Ballot approval alleviates California prison overcrowding


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In 2011, the United States Supreme Court investigated the health and safety standards of the California prison system and determined that overcrowding made inmates’ stays comparable to cruel and unusual punishment. They then ordered a reduction of California prisoners by 110,000, and even that still leaves the California prison population to 137 percent capacity. Proposition […]

Proposition 47 dangerously redefines crime in California


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When Proposition 47 was approved late last year in a 60-40 margin, human rights advocates rejoiced. The ballot introduced less severe sentencing for nonviolent crimes, unless the perpetrator has a prior record of “murder, rape, certain sex offenses or certain gun crimes.” Many felonies, such as stealing and personal use of drugs, would be demoted […]

Medical advances rely on stem-cell research


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I once saw a particularly astute bumper sticker on the car of an outspoken high school science teacher. It read: “Support stem cell research; grow Bush a brain.” Though hyperbolic — we’ve yet to actually grow an entire brain from stem cells — the sticker effectively conveyed the sense of frustration that has characterized the decades-long […]

GOP should stop holding DHS hostage


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When Otto von Bismarck compared the process of making laws to making sausage — saying in both cases it is better not to observe the process — he likely never imagined that sausage factories like Congress would keep accidentally shutting themselves down. And yet, come Feb. 27, the Department of Homeland Security is scheduled to […]

ISIS threat to western world persists


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This week, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) released a video depicting the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya. The video is the latest demonstration of the level of communication ISIS has within its satellite groups. Before I begin, I want to say that I am a Coptic Christian myself. […]

AUMF enaction would be dangerous


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In 2002, a young state senator from the 13th district of Illinois had this to say about former President George W. Bush’s proposed war in Iraq: “I don’t oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war.” As he spoke, the nation hurdled […]

Address would derail Israeli politics


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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address a joint session of Congress on March 3 at the invitation of House Speaker John Boehner. Considering the tradition of notifying President Barack Obama of scheduled congressional speakers, it is rather odd for Netanyahu to give a speech in the United States without prior consultation with […]

More complex female roles needed


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In late January, tabloids across the Internet announced the four leads for Paul Feig’s reboot of Ghostbusters. As if a remake of the 1984 classic weren’t great enough, Feig’s Ghostbusters quartet features actresses Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon. Yes, that’s right — all four leads are female. Unfortunately, sexist scum reminded […]

Greater measures to eliminate sexual violence are most needed


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As victims of sexual assault, survivors have an important choice to make: whether to report the crime or not. Should the victim choose to report the assault, the best chance at successful prosecution requires no cleansing, use the bathroom or change clothes. These steps are needed to complete a forensic exam, which collects DNA from […]

Election should highlight greater USG transparency


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When Undergraduate Student Government election campaigning commenced on Jan. 21, multiple reforms were proposed by the party platforms. All, of course, were designed to better the undergraduate population, though few allowed the participation of the entire student body. In this election, greater transparency in USG, which gives students a collaborative role in policy changes, should […]