Vox Populi: What May 1st means

Devin Griggs

Opinion Editor

Across the globe, the first of May brings demonstrations, parades and celebrations. Why is that, you might ask? May 1 is the traditional “Labor Day” for just about everywhere in the world outside of Canada, Japan and the United States, all three of which celebrate Labor Day in the fall. Known around the world as “International Labor Day”, “International Worker’s Day”, or simply “Labor Day”, May 1 commemorates the fight for the eight-hour workday and the killing of workers that protested for the eight-hour day (among other things) at Haymarket Square in Chicago on May 4, 1886 (following arrests made of striking workers on May 1, 1886). … Continue Reading

Vox Populi: Investing in our future

Devin Griggs
Opinion Editor

You don’t have to look far to read about the impending or ongoing crisis in education. Whether it’s primary, secondary or higher education, chances are there’s something going wrong somewhere. This is inevitably followed up with the condemnation of teachers for ‘allowing this to happen’. … Continue Reading

Tackling the deficit and weathering the storm

Tamara Sandberg
non-student with the
Kentucky Association of Food Banks

Deficit reduction is an important U.S. national priority, vital to our long-term economic opportunity and security. But just because it’s important doesn’t mean that it can be undertaken without regard to our national values.

Unfortunately, the House Agricultural Committee left values on the sideline this week when it moved forward with a shocking proposal to cut food assistance for our nation’s hungry by over $33 billion. That it was done in the name of deficit reduction does not excuse the fact that cuts to anti-hunger programs at a time when need has never been greater are both reckless and short-sighted. … Continue Reading

Wrather is an exhibit all its own

Paige Graves
senior from
Barlow, Ky.

People often ask me where I work, so I tell them. The response is usually: “Wrather Museum?  There’s a museum on campus?”
I maintain the oldest building on campus and half of the time no one even knows it exists.  It’s pretty unbelievable considering the events I have assisted in scheduling for the past fiscal year.   … Continue Reading

Jaywalking: Racism is ridiculous

John Walker
Opinion Editor

I was sitting at my desk on Tuesday evening and minding my own business as usual when a certain event came to my attention. The National Socialist Movement, otherwise know as Neo-Nazis, have decided to hold a rally at the state capitol in Frankfort on April 21. … Continue Reading

Why you should check out your public library

Paula Ellis
with the
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Deborah Jacobs
with the
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Julia Stasch
with the
MacArthur Foundation

For many of us, the public library will always be synonymous with books.

The books drew us to the library in the first place, helped us discover new worlds – both real and imaginary – beyond our day-to-day experiences. … Continue Reading

Romney, a portrait of new Caesar

Devin Griggs
junior from
Benton, Ky.

The end of Rick Santorum’s presidential campaign signals the beginning of the general election that we’ll follow through November (Gingrich is hanging on until the race gets a terminal disease, in which case he’ll follow his own example in leaving his cancer-stricken wife in the hospital; Ron Paul is little more than a cult leader who will never amount to much in American politics) and it clarifies the position of the modern Republican Party as the ultimate ‘“Manchurian Candidate.” … Continue Reading

It’s time to be moderate

Jon Rowland
senior from
Jonesboro, Ill.

This past week I strolled down the University walkway enjoying the beautiful weather that has recently bestowed itself upon Murray.

It was early afternoon and the walkway was choked with students walking to class while others rushed to various dining venues for a quick lunch. As I navigated my way through this flood of moving bodies my eyes were drawn to the brightly lit and colorfully worded information tent of Murray State’s Alliance group. Attached to the tent was a sign titled “Live Homosexual Acts.” … Continue Reading

Jaywalking: My kind of green

John Walker
Opinion Editor

This past weekend I was working in the gardens out at Pullen Farm digging paths and leveling off rows in the newfound heat when I met a young man with an interesting story. He was in the garden to achieve his volunteer hours for the Bio 103 Saving Planet Earth class. After a few minutes of digging and shoveling I sparked up a conversation with him. He told me he was in the Occupational Safety and Health program here on campus (one of the best in the country) and he was going to be working for a construction company when he got out of school. But this is not just any construction company. This one constructs and erects windmills all around the country, helping build wind farms and move our country toward energy independence. … Continue Reading

Religion is not the answer to our problems

Bill Zingrone
assistant professor f psychology

Rev. Dennis Terry of Louisiana’s Greenwell Springs Baptist Church recently introduced Rick Santorum to his conservative Christian congregation with a fire and brimstone speech exhorting those of us who don’t share his political and religious leanings to leave this country, his America. Google it and take a look. Well I got news for you pastor, your ignorant hate filled ravings don’t go unchallenged anymore. … Continue Reading