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Brandeis University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1949 | Waltham, MA

Condemn United States Gymnastics for their treatment of athletes

by Lizzie Grossman | 01/23/2018

In a powerful statement read in court on Jan. 18, 22-year-old McKayla Maroney shared the unfortunate story of her time with USA Gymnastics team. According to a Jan. 18 article in the Washington Post, Assistant Attorney General Angela Povilaitis read a statement on Maroney’s behalf, saying, “I had flown all day and night with the team to get to Tokyo. He had given me a sleeping pill for the flight, and the next thing I know I was all alone with him in his hotel room getting a ‘treatment.’ I thought I was going to die that night.” 

Reconsider Facebook’s poor attempt to combat fake news

by Nia Lyn | 01/23/2018

Facebook will begin implementing user surveys to determine the validity of news sources in the era of “fake news,” according to a Jan. 19 BBC article.  Founder Mark Zuckerberg chose this approach because allowing staff to decide what users see is “not something we're comfortable with,” according to the same article.  While this is an admirable approach to tackling the issue of false information, it may not be the best method for doing so.  

Views on the News: DisposeRx

  | 01/23/2018

According to a Jan. 17 NPR article, Walmart plans on offering DisposeRx to all individuals prescribed opioid drugs. The free product, when mixed with warm water and an opioid drug, creates a biodegradable gel that can safely be disposed of. Critics argue that while DisposeRx is useful, it will have little impact on the number of opioid-related deaths. What do you think of Walmart's decision, and do you believe this could help mitigate prescription opioid abuse? 

Urge University to implement BranVan service alerts

by The Justice Editorial Board | 01/23/2018

As a result of frequent delays and interruptions in BranVan service, this board urges the Escort Safety Service and the University to coordinate an effort to improve lines of communication between riders and the shuttle service operators, including the creation of a notification system that would allow students to be informed of any service changes. 

Urge more conservatives to speak on climate change

by Chris D'Agostino | 01/23/2018

Bridging the partisan divide on global warming seems next to impossible at first glance — and understandably so. Global warming clearly ranks low on the U.S. government’s priority list, and the lack of any serious climate-related proposals from a Republican-controlled Congress speaks volumes. It is no secret that the U.S. has alienated the rest of the world by failing to act, and much of this is due to the bizarre politics surrounding climate change 

Views on the News: White Racism Class

  | 01/16/2018

On Jan. 10, Florida Gulf Coast University introduced a class titled "White Racism," with the goal to "interrogate the concept of race" by examining racist ideologies. However, according to a Jan. 10 CNN article, the class was met with so much opposition — including a series of threatening emails sent to the professor — that campus police officers were posted outside of the class. What do you think of this type of class, and how do you think the university should proceed? 

Encourage University to recognize importance of divestment

by Brandeis Climate Justice | 01/16/2018

Brandeis, by investing in the fossil fuel industry, supports these actions that contribute to climate-change denial and climate change itself. However, Brandeis is an institution dedicated to social justice, and its investment policy states, “Only when the corporation is directly and substantially involved in activities clearly considered by the university community to be contrary to fundamental and widely shared ethical principles should the portfolio managers be instructed to avoid purchase of its securities.”   

Reconsider attitudes surrounding meat consumption

by Tafara Gava | 01/16/2018

 In the light of the ongoing dialogue about climate change, the United States’ rate of meat consumption has been a point of contention. According to a Dec. 1, 2016 MarketWatch article, research by the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests that Americans are among the highest consumers of meat per capita in the world, consuming, on average, 193 pounds of beef, pork, chicken and lamb a year. 

Condemn President Trump’s recent remarks about immigrants

by Judah Weinerman | 01/16/2018

It was the middle-school level insult heard around the world:  According to a Jan. 12 Washington Post article, last Thursday, President Donald Trump reportedly asked several lawmakers, “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” after they suggested protecting immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and several African countries.  

Consider possible options for the future of health care

by James Porkola | 01/16/2018

While the health care  debate will presumably continue for many years to come, there are paths forward that would give more coverage to individuals and eventually achieve the goal of universal health care. Since Republican efforts to repeal and replace the ACA have been put to rest for the present and massive public support for the ACA has shown a public acceptance of government-funded health care , the dream of a single-payer system — and the U.S. catching up to the majority of the Western world in terms of providing basic medical needs to its citizens — is hopefully within reach.  

Recognize the important nature of stem cell research

by Nia Lyn | 12/05/2017

A recent study conducted by researchers from Lund University in Sweden revealed the future implications of amniotic fluids in stem cell research. During normal cesarean section procedures, the amniotic fluid is discarded as medical waste. However, recent evidence proves that amniotic fluids are a viable source of stem cells. 

Evaluate Federal Reserve’s role in growing interest rates

by Morris Nadjar | 12/05/2017

The future of the United States economy is unpredictable, and its savior lies in the hands of the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve, also known as “The Fed,” is the watchdog of the U.S. economy; its purpose is to oversee and protect the U.S. economy. Dangers exist just as threatening as enemies like the Great Recession and the Great Depression that have occurred in the history of our economy. Although not formally known as the “Central Bank of the United States,” it serves the exact same purpose and is deliberately established free and separate of Washington’s grid of politics. 

Views on the News: Emergency Drills

  | 12/05/2017

According to a Nov. 29 New York Times article, Hawaii plans on reinstating tests for a Cold War-era warning system that will inform citizens of an impending nuclear attack. Beginning on Dec. 1, the alarm will play on the first business day of every month, along with the already regular natural disaster warning tests. Though the system has not been used since the mid-1990s, recent threats from North Korea make this precaution necessary, according to Richard Rapoza, spokesperson for the state's emergency management agency. What do you think of this decision, and is it appropriate? 

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