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Opinion

The opinions presented below are solely the views of the author and do not represent the views of The News-Letter. If you are a member of the Hopkins community looking to submit a piece or a letter to the editor, please email opinions@jhunewsletter.com.

McChrystal provides balanced critique

February 28, 2013

General Stanley McChrystal kicked off the Foreign Affairs Symposium last night. In his speech, the four-star general and former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan focused on the importance of understanding differing national perspectives and the significance of international relationships. He spoke at length about the U.S.-Iranian relationship and argued that the events of the past 70 years can be retold differently from both sides. Ignoring one side’s perspective, he concluded, is a recipe for disaster.

How America’s energy policies are stifling growth and innovation

By AGASTYA MONDAL | February 28, 2013

The U.S. federal government invests in many programs that aim to benefit its people, its economy and its global standing. While many of these programs are relatively successful, the U.S. has fallen severely behind is its policy toward technological innovation, especially in the field of energy.

America and Iran: A timeless tale of failure and frustration

By BAYLY WINDER | February 28, 2013

In response to the recent triumph of Argo at the Academy Awards, the Iranian state television channel called the film an “advertisement for the CIA.” This brief exchange serves as a painful reminder of the nature of the U.S.-Iranian relationship, one that has been marked by mutual distrust and deep-rooted animosity.

J-Street U offers refreshing balance

February 21, 2013

Last week, Hopkins J Street U held a discussion about Israeli-Palestinian border disputes. The nationwide organization advocates for a two-state solution to the ongoing conflict. Considering how complicated, relevant and heated this dispute is, this page believes promoting more dialogue to better understand the issues is valuable to a University campus.

Dry Weekend misplaces emphasis

February 21, 2013

From Feb. 8 to Feb. 9, the University implemented a dry weekend policy to curb alcohol use during sorority and fraternity recruitment events. According to the Office of Greek Life, alcohol is already banned from new member activities, but there have been problems in the past with heavy drinking right after sorority recruitment, which is why they chose that particular weekend to be alcohol-free.

Why Obama should scrap the Keystone XL Pipeline

By NICHOLAS DEPAUL | February 21, 2013

This past Sunday, I drove down to Washington, D.C. for a protest against the Keystone XL Oil Pipeline. Proposed in 2005 by TransCanada Corporation, the pipeline has been a hot-button issue for environmentalists and political leaders alike. They argue that its construction will cause irrevocable environmental harm — both by increasing “dirty” carbon emissions and through likely oil spills — and that it will reduce American energy security.

What would Locke do? Why his take on terror matters

By JACOB GRUNBERGER | February 21, 2013

It nearly goes without saying that the Enlightenment fundamentally changed the popular conception of government in society. For the United States, which adopted a constitution out of the ideals of this period of thought, perhaps no thinker was as influential as John Locke, whose writings on the composition and limitations of political institutions sit at the heart of the document that guides our state.

Treat Charles Village like it’s your home

February 14, 2013

The administration recently sent out an email to its Charles Village community contacts, detailing its committment to allay the neighborhood’s concerns regarding students living in off-campus housing. The concerns mostly had to do with the transition from the Student/Community Liason (the Shush Lady) to her successor, the Shush Lord.

Baltimore, take research in stride

February 14, 2013

Stark contrasts in the health of Baltimore residents are evident according to the work of Hopkins researchers. Debra Furr-Holden, an associate professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, states that one of the clearest examples is the 20-year disparity in life expectancy between Roland Park and Upton Druid Heights, two neighborhoods who also have near opposite racial makeups.

New life-saving drug should be approved

By MEGAN CRANTS | February 14, 2013

Most people have heard of staph infections, but not many realize how serious they can be. The staphylococcus bacteria that cause the infection can be commonly found on the human body and generally do not cause any serious problems. The infections can quickly turn fatal, however, if the bacteria enter the bloodstream. This causes bacteremia, otherwise known as blood poisoning. The bacteria can then travel through the blood to infect internal organs, bones, muscles and surgical implants.

Online courses and campus life can coexist

By CAITLIN McDONALD | February 14, 2013

What in the world is a MOOC? It is not some slang word for cows or a creature straight out of the Lord of the Rings. Rather, MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Courses. These are classes taught by professors at various institutions that are offered to the public for free. As a result, often thousands of people enroll. For instance, in 2011, a Stanford professor offered a course that attracted a mind-blowing 160,000 students, shocking universities everywhere.

Haggling over Hagel: Assault on Obama nominee is misguided

By ALEX DRAGONE | February 14, 2013

President Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel, has come under fire. Long before his hearing, Hagel faced attacks on his credentials, views and character reminiscent of Robert Bork’s Supreme Court nomination. Of course, the most vicious of these attacks has been the labeling of Hagel as an anti-Semite. Where does this view stem from? In a 2008 interview, Hagel said:

Rethinking Russia’s renationalization plan

By STEFAN KAY | February 7, 2013

The controversial privatization measures in the 1990s under Boris Yeltsin were widely resented by average Russians. While these measures gave rise to a new class of fabulously wealthy oligarchs, the greater majority of Russian citizens faced a sharp and unprecedented decline in wealth and income.

Hopkins should educate students about suicide

By KRISHNA PATEL | February 7, 2013

The quintessential college experience is often described as a time of exploration and self-actualization. When asked what they would hope to experience during their formative college years, many individuals would be inclined to discuss forging friendships, cultivating meaningful memories and discovering a future profession.

Dialogue necessary to realize ideas

February 7, 2013

During an Intersession class last month, a group of students had the chance to study Baltimore and propose solutions to pressing issues in the community. The class, entitled “B’More: Studying Innovation and Change Through Charm City,” introduced students to recent developments in Baltimore and encouraged them to apply citywide innovation to Homewood. Some of the ideas proposed included a free hugs program, a bike share program and a “Mobile Maintenance” smartphone application.

Lifted ban broadens career choices

February 7, 2013

The Department of Defense (DOD) recently lifted a near 20-year ban on women serving in combat roles in the armed forces. For female cadets in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) here at Hopkins, this change of policy means more jobs to choose from upon graduation.

Cameron’s course causes economic uncertainty

By KAUSHIK RAO | January 31, 2013

The European Union is teetering on survival as the member nations  decide the fates of their fellow debt-ridden countries. Another blow to the unsteady Union came from Prime Minister David Cameron’s government in the U.K.

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