Last weekend I purchased one of my favorite collectable items, a locally handcrafted ceramic mug. I couldn’t wait to go home and use it. Then the unimaginable happened: I dropped it. Just as my mug shattered, so did my attitude. I was so mad I was speechless. It was such a stupid thing that could have easily been avoided. Even worse was the fact my … Continue reading A Blessing in Disguise
When the founding fathers of this nation sat in the constitutional convention, they attempted to create a constitution that would produce a government that would not only represent the will of the people, but also be able to prevent one person or branch of the government, from becoming too powerful and tyrannical. The framers clearly intended the legislative branch to be the most powerful of … Continue reading The Overreach of the Executive
Death is always a morbid topic. However, in order for people to understand more about why people die and what can be done to prevent it, there has to be a knowledge of and understanding of facts many people would wish to ignore. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), among young people aged 15-24 years of age, unintentional accidents such as car crashes … Continue reading An Issue that Needs To Be Mentioned
Just before Thanksgiving break a Grand Jury in Ferguson, MO decided not to indict Officer Darren Wilson, who allegedly shot and killed Michael Brown. Debate and discussion surrounding the case, race, and oppression in America was reignited once again. The essence of the dialogue on modern U.S. race relations taking place is great. My opinion on the matter—leave the events of Ferguson out of the … Continue reading Forget About Ferguson
Mexico City is in turmoil. Rioters are flooding the streets and the government pushes back, sometimes using lethal force to subdue the people. The population grows more dissident with every day that passes, and they have quite the list of reasons to be this way. The people are no longer complacent. They want justice. They want a revolution. Mexico has been dealing with civil unrest … Continue reading Mexico in Uproar
This week Kim Kardashian bore all for Paper magazine in a photo shoot with the goal to “break the internet.” Kim is most known for her rear end, as well as having celebrity status largely attained from her family’s fortune. Kim, by exposing her rear, is playing into the current obsession with booty that is also notable in other aspects of pop culture such as … Continue reading Beauty, Body, and Contemporary Lies
Similar to that over-used Game of Thrones meme, finals are coming. It’s that magical time of the semester when no one gets a break, and all that studying and homework just seems to pile up like an academic tsunami waiting to swallow you whole. It’s a time when people’s bodies and minds are pushed to the limit. A friend of mine has a … Continue reading Fighting through Finals
We tend to make things into idols. An example that comes to mind is the Egyptian Empire. Their gods were manifested into enormous stone carvings, draped in gold and jewels, and placed atop enormous marble pedestals. From this location they could observe their kingdom and the people below could stare and praise with wonder and awe in all that they were. Statues, that’s what they … Continue reading Pedestals
In the United States, we have a clear problem with how uninvolved our nation’s youth is in politics and civic activities. At Gustavus we may have a higher rate of civic engagement than other areas of the United States, but we can always do better. There are great opportunities out there for someone that wants to volunteer or get more involved. One of the best … Continue reading Get out and get involved
You may have heard a lot about the recent accomplishment from the European Space Agency (ESA): they managed to land a mobile laboratory on a comet in order to learn about its composition and date the contents of the comet. However, many people are unaware of the actual process of the mission and what it’s really for. Here’s the first mind-blowing fact: this project was … Continue reading Rosetta Has Landed!
