Opinions

On Sept. 15, Aaron Alexis killed 12 people at the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in Washington, D.C. Compared to previous events, the nation’s response seems muted. Aside from public figures like President Obama’s initial declarations of sadness, the national attitude is  indifference. The shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. last year instigated a nation-wide debate about gun control. The greatest legislative response was the proposal of the Manchin-Toomey amendment, a bipartisan bill drafted by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) that aimed to expand...

I think it would be fair to say that the annual Miss America pageant is considered to be one of the most important national events by our campus community. This year, however, there is a reason to open up campus interest and dialogue on the pageant—or rather the problems that have stemmed from it. Last week, 24-year-old Fayetteville, N.Y. native Nina Davuluri was crowned Miss America, and became the first Indian-American woman to have ever received the title. “As NPR’s ‘Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me’ said earlier, ‘ everyone is...

As we made our return to campus this fall, many of us may have noticed a group of people dressed to impress in the S.U.B. – as corn.  The human corn crop was composed of representatives from WashPIRG, (Washington Public Interest Group), a nonprofit organization that employs the assistance of students to spread awareness on important political issues in the state. Currently at the top of their docket is a support campaign for Washington State Initiative 522. I-522 deals with explicit labeling of genetically modified foods and ingredients, and as...

Following the White House’s claims that on Aug. 21 that the Syrian government used chemical weapons to kill more than 1,400 civilians outside Damascus, the Obama administration has been making a hard push for military intervention in Syria. This approach has been met with widespread criticism both at home and abroad. A Pew study published Monday revealed that 49 percent of Americans oppose airstrikes in Syria if the Assad regime refuses to cede its chemical weapons, while 37 percent approve of the initiative. The White House has also failed to...

A new school year, a new class of freshmen at Puget Sound, which means a chance to go on Passages, the three-day wilderness trip designed specifically to introduce new students to the wonders of the Pacific Northwest. Many older students fondly recall their time spent on Passages – of days spent bonding with a small group of classmates in the great outdoors. However, some students had a less than ideal experience – a sentiment often shared by those students who stayed at base camp, rather than going out on a...

If Washington is to truly move beyond coal, harmful coal trains cannot be allowed to run though its cities. Millennium Bulk Terminals Longview (MBTL) is currently proposing the installation of a coal export terminal in Cowlitz County. The Environmental Impact Statement for MBT website states that the terminal would have the ability to process 48.5 million tons of coal each year. One hearing was already held on Sept. 17 in Longview, and more are to be held in Spokane, Pasco and Vancouver. The proposed terminal plant will cause a variety...

On Monday, May 6, a report titled “Over The Line” by investigative journalist John Carlos Frey was featured on the Washington Post. The report deals with the cases of United States border agents shooting into Mexico, killing and wounding innocent citizens. According to Democracy Now!, “A joint investigation by the Washington Monthly and the Investigative Fund at The Nation Institute has found over the past five years U.S. border agents have shot across the border at least 10 times, killing a total of six Mexicans on Mexican soil.” Amy Goodman...

On Wednesday, April 24, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Metrish v. Lancaster, a murder case from Michigan with potentially massive ramifications in criminal law; more importantly, however, the case asks citizens to engage more meaningfully in how law is made, by whom it is made, and what we expect from our criminal justice system. Burt Lancaster, a former Detroit police officer, was found guilty of murdering his former girlfriend, Toni Kind, in 1994. At trial, Lancaster asserted a defense of “diminished capacity,” a legal defense offered in some...

On Wednesday, the 17th, the Senate failed to pass the Manchin-Toomey amendment. According to CNN’s report on the outcome, this amendment, “would  have expanded background checks to include private sales at gun shows and all Internet sales, while continuing to exempt most sales between family members and friends” The final vote was 54 for and 46 against the proposed amendment. President Obama was clear about this result being very disappointing in his statements to the press after the decision was announced, calling it “a pretty shameful day for Washington.” Considering...

Growing up, I can recall adults in my life reflecting on major historical events like the JFK assassination, the start of the Vietnam War, or hearing of the bombing at Pearl Harbor in much the same way – always saying that they could remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. It wasn’t until last year that I realized one of those moments has already occurred for me. Almost twelve years later, I can picture news footage of the Twin Towers, surrounded by...

There I sat, deep into the night, watching the Boston manhunt unfold before my very eyes. Now that the dust is settling, we have learned all about the “Boston Bombers” and their alleged exploits, from the marathon bombing to the murder of several police officers and the frantic police search that ensued. The events of that evening have me contemplating the way we consume tragedy and news via social media. As I monitored my computer screen that night, hoping and praying the suspect would be captured, I followed hundreds of...