Browsing: Editorials

In Louisiana, state officials are making medical decisions that do not seem grounded in medical reasoning. Ebola hysteria strikes again.

Getting from class to class on time can be tough, especially if you’re walking. There are several elements to consider: where your next class is, when your last professor let you out of class and how fast you walk. The last one of that list does not necessarily matter if you have a moped or a bicycle though.

Earlier this week, Susan Schrijver of Fort Myers, Fla., filed a petition on change.org, a website that hosts a variety of petitions on a large array of topics. The short but blunt petition, which reached 9,299 signatures yesterday, called for the removal of what Schrivjer called “inappropriate” action figures based on the AMC television series “Breaking Bad.”

It’s that time of year again. Cue the frantic scramble of people on the hunt for a Halloween costume that is the perfect combination of current yet witty, and clever without being obscure. A costume that guarantees a conversation wherever you go. Over the years, to ensure such a getup, people have worked to push the boundaries. From bloody cheerleader costumes to illegal immigrants, offensive Halloween costumes have become an annual tradition. This year will be no different.

On Oct. 14 the Lariat published a column by Jeffrey Swindoll titled “Politically correct isn’t always right.” Since the publication, readers have sent the Lariat multiple letters that express disapproval, frustration and even anger about the column and the Lariat’s decision to publish it. The Lariat Editorial Board decided these letters deserve a response because of their emotion and the sensitive nature of Swindoll’s column.

Several times on any given day, students begin to nervously eye their watches, slide their phones from their pockets or glance at hallways where other students are roaming. All this in anticipation of the moment when an instructor finishes a sentence with just the right inflection that signals class is finally over.

Any college student knows that the credit hour is the most important building block of his or her academic experience. Credit hours determine what classes to take, how many to take and determines where class caps are drawn.

Police departments all across America have official working dogs in their department, and for good reason. Dogs help the police search for drugs and explosives and assist in other special areas like search and rescue missions.

Media coverage and talk of Ebola’s threat are spreading around the globe faster than the actual virus. But the messages arriving on people’s social media feeds and what is actually happening aren’t completely aligned.

For the past few years, Baylor has had record-breaking freshman classes. The class of 2016 had 3,739 first-year students and the following class had 3,707 freshmen. The class of 2018 was unexpectedly large, with 4,125 incoming students. With such large numbers, the College of Arts and Sciences has turned its attention to the faculty-to-student ratio in efforts to reduce it with the 10-Year Enrollment Management Plan.

One of the most enduring legacies of modern patriotism in America, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has been a leading force in science and technology throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

Regional accreditation is one of the most important statuses a college or university can obtain. Being regionally accredited lets employers, licensing agencies, graduate schools and others know that a school is has high academic standards and is committed to excellence.

Students from the suburbs of Denver, Colo., took a move straight from the pages of American history last week when they walked out of class and picked up signs to protest a proposed change to their curriculum.

There is little question that obesity is one of the greatest epidemics in America thus far in the 21st century. In response, health officials from across the country have advocated for increased exercise and eating more nutritious foods as ways to lose weight and be healthier.

The Texas Tech chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity has been suspended for an incident at one of its parties. On display was a banner approving of rape and a water sprinkler shaped like the female genitalia. Their actions crossed the line. The men of this frat did not only degrade women; they also promoted rape.

A Baylor research study recently found that seminaries do little to equip pastors to recognize psychological distress among their congregants and when to refer those members to a doctor.

In the courtroom that is the media, everything is admissible. All evidence, whether it is damaging or not, is released to the jury that is the American public. Innocent until proven guilty is not guaranteed. People are being punished just because they are accused of a crime.

Facebook has revolutionized the way that not only social media works, but even how the entire Internet has developed. While previous social media sites were not tied to actual identity, Facebook has a rule in place that requires users to register with their real name.

People generally expect police officers to be armed. However, there is a growing sentiment in America that some weapons in the hands of police officers are unnecessary and, in the worst cases, are used to intimidate or reinforce positions of power.

Currently, the U.S. is sending up to 3,000 troops to Liberia to help stop the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, and that is a good thing.

There is tension in San Antonio between some residents and Chief of Police William McManus over possible restrictions on giving to panhandlers.

When one thinks of Scotland, few see it as a vitally-important entity on the world stage. In recent months, however, Scotland has risen to a heated topic in Europe and around the world because of the Scottish Parliament’s recent push for independence.

It is sometimes viewed as pessimistic to have to choose the lesser of two evils, but many times it comes to that.

Ever since the U.S. entered Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s brutal regime in 2003, the country of Iraq has seen little (if any) form of true stability.

Baylor students are representatives of their university. It is up to those attending Baylor shape the university’s reputation.

Issues are always more complex when it comes to making policy for the military. In war, the enemy doesn’t care about good intentions or political correctness. U.S. service members’ lives and our national security are on the line every time a policy is made or changed.

The Pledge of Allegiance has not been a longstanding tradition in America; in fact, it was only officially adopted as the pledge by Congress in 1942. The adoption was done largely as a source of nationalism during the World War II effort, as the United States entered the war only six months prior.

In many respects, the events unfolding in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson have been a flashpoint for many buried social issues.

America’s youths need strong leaders. Sometimes just one decision can change a child’s life from heading in a good direction to a disastrous one. America’s young people face problems like dropping out of school, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, STDs, crime, hunger, violence, cyberbullying, eating disorders and steroid use. Thankfully, the U.S. has outstanding parents, teachers, guidance councilers, school administrators, coaches, youth pastors, role models and other mentors to help its youth.

These days, the only thing more popular than a selfie is a video of ice water poured on someone in the name of charity.