Like many college students, when I hear the words “free college tuition,” I become ecstatic and automatically think it is a good idea. With Gustavus costing approximately $50,000 a year, having free college tuition would cause a large change in student loans and work-study. But is the concept of “free college” really so great? If college were to be free, then it would only be … Continue reading Free Tuition: Too Good To Be True
I went back home to Texas during winter break, and I found that a lot of things have changed. Many people rang in the New Year with alcohol and food. The people of Texas however, rang in their New Year with a new law, “License To Carry.” This law includes the open carry law. To simplify this in layman’s terms, thanks to House Bill 910, … Continue reading License to Scare
For those who know me, I’m a very emotional person. A good book, listening to a story, watching a film, or hearing other people tell me their hopes and dreams, all these things and more can hit me with cascades full of diverse emotions, bringing tears to my eyes or laughter to my lips. Being emotional also means that I’m very sensitive, but that isn’t … Continue reading Bridging the Empathy Gap
As you read this, the world is suffering from the effects of global climate change. The oceans are becoming more acidic, plankton are dying at an unnatural rate, and entire species have gone or are going extinct within our lifetime. Brazil and Ethiopia are facing some of their worst droughts on record, with no end in sight. California is also facing water shortages following a … Continue reading Desperate Push for Relocation
Being fifty years old and still paying student loans seems to be the path our generation is predetermined to follow. Over the past four decades college tuition in the United States has skyrocketed like never before. As CNBC reports; the average cost of tuition and fees at a private, non-profit, four-year university in the 1970’s was $1,832 (in current dollars). Now we’re looking at a … Continue reading Paying for a Chance at a Better Life
The politics of the United States are broken into two very select parties: Democrats and Republicans. Sixteen of our presidents were Democrats, and eighteen were Republicans. That means there were ten presidents, who were neither Democrats nor Republicans. One was an independent, one was a federalist, four were Whigs, and the other four were Democratic-Republicans. Then in 1824, the party split, effectively changing the fate … Continue reading Breaking Down Political Parties
Whoa, so I may be about to put out one of the more controversial pieces that we have seen in a long time. However, something that has been weighing heavily on my mind recently is peace and how we approach this as Americans and as a society in general. After sitting through countless hours of Christmas in Christ Chapel, saying hundreds of prayers, and singing … Continue reading The Naiveté That is Peace
Recently, while waiting at a bus stop with friends after a concert in downtown Minneapolis, a man approached us and asked if we had heard the news. “What news?” I asked, not sure if he was referring to Trump’s fascist rise to power, the San Bernardino shooting, the Planned Parenthood attack, the killing of Jamar Clark, the protests and shootings that followed, or the Paris … Continue reading Don’t Let “Breaking News” Break You
From Dec. 1 to Dec. 3, the International Summit on Human Gene Editing took place in Washington, D.C. with the intention of discussing the pros and cons of human gene editing, and whether it should be allowed at all. For those who are unfamiliar with gene editing, the easiest way to explain it is that science now has the tools to remove and replace damaged … Continue reading The Ultimate Cure or a New Disease?
Snow falls lightly outside, candles twinkle in the window, and dinner sits upon the table. You and your family sit down for a Christmas dinner. A tree stands in the corner covered in ornaments. Beneath it rests some presents for each member at the table, ready to be opened after dinner. Love, joy, and holiday spirit is felt by all, and a wonderful meal enjoyed. … Continue reading Commerical Holidays and Commercial People
