Opinion

Opinion

Here's one for the record books

October 26

    Veteran activist and politician Ralph Nader broke the Guinness World Record for the most speeches given in a day on Saturday, making a total of 21 stops all across Massachusetts and topping the previous mark of 15. Currently running as an Independent candidate for president, Nader pressed the importance of having a strong third party to rival the two mainstream ones. Additionally, he tried to make the presidential campaign experience more personal by speaking directly to small communities instead of at mass rallies or via television or radio. Although formerly respected for his activism, including advocacy for automobile safety, Nader now acts as a mere distraction in the crucial election that we face.     Although mildly amusing, this stunt of Nader's is devoid of any larger meaning. As part of his motives, Nader explained that he wanted to win at least 5 percent of the vote nationally so he could participate in future presidential debates. Nader, still under fire for potentially handing the election to President George W. Bush in 2000, now seems utterly unconcerned about doing the same thing this cycle. Third-party candidates can have an important function in elections, but Nader's ranting is a distraction from the repressed economy, America's weakening reputation abroad and a host of other issues that should define the election.     One could argue that Nader is doing a positive service to the country by promoting a third party and giving voters more options to choose from. As a democracy it's nice to think that we have more than two parties to consider. Additionally, third parties can often bring attention to issues that the Democrats and Republicans brush over or ignore. Nevertheless, Nader is hardly the ideal candidate for this job.     In order for a third party to successfully break onto the scene, it would need an interesting candidate who brings new ideas to the table. Even Ron Paul would have made a better third-party candidate, as his libertarian ideals seem to have attracted a surprising number of new voters. Although Nader did touch on important issues that may have not been emphasized as much by other candidates, it is difficult to believe that this played a major role in his decision to go record hunting.     Historically, third parties have never played a major role in American politics, and that's not likely to change anytime soon. If Nader had wanted to do something productive, he should have dropped out of the race and either endorsed one of the candidates or stayed quiet until after Election Day. Unfortunately, Nader didn't get the message after voters' anger in 2000. And while another upset spurred by a third-party candidate seems unlikely, with so much at stake, that's a hard message to ignore.

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Opinion

Obama and Kennedy: More differences than similarities

October 26

All across America, Democrats and liberals constantly announce that Barack Obama is the John F. Kennedy of the 21st century. Certain individuals feel that both Kennedy and Obama are the types of politicians that can transcend politics to improve society for the better.

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Opinion

Obama should be hesitant to embrace Powell

October 26

When rumors were circulating about former Secretary of State Colin Powell's intention to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president about a week before he actually did on the Oct. 19 edition of "Meet the Press," I confided to a friend my belief that such an endorsement would be devastating to the McCain campaign. In light of Powell's decision to officially throw his weight into this election, I cannot pretend that his endorsement does not indeed undermine Sen. John McCain's message and hurt his presidential campaign.

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Opinion

Jumbos get short end of the stick in national polls

October 22

The Daily doesn't typically use this space to trumpet the causes of its sports teams, but we could no longer ignore how the National Field Hockey Coaches Association has shortchanged the Tufts field hockey team of its rightful place atop the national rankings.

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Opinion

Small island, big threat

October 22

As the November election approaches, we are hearing an ever-louder chorus of voices from the left calling on the United States to normalize relations with the oppressive Cuban regime. Advocates of a rapprochement between the United States and the regime claim that our policies have been a failure. They insist that closer economic ties between the two countries would better serve U.S. interests than our current approach toward the regime. Contrary to the assertions of some academics, pundits and talking heads, the embargo has not been a failure. It has been a proven and effective means of keeping the United States safe. Curiously, those who support closer ties with the Cuban regime never discuss the Castro brothers' long record of anti-Americanism. In view of that oversight on their part, a brief discussion of the historical record might serve to shed some light on why we should maintain the current U.S. policies against the regime.

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Opinion

The truth about Sarah Palin

October 22

Over the past two months, followers of both John McCain and Barack Obama have closely examined the vice presidential candidacy of Sarah Palin. When McCain named Palin, the little-known governor of Alaska, as his running mate, he sparked a frenzy unlike any that had come before Palin's selection, as millions attempted to determine (as Palin, curiously, now wonders of Obama), who is Sarah Palin?

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Opinion

In a time of crisis, protect what's important

October 21

In a recent conversation with the Daily, University President Lawrence Bacow cautioned against pushing bricks and mortar at the expense of people. As Wall Street continues to disappoint and the economy plunges, the university will be pushing a lot less bricks in coming months and maybe even years. The planned construction of a sports complex and a lab facility are two of the casualties, with work on them being pushed back as Tufts tightens its belt and pulls in the reins on the endowment.

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Opinion

McCain's Kryptonite

October 21

While the presidential election is still weeks away, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) seems to be on the path to the Oval Office. For the second time in the past decade, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will fail to reach the presidency because of one man: George W. Bush. The 43rd president has proven to be a cancer to a McCain candidacy.

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Opinion

E-Waste: Why efforts to save the environment might hurt it instead

October 20

Most people know that computers and other electronic devices contain toxic materials that can harm both the environment and human beings if not disposed of properly. This is why people are encouraged not to throw their used electronic devices away but rather to responsibly recycle them through an e-waste recycling system. Many companies offer take-back services, in which they will take care of recycling your old electronics for you (usually for a small fee, or the cost of shipping). These programs have made recycling electronics much simpler for the ordinary American, and many concerned citizens have dropped their computers or cell phones off and walked away feeling good about reducing toxic waste in landfills and protecting the environment.

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Opinion

Blurring the lines

October 20

Harvard Law School recently announced that it will be moving to a modified pass-fail grading system starting next fall. Law School Dean Elena Kagan said that the change was motivated by a desire to "promote pedagogical excellence and innovation and further strengthen the intellectual community in which [Harvard Law students] live." Harvard's new system will closely resemble the ones used at the Yale and Stanford law schools.

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Opinion

Tufts students left in the dark

October 19

Why is it that the more I find out about the blackout, the angrier I get? I was angry when I received a phone message five hours in that told me that there was a blackout and not to use candles. Then I was angrier when I heard that the reason they waited so long was to make sure that they could provide useful information but then inexplicably failed to actually do so.

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Editorial

Powell's bipartisan decision

October 19

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on "Meet the Press" yesterday morning, calling Obama a "transformational figure" and criticizing the McCain campaign for its negative tone. He also stated that, in his mind, Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) is not "ready to be president of the United States," should calamity befall Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) while in office. Once considered a likely candidate to be the nation's first African-American nominee for president, Powell told host Tom Brokaw that his choice had nothing to do with race.

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Editorial

Some illuminating ideas

October 19

Blackouts rarely make for a good time. They make it impossible to charge phones, computers and iPods (every college student's nightmare), sneakily reset clocks and turn even the simplest tasks into arduous chores. These issues, however, pale in comparison to the inconvenience of last Sunday's blackout, which came complete with closed dining facilities (except for Dewick), pitch-black residence halls and malfunctioning key fobs.

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Opinion

There is no condom for the heart

October 19

Sex is a part of college life for many Jumbos. Often times, these sexual relationships leave unintended negative emotional consequences, which can affect the ability to maintain a healthy mental, emotional and spiritual balance necessary for having happy marital relationships in the future. While contraception can protect against STDs, sex is far from "safe." Contraceptives cannot protect against the psychological sense of loss and betrayal that accompanies hookups and breakups. Abstinence is a realistic and basic principle preceding sexual happiness that anyone could follow even with the expectations that come with college.

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Opinion

Is higher education ready to support preschool teachers?

October 15

Teaching since 1997, Denise delayed completing college when she had her first child. For the next 10 years, Denise continued to accrue "continuing education units" and "professional development points" that did not count toward a bachelor's degree. About three years ago, Denise again attempted to return to college and finish her bachelor's degree, but was told that she would have to complete several remedial courses in order to fulfill the requirements. Since she only makes about $23,000 annually as a preschool teacher, she cannot afford to take all the courses needed.

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Opinion

Generation Yupster and the dawning of the age of antithesis

October 15

As an expatriate Tuftonian stationed in Washington, D.C. on the eve of an election, I have had ample time to reflect on the relationship between politics and my generation. Washington is abuzz with such a case of election fever that even young people, with their traditionally low voter turnout, are not exempt from the symptoms. It is customary to discuss politics at a rally, in the workplace, at a dinner party, in a convenience store, out at a crowded bar, with your cab driver, in whispers at the movie theater or while you are being mugged. Politics is the subject of greetings, pick-up lines, coffee breaks and pillow talk.

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Opinion

Too soon for sophomores to decide

October 15

With the year barely underway, the Office of Residential Life and Learning (ResLife)is already expecting some sophomores to map out much of the rest of their time at Tufts. We at the Daily think the process has been far too rushed.

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Editorial

The only person that matters

October 13

Two years after Representative Mark Foley (R-Fla.) stepped down from Congress due to a sex scandal involving House pages, his Democratic successor has become embroiled in a scandal of his own.

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Editorial

Give victory a chance

October 13

Defeat, as defined by Merriam-Webster online dictionary, is "frustration by nullification or by prevention of success" or "an overthrow[,] especially of an army[,] in battle" or "the loss of a contest." This same dictionary tells me that success may be described as a "degree or measure of succeeding" or a "favorable or desired outcome." Lastly, and most importantly, victory is "the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist." Why am I giving you dictionary definitions, you ask? The above three words — defeat, success, victory — have been used with such great frequency in respect to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that one needs to understand when and how they may be used. Politicians on each side have preferred words, of course, most notably the Democrats who hail the war as a disastrous affair with impending defeat (some claim the defeat has already happened) and the Republicans who tell the American public that the war is a success, that in some ways we have already won. How is it possible that something of a concrete and tangible nature can have two incredibly different results?

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Opinion

Straight Talk Express derailed

October 8

    Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) calls himself a maverick. He claims that he is all about straight talk. According to Rolling Stone, he once said that he believed elections should be decided "by the examples [candidates] set, by the way we conduct our campaigns, by the way we personally practice politics." McCain said that in the midst of the brutal 2000 presidential primary campaign. Apparently, he doesn't believe in that doctrine anymore.     McCain is determined to win the White House — at any cost. With a month left to go until Election Day, the polls rank him second to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) with 43 percent of the support compared to Obama's 49 percent. It seems that straight talk doesn't sell as well as it used to.     In recent weeks, McCain's presidential campaign has taken a decisively nasty turn, jacking up the number of personal attacks on Obama and drawing attention away from the issues at hand: the crumbling economy, Russia's recent aggression and the Iraq war. According to The Washington Post, a senior Republican staffer who requested to remain anonymous stated, "We're going to get a little tougher, we've got to question [Barack Obama]'s associations. Very soon. There's no question that we have to change the subject here."     McCain learned from the best. After losing the 2000 campaign in large part due to a smear campaign designed to destroy his character, he has engaged in the same tactics this time around. The change of tone in McCain's campaign is palpable. His new television advertisements focus on Obama instead of his own policies. They ask "Who is the real Barack Obama?" and charge Obama with voting for higher taxes 94 times, a claim independent sources across the board have called misleading at best. Other ads call Obama "dangerous" and "dishonorable." Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska), at recent rallies, has spent much of her time tying Obama to former extremist William Ayers.     One could also feel the shift in tone during Tuesday's debate. McCain used the night to make condescending remarks about Obama's voting record and what he has done politically (or failed to do, according to McCain). He even gave Obama a new nickname that has already spawned a couple of t-shirt ideas. The name in question: "That One."     McCain has moved into desperation mode. His efforts to separate himself from the legacy of President George W. Bush have failed and he now finds himself standing on a crumbling political platform. It's time for America to prepare for an old-fashioned mudslinging competition, even if only one side joins in on the fun. What to do when straight talk fails? Take a page from Karl Rove and see what kind of "swiftboat" ads come out.     The gullibility of the American people will soon be tested. How long before another laughable accusation such as the Ayers-Obama connection is concocted by the diabolical political masterminds at the helm of McCain's campaign? The next thirty days will be marked by the lowering of integrity and the type of politics that McCain vowed never to participate in. McCain's Straight Talk Express has turned into the Spin Talk Express, and if he has anything to say about it, it will go full steam into the White House.  

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