No future in exclusion: Republicans should move beyond discriminatory ideology

Last week’s controversy surrounding the ousting of the Duke College Republicans’ chairman, Justin Robinette, sent red flags flying all over the place. From Independent Weekly to the Huffington Post, allegations that the young Republican had been outed, ousted and barraged with hate speech sent bloggers reeling.

Where there’s smoke…: Hookah Bliss deserves an exemption from state law

After several months of defiant civil disobedience, Adam Bliss, owner of the popular Chapel Hill hookah establishment Hookah Bliss, has decided to comply with North Carolina’s new indoor smoking regulations. He did so by parting with his Alcoholic Beverage Commission permit, which means that his shop will not be able to sell alcoholic beverages any longer.

Grand reductions: ASG should have adopted amendment to cut stipends

The Association of Student Governments has yet again failed to demonstrate that it is dedicated to reform that would produce tangible benefits for students.An amendment cutting some officer stipends to a more reasonable level in exchange for more money for campuses was overwhelmingly defeated during Saturday’s meeting.

Cartoon for April 27, 2010

Talk, text in a car — Are you drunk!?

I have a hypothetical situation for you to consider. You are leaving a party and are faced with the option of riding shotgun with a buddy who’s knocked back a few gin and tonics or a friend who is constantly on the cell phone. Surprisingly, this is not a no-brainer.

Cartoon for April 26, 2010

Walk this way: SafeWalk program should expand to locations off campus to better address student needs

SafeWalk needs to be expanded to off-campus locations. This expansion should be underwritten by the University as part of fulfilling its commitment to student safety. At last week’s SafeWalk Advisory Board Meeting, student leaders presented statistics that point to a great start for the program and discussed scenarios for expansion of its coverage area.

Ask and tell: Senior unfairly discharged from ROTC; UNC should take a stand against discriminatory Army policy

The antiquated “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy that prohibits openly gay individuals from serving in the U.S. military has reached an all-time low. Now it has extended its deleterious effects to the University. Senior Sara Isaacson identified herself as a lesbian to the Army ROTC earlier this semester. The response that followed was nothing short of egregious.

Don’t disrupt speech: Protesters should let Tancredo speak; the former congressman’s ideas will do enough to discredit him

Protestors have promised that resistance to today’s visit by former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., will not go unnoticed.Last year, when UNC students gathered to protest Tancredo’s presence, a window was broken, pepper spray was in the air and the former U.S. congressman’s speech was cut drastically short to only about five minutes.

Not all about bra-burning: Feminism a broad movement about eliminating barriers

When Phyllis Schlafly spoke on campus last Monday, I expected an interesting and relevant critique of modern feminism. As a proud Republican myself, I was interested in the point of view of a fellow female conservative.I should have known better. Instead, I was disappointed that yet another member of my political party just doesn’t get it.

Different kind of kvetching board

A different kind of kvetching board made its way onto campus earlier this month. Cornerstone, a Christian student group, placed a blank board outside the Pit to allow students to write down the reasons why they are not Christians. The responses ranged from questions about hell to doubts about the veracity of the Bible.

Different kind of kvetching board

A different kind of kvetching board made its way onto campus earlier this month. Cornerstone, a Christian student group, placed a blank board outside the Pit to allow students to write down the reasons why they are not Christians. The responses ranged from questions about hell to doubts about the veracity of the Bible.

Can you hear me now?: UNC right to look to faculty for classroom advice

UNC administrators are getting behind a novel approach to improving efficiency and academic quality at the University: talking and listening to faculty to figure out best practices.

Just do it the right way: Nike, like any company, deserves UNC’s scrutiny

The University’s questioning of Nike following the closing of two of its subsidiary’s factories represents the right amount of scrutiny of the company’s operations.

Cartoon for April 23, 2010

Cartoon for April 22, 2010

Please bring back the old media

Here we are at the end of the year, and while there is a wealth of topics to consider for my last column, I feel I must be rather old-fashioned today and criticize our culture’s current obsession with “social media.” And I’m okay with being old-fashioned on this particular issue. Because as college students, we are nothing if not social.

Stop the spam

University Career Services provides a wonderful service for those going into the workforce. But its incessant e-mails advertising networking events and job fairs are becoming more like spam every day.E-mails from UCS are not sent to students based on a listserv subscription.

Drill, baby, drill

The University might seem like a safe place. But that shouldn’t stop the UNC Department of Public Safety from being prepared for the worst.And it hasn’t.The University participated in an active shooter simulation on campus Wednesday at the Outdoor Education Center.

Pursue plea bargain

To the relief of the UNC  community and former Student Body President Eve Carson’s family and friends, Demario James Atwater pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges related to Carson’s death. Atwater’s plea bargain is the first big step in bringing long-needed closure in the wake of Carson’s death.