Browsing: Opinion

Editorials and opinions from the Lariat staff and readers.

There are heroes and villains in this world. Russia and other totalitarian states are embroiled in corruption, countless unreported atrocities and general malpractice. We are right to distance ourselves from such antagonistic powers. But does knowing what makes a nation not good mean that we embody — let alone know — what makes one good?

We must not put more unfit people in power just because of the party they affiliate themselves with. To ensure a better future for America we must improve the system we have been given by voting for candidates based on their merit, not their party.

What was once a way to see the funny videos your friends were uploading, social media has become a landfill of advertisements disguised as entertainment. Whether you realize it or not, you are exposed to hundreds of ads each day that influence your decision-making.

Science purports to have solved the proverbial question of whether infinite monkeys clacking away at typewriters could recreate Shakespeare’s works. They haven’t.

It’s not too late for the church to course-correct. Megachurches have the potential to do so much good, but only if they prioritize the Gospel over growth, humility over fame and service over spectacle. This means holding leaders accountable, ensuring transparency in financial practices and refocusing on the spiritual nourishment of their congregations.

We’re living in a world where a figure involved with the new administration does a Nazi salute at the presidential inauguration, books about government censorship are being banned by the government and cities are destroyed during “peaceful” protests. We’ve seen this unfold before. Make no mistake, political extremism is alive and and well, feeding off strategically placed propaganda running rampant through our media.

Too often are students told to “get a job that will get you the most money” or “you should be just like so-and-so” or “this career is the only one that’s worth it.” These statements are what causes students to become blinded to all of the opportunities that are available to them –– the opportunities that will make them happy and feel like the work they’re doing is worth something.

While TikTok may start as a harmless distraction, it often evolves into an obstacle getting in the way of productivity. Many students find themselves losing hours to unproductive scrolling, falling into procrastination spirals that eat away at valuable study time.

Sitting 80 years from the reign of concentration camps, some of the most influential people in the world have accepted, forgiven and laughed off a gesture that insulted generations. Hundreds of news publications and thousands of people stated their disbelief, but their opinions were quickly swept under the rug when their reasoning was dubbed “wokeism.”

Nonchalance is the enemy. It’s birthed out of fear or the assumption that another person might find us “weird” or too talkative. The effects of not opening up out of fear and losing meaningful connections are more harmful than coming off as “too much.”

Nearly 60% of all students experienced some form of depression, anxiety or stress in the 2020-21 school year which has doubled since 2013. Against the growing challenges of student life, one of the most essential steps is making space in your schedule for healthy habits.

America stands at a crossroads. Political divisions run deeper than ever, fracturing not just our ideologies but our relationships and communities. Yet, there are signs that a more peaceful transition and a renewed commitment to democracy might be within reach. The real question is: Can we overcome our differences and build a path forward, or have we passed the point of no return?

Some of the most beautiful parts of life can be found in film, literature, art or any other creative endeavor. Writing off an entire hobby because they’re “film bro interests” or any other pretentious label does more harm than good. You’re isolating yourself from an entirely new world to explore, all out of fear of standing out too much.

It’s easy to play the blame game in the midst of something so terrible, but pointing fingers doesn’t help anyone right now. Some Californians have lost everything in these fires. What should be the focus of peoples’ conversations and efforts is how to help, not who to blame.

So many of our day-to-day goods are outsourced internationally. Abusing sweatshops, cheap labor and raw material costs from other countries only hurts us. If we push our legislation to promote more domestic manufacturing, not only are we boosting our own economy, we are providing Americans with job opportunities and a sense of pride by producing domestically-made materials.

It matters very little if you like Hegseth’s politics or you don’t. We should all be able to recognize that a seasoned military leader with senior experience is desperately needed. Rhetoric isn’t enough. Words alone don’t win wars. Leadership qualities, knowledge of military tactics and a high level of experience do. As it stands, Hegseth hasn’t shown that he has any of these traits, and defense secretary is too important a position to roll the dice on an outside hire.

Since this article only discusses fast food joints, I will not include the all-time great wing spots, Wingstop and Buffalo Wild Wings, even though they are superior to just about every restaurant that serves wings.

But every kid with divorced parents knows the dread that creeps in as the weather grows colder and the days get shorter. It’s the dread of having to choose: Which parent will I wake up with on Christmas morning, and which one will wake up alone?

Driving an older car is like conversing with a respected mentor. They teach and provide you with experiences you wouldn’t have had if you woke up on your sweet sixteenth with a pair of keys to a new Mercedes-Benz.

While the rest of the world condemns these abominations, the U.S. stands and applauds. We send instruments of death to Israel’s genocidal project. Our weapons level their cities, with nearly 60% of all buildings in Gaza damaged or destroyed. And as generations of Palestinians are slaughtered, Israel sells property on their graves.

Real families have issues. They have tense meals and strained relationships. Being at school doesn’t fix those things; it just helps us forget about them. Regardless of the issues, our families are still our families. And what’s a better time to express our love for them than the holidays?

This holiday season, let’s try and change the conversation to something beyond how many pounds we’ve lost or gained. Shifting the focus onto other things can not only be for you, but also for other people in the room who don’t know how to speak up.

While seasonal depression has many effects, there are just as many ways to combat seasonal depression. The more common treatments include vitamin D supplements, light therapy, psychotherapy and prescribed medications. With the days ending much earlier in the winter than the summer, people suffering from SAD may plan to watch the sunset most evenings for vitamin D exposure and to help adjust internal clocks.

Find your ultimate peace and joy in Jesus and the community He will provide for you, whether that be in a chapter in Greek life or another community on campus.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the fashion industry is responsible for around 10% of global carbon emissions. This is more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.