's diplomatic cunning threatens freedom
From the end of World War II, until the eventual collapse and dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the Western world was engaged against the Russian communist state and its allies in a bitter struggle known as the Cold War.
Tired of negative news stories and films?
If a small entrepreneur, thinking outside the box and going against the crowd can start Microsoft, who's to say that a social entrepreneur can't start a revolution in the way we think and communicate? If it was technology that allowed Bill Gates to start his revolution, it will also be technology that frees closeted ideas and fosters forums for open debate and discussion on college campuses and in society at large.
12 Days of Christmas
It's almost "that time of the year" and if you're a Christmas junkie like me, you are probably decorating your apartment, watching all the classic Christmas movies and listening to all the traditional songs. One of our traditional songs, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is usually seen as simply a nonsense song for children. However, some have suggested that it is a song of Christian instruction dating to the 16th century religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic teachings of the Catholic Faith.
Comparing of Catholic political movements in U.S. and Europe
Walking through the center of Rome everyday on my way to class, I find myself surrounded by Catholicism.
Like lakes and Target stores in Minnesota, there are no shortages of beautiful Catholic churches and basilicas in Rome. I have become increasingly aware of the overwhelming acceptance of the Catholic Church here, and why wouldn't I? After all, this is where the first disciples of Jesus came after His death and resurrection.
Supreme Court to determine scope of 2nd Amendment
30 years ago, the District of Colombia (D.C.) passed one of the nation's strictest gun control laws. Until recently, this law remained unchallenged and a part of the D.C. area's attempt to reign in crime. While crime rates have fallen, they have dropped at the cost of civil liberties. This law bans all private handgun ownership. While private citizens may own rifles they must remain in the home, unloaded, and either disassembled or with a trigger lock in place.
Facing the realities of minimum wage
Minimum wage appears to be a very hot issue in current events. We see a lot of news regarding minimum wage and discussion heats up every time it is increased. In fact, however, the minimum wage is not as big an issue as the media can make it out to be.
Students get whipped into shape at political bootcamp
When most people think of boot camp, they picture scenes from movies like Full Metal Jacket or Jarhead where Marines are crawling under barbed-wire, leaping over giant logs, and scaling enormous walls. But for those students who have survived the “Boot Camp of Politics,” they can attest to the fact that it consists of intense mental and physical exertion of a much different level than that of the USMC.
Note from the Editor
It’s the holiday season and the snow is beginning to fall without reservation, as Christmas approaches us during this Advent. We are coming towards the celebration of Christ’s birth—and this is a time to prepare ourselves.
