Criticize lax response to administrative racism at Brandeis
Last Monday, three members of the Brandeis administration stood before a town hall of students, professors, faculty, staff and alumni of Brandeis University to discuss the investigation of basketball coach Brian Meehan, in the wake of an April 5 Deadspin article that revealed numerous derogatory practices. This town hall’s efficacy was as dubious as any town hall, but it has opened the floor to a nuanced discussion about what Brandeis stands for and the value of diverse voices on campus.
Views on the News: Brian Meehan
On April 5, Brandeis University fired men’s basketball coach Brian Meehan hours before the release of a Deadspin article detailing Meehan’s history of racist and unprofessional behavior and the University’s failure to address a formal complaint lodged by several players. University President Ron Liebowitz announced that the school has brought in an independent counsel to fully investigate the University’s process for handling complaints. How should the University handle the fallout from Meehan’s conduct, and what steps should be taken to ensure a fair and equal campus for all students?
Shed no tears over the departure of Paul Ryan
To the departing Ryan, I can only offer one piece of advice: Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. While one would hope that Ryan would manage to summon the barest amount of a backbone now that he’s no longer reliant on voter appeal, I suspect that he’ll remain just as craven as ever and enable President Donald Trump’s worst behaviors right until the very end.
Consider market ramifications of US-North Korea tension
Since Kim Jong-un took leadership of North Korea after his father, Kim Jong-il, died in 2011, North Korea has been conducting heavy research on nuclear tests and missiles. Some analysts argue that their fierce rhetoric on nuclear power is just to strengthen their international standing, but their motives remain in question. Whatever the purpose is, the ramp-up is creating anxieties.
Condemn Facebook’s lax attitude toward user information theft
If you want an example of how Facebook has failed its users, look no further than Cambridge Analytica. Founded in part by Steve Bannon, this conservative political consulting firm has found itself at the center of a recent debacle for Facebook. A March 17 New York Times article revealed that Cambridge Analytica had accessed the personal information of millions of American Facebook users without their permission.
Criticize harmful national origin data collection bill
For people with mental health needs, health care providers conduct background screenings, and always ask for a detailed family history and personal history. If someone is a refugee or child of a refugee either from mainland China, Cambodia, or Rwanda, health care providers will know. People tell their needs and personal stories to their healthcare providers because there is always a basic level of trust between doctor and patient.
Views on the News: Tariffs
President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are preparing to impose $60 billion in annual tariffs against Chinese products, according to a March 19 Washington Post article. Supporters say that imposing tariffs will benefit American producers and curtail China’s growing economic influence, while detractors warn that tariffs could set off a trade war with China and destabilize global trade. Do you think the U.S. should impose these tariffs, and what effects could they have on the economy if implemented?
Caution against investment in suspicious companies
Earlier this year, Le Holdings grabbed widespread attention among Chinese stock investors for the dramatic plunge of its stock price after it resumed trading following a nine-month suspension.
Views on the News: Tillerson's Firing
On March 13, President Donald Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and indicated he would nominate current CIA Director Mike Pompeo as his replacement, according to the New York Times. Tillerson’s firing comes at a crucial time, as the United States prepares to enter peace talks with North Korea and investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. How do you think Tillerson’s firing might affect the current administration, and what does it say for the future of U.S. foreign policy?
Consider the risks involved in online grocery expansion
Even though the giants of e-commerce are still experiencing notable revenue growth, firms can no longer earn a considerable profit by simply moving their retail business online. In the long run, due to the increasing ubiquity of online shopping and growing competition from startups, e-commerce firms will need to find new ways to gain an edge over competitors.
Caution against ‘walk up, not out’ approach to gun violence
Brandeis’ campus, along with many other high schools and universities across the nation, is filled with “socially awkward teenagers,” so that isn’t the issue. The issue is that he wanted to inflict pain on others, not that he was somehow misunderstood. Despite knowing that there are people targeting and killing others, the nation is still not taking proper action to prevent future atrocities.
Condemn racism and divisiveness in political conversation
The immediate controversy drawn was to the racial context, given that James is an African American professional athlete, and Ingraham is a white woman. This debate, regardless of its propensity to incite indignation, is ultimately tangential to the core issue that is besieging American discourse from all sides. There is an underlying lack of empathy and compassion in any contemporary debate.
Promote questioning of repressive traditions and establishments
Authoritarian tendencies, which prohibit questioning, continue to dominate many parts of the world and even tempt a huge fraction of the populace in democracies. Questioning without the use of reason might well bury both reason and questioning.
Caution against wasteful practices in fast-fashion industry
Fashion in America is a large outlet of behavior that is dangerous for the climate. It is not what we wear; it is how long we wear it.
Condemn Iran's hypocritical repression of its female population
This is not the way a government should treat its people, especially a government which constantly claims to stand by values that would dictate otherwise.
Foster bipartisan consensus on gun violence debate
There is an urgent necessity for common-sense gun regulations to curb violence, but the strategies that the left has employed have been critically ineffective.
Round two, night two: Democratic candidates continue to fight for memorable moments
Democratic debates round two: night one's recap and rankings