Opinion | Editorial

An honest remark

National Public Radio [NPR] recently terminated the contract of longtime news analyst Juan Williams for his remarks on ["The O'Reilly Factor"] that, according to NPR, "undermined his credibility as a news analyst." After asserting that he is a proponent of civil rights, Williams said, "But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous." Despite his provocative statements, Williams should not have been fired - he was well within his rights to express his personal opinion when he was speaking outside his home news organization. It is impractical to claim that news reporting is independent of bias, and, in this case, it seems that Williams' remarks were viewed as a problem particularly because they seemed to stand contrary to NPR's own editorial views. News organizations must realize that every employee harbors personal beliefs.

A plea for sanity

At a rally last week for Kentucky Republican senatorial candidate Rand Paul, a protestor had her face and neck stomped on by a Paul supporter.

Balancing the narratives: Israel and Palestine

At a university that prizes humanitarianism and the just recognition of all voices in conflict, events like tomorrow's Tufts Sderot Awareness Day present a serious imbalance. Tufts' chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine urges the Tufts community to review contending narratives and hear the Palestinian voice. It is our hope to initiate a campus−wide, inclusive discussion that respectively incorporates all voices on behalf of Israel and Palestine.

Lack of religious knowledge concerning

While the United States is a highly religious country, an assessment of religious knowledge has revealed that the American people are generally not very knowledgeable about matters of general theology and religious history. The survey, conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, consisted of 32 questions pertaining to general knowledge of world religions. Americans, on average, answered only about half of the questions correctly. This finding begs scrutiny by religious and nonreligious people alike.

Quality news doesn't grow on trees

Recognizing that giving content away for free may not be the most lucrative  business model, this week The Boston Globe joined the ranks of some other regional and national newspapers by announcing that it will launch a subscriber-only, fee-based website next year.

More consistent surplus distribution needed

The Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate's newest plan for the allocation of surplus funds, most of which are leftover from the Student Activities Fee, proves to be another lacking, albeit honorable, attempt at fairly distributing this money.

Say it right

College, at its most basic level, is about learning through the exchange of different ideas and beliefs. While every student has the right to express his or her opinion in a classroom setting, however, the question of whether a professor should be allowed the same degree of expressive freedom begets no simple answer.

Stop pervasive homophobic speech

The recent, tragic death by suicide of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi, one of five deaths by suicide among gay youths around the country reported in the last few weeks, has stirred up conversations about the importance of tolerance on college campuses. Homophobic bullying has played a prominent role in some of the deaths, which have left some scratching their heads, wondering how homophobia and bullying are still rampant when so much energy has been dedicated to eliminating them.

Support the troops, but don't cover up for them

"Support our troops" is an American mantra. It is a phrase plastered on our SUVs and stamped on our front yards. To a politician, these three words are hallowed ground. The U.S. military defends our freedoms, protects our borders and makes sacrifices for our country: These phrases form the current U.S. military narrative.

Maintain American pressure on Netanyahu

The Obama administration yesterday desperately tried to salvage the Israeli−Palestinian peace process, calling for a 60−day extension of the Israeli settlement construction freeze that expired on Sunday. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may rebuff the administration's plea, President Barack Obama must stand strong and continue to oppose the expansion of Israeli settlements. Failure to do so will likely mark the death knell of current Middle East peace negotiations — a threat to American national security and our nation's strategic interests in the region.

Sexual assault updates send positive message

After an extensive, yearlong review, the collaborative efforts of Students Active in Ending Rape (SAFER), the Tufts Community Union Senate and the administration have resulted in the crafting of Tufts' new sexual assault policy and adjudication process.

Thawing Tufts' Hiring Freeze: An Investment in the Future

The Tufts administration's gradual "thaw" of the university's two year old flexible hiring freeze has brought on 30 new faculty members and is a strategic move in a time of economic recession. Emerging from the economic crisis in an advantageous position relative to that of other universities, Tufts has been able to offer competitive salaries and benefits which have attracted professors from around the country. While budget constraints have forced the university to put projects such as renovating athletic facilities or providing need blind admissions to incoming students on hold, bringing some of the nation's best and brightest professors to campus is a worthy investment in the education of current and future Jumbos.

An investment in Tufts' future

The Tufts administration's gradual "thaw" of the university's two−year old flexible hiring freeze has brought on 30 new faculty members and is a strategic move in a time of economic recession. Emerging from the economic crisis in an advantageous position relative to that of other universities, Tufts has been able to offer competitive salaries and benefits which have attracted professors from around the country. While budget constraints have forced the university to put projects such as renovating athletic facilities or providing need−blind admissions to incoming students on hold, bringing some of the nation's best and brightest professors to campus is a worthy investment in the education of current and future Jumbos.

The Daily Beast's crime statistics don't add up

The Tufts community was shocked last week to learn that its leafy green campus topped a list of the 50 most dangerous colleges in the country. The blogosphere, Twittersphere and local media went crazy as university officials tried to save face.

A forgotten victim of government belt-tightening

Targeting one's own citizens

Battle against alcohol abuse has just begun

Keep talented students in the United States

Those who follow politics may feel like they spend most of their time waiting for the nation's laws to catch up to the morals on which they were raised.

New university president has big shoes to fill

University President Lawrence Bacow will leave an impressive legacy when he steps down in 2011. Bacow has since joining Tufts in September 2001 dedicated himself to increasing aid to ensure that Tufts is financially accessible. He has also worked extensively to strengthen the alumni network and to raise the funds needed to ensure that Tufts continues to be an international leader in both education and research. Bacow's level-headed leadership helped Tufts navigate the recent global economic crisis without being drastically impacted by the difficult financial situation. On a more personal level, Bacow and his wife Adele Fleet Bacow's hospitality and openness to the Tufts community are worthy of thanks and celebration.

University's handling of water emergency laudable

This weekend's water main break in Weston couldn't have come at a worse time for many Tufts students. Not only did Saturday's Spring Fling leave worn−out Jumbos feeling thirsty after the concert, but the warm weather of the last few days has made it particularly difficult for students on and off campus to cope with the lack of clean water.