We present our weekly review of selected student columnists and opinion writers. In this edition they urge fellow journalists to be honest and bold when quoting public figures, recommend the vegetarian lifestyle, probe the limits of respecting cultural differences and what you might be prepared to do in response to the world’s approaching population crisis.
- Although they deplore Alabama’s recently enacted immigration law, the editors of the IU Daily Student argue that the fault lies with the federal government and the Congress, which has repeatedly punted on the issue instead of addressing it.
- Religious belief is undeniably a fundamental part of the human experience world wide, notes a writer for the Iowa State Daily. But here in America, he thinks that some people, especially presidential candidates, need to keep their own beliefs out of the political process.
- On the other hand, while conceding that religious observance and Amherst College often don’t make for an easy fit, a freshman columnist tells readers of the Student how he’s found a combo that works for him.
- If you’re trying to find your way between the Tea Party and the Occupy Wall Street movement, a commentator for the Harvard Crimson suggests that the moderate stance of Martin Luther King, Jr. can provide useful guidance.
- News reporters should quote ‘em as they spoke, says the copy editor for the Auburn Plainsman, and not be deterred by excessively sensitive journalistic ethics. Even if you’re quoting the President.
- At the University of Florida, Gainesville, the editors of the Independent Alligator seem to have reached the limits of respecting cultural differences.
- Plagiarism is plagiarism, say the editors of the University Daily Kansan, and they argue that faculty offenses should be held to the same standards as those of students.
- Affirmative action policies inspire contrasting commentaries in the Washington University/St. Louis Student Life Online: this one, which argues that they’re inherently racist, and this rebuttal, which holds that they’re both justifiable and necessary.
- In a similar face-off in the UNV Sagebrush, two writers weigh the probable impact of the Obama administration’s jobs bill. One thinks it will indeed create jobs, but a colleague thinks it’s more likely to make the economy tank further.
- Most of us haven’t noticed, but the world’s population continues to expand towards the crisis point, says an op ed columnist for the Ohio University’s Post. Are you going to do anything about it?
- A letter writer to the UCLA Daily Bruin takes strong exception to the remarks of a recent guest speaker on campus and generates a lively comments thread in response.
- Have you ever thought of giving vegetarianism a try? It’s really not so bad, says one of the editors of the University of Delaware’s Review, and you’ll also be making the earth a better place to live.
