Opinion

Cartoon for Oct. 29

Students must heed health reform

Matlock, bingo and health care reform have one thing in common.If you are young, it’s that all three probably do not tickle your fancy, which is a real shame.No, not because you are missing the classic antics of Matlock. What is troubling is that, by ignoring the health reform debate, young people risk being screwed in a big way. That spells trouble for everyone.

QuickHits for Oct. 29

Personal assistantThumbs downA Georgetown sophomore recently placed a classified for a personal assistant to do daily chores. Listen, buddy, quit being a douche and clean your own room. Also, way to break the private school stereotype …Irish pubThumbs upThe newest bar on Franklin Street will be a bona fide Irish pub. The owner plans on bringing decorations directly from Dublin bars. Rumor is it’ll be so authentic that U2 will be the house band.Toilets with water

Varsity blues no more: Now that Chapel Hill will have its downtown movie theater back, students should support it

The Varsity Theatre is an icon in Chapel Hill and needs to be preserved. The iconic theater cannot stumble again, but it’s up to patrons to make it happen.With the theater’s reopening, students have another chance to take in the experience that is the Varsity.And why not, with an updated and fresh venue?The theater will reopen under the new ownership of Susan and Paul Shareshian in mid-November after extensive renovations.The theater will not only be aesthetically pleasing but will have the potential to become the new place to be on Franklin Street.

Concert not so Fabolous: CUAB should have been more proactive in planning Homecoming and choosing performers

The selection of Fabolous for this year’s Homecoming concert leaves much to be desired.While Fabolous does have some appeal, he is not worth the money that he is being paid.CUAB President Amanda Kao would not say exactly how much that is, but confirmed it is about three-fourths of their $65,000 concert budget.That figure comes out to about $48,000, about $22,000 less than what was paid last year for two groups that are more current and have broader appeal: The Avett Brothers and Gym Class Heroes.

Czajkowski would improve town’s business climate

TO THE EDITOR: I am writing in support of Matt Czajkowski’s campaign for mayor.Czajkowski is best qualified to be mayor of Chapel Hill for a variety of reasons, but the one most relevant to me is his devotion to improving the climate for small and emerging businesses in Chapel Hill.

Kleinschmidt would keep Chapel Hill’s values intact

TO THE EDITOR: I have known Mark Kleinschmidt for more than 10 years. He is a seasoned leader and consensus-builder. During my tenure as chairwoman of the Public Housing Program Advisory Board, I found him to be one of the most informed, hands-on and responsive members of the Town Council.

Brownstein’s plans would be asset to school board

TO THE EDITOR:I would like to take this opportunity to endorse Michelle Brownstein for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education. I have known Brownstein and her family for four years, and I can personally attest to her candidacy, credibility and character. Brownstein sets three priorities in her vision for improving the educational outcomes of our district’s youth.

Homeless shelter provides chance to care for needy

TO THE EDITOR:While Wednesday’s article (“Parents fear shelter move,” Oct. 28) did much to bring about an awareness of a very touchy subject, the two supporting pictures used and their close proximity to one another was a real bloody-shirt technique that I feel was most inappropriate!

Cartoon for Oct. 28

Czajkowski endorsement in DTH was contradictory

TO THE EDITOR: I am confused by the editorial board’s contradictory endorsement of Matt Czajkowski for mayor of Chapel Hill (“Czajkowski for mayor,” Oct. 21). Mark Kleinschmidt is obviously the best choice.The editorial board eloquently outlined Kleinschmidt’s many attributes, failing only to note that Kleinschmidt is the only candidate that has sought widespread student feedback for his campaign and, like Czajkowski, is very committed to revitalizing Franklin Street and Chapel Hill businesses.

Today’s public transit not the solution to oil usage

TO THE EDITOR:Tim Freer’s column (“Investing in public transit is crucial,” Oct. 27) admirably calls attention to the pressing issue of the drain the automobile places on the world’s oil reserves. Public transit as it exists today, however, fails to address this problem. Although great strides have recently been made in the development of clean energy for use by the industry, the vast majority of vehicles in service with transit providers continues to burn gasoline.

Hunting a viable solution to deer overpopulation

TO THE EDITOR:

Abundant options exist after Carolina

Most seniors find their final year in college to be a mixed bag. Senior year brings with it three years of Chapel Hill know-how so that you can spend your last months of college doing what you most enjoy and with whomever you want. But it’s also your last big dance.It’s your last Halloween on Franklin Street and your last season to enjoy Carolina vs. Duke basketball games as a student.Senior year is fun. But it’s also complex enough without having to stress out about what you’ll be doing with your life a year from now.

Game didn’t force all UNC operating rooms to close

TO THE EDITOR:

Keep them abreast: Cyber breach on study exposes need for noti?cation

The Carolina Mammography Registry is a wonderful tool for cancer research. But those overseeing the registry need to adjust their approach to include notification of those people whose data is being used.Federal law allows for certain types of research to be done without patient consent. The registry is exempt from consent because it requires such a large population to be effective. But recently, the medical school server containing some of the registry’s data was hacked, and the medical records of about 180,000 women were exposed.

NCSSM no exception: Bloat of administrative budget plagues N.C. School of Science and Math and must be curtailed

In today’s climate of budget reductions and administrative cutbacks, the N.C. School of Science and Math’s administrative costs have become unacceptable. Since 2004, NCSSM’s administrative costs have risen a whopping 46 percent, according to The (Raleigh) News & Observer. The overall budget has increased only 36 percent and enrollment has expanded by a mere 70 students, or about 12 percent. What’s more, the actual number of administrative positions has increased by only two.

Funding doesn’t match: Large appropriation to Carolina Students for Life doesn’t accurately re?ect state of abortion debate

Student Congress was a little too generous in appropriating $9,675 dollars to Carolina Students for Life. Congress granted the money to the group to help fund its event, the “Best Abortion Discussion Ever.” Although Congress cut the group’s original funding request of almost $16,500 nearly in half, the end amount is still too much. Congress originally allocated $8,350 to the group. But Carolina Students for Life came back to Congress the night of the event and procured another $1,325.

Cartoon for Oct. 27

Investing in public transit is crucial

The automobile: America’s favorite nephew. Ever since Ford’s introduction of the assembly line, we have had an enthusiastic obsession with our cars. They are a default status symbol, so to speak — they represent the ability to go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as much gas as your wallet can cover. In many ways, the car is the structure of American life.