In the wake of the recent elections, the Republican Party is facing an identity crisis. While no one will call the 2012 elections a mandate, they reflect a change in the political landscape going forward. In an election where one of the major issues was a down economy, it seems that a fiscally conservative candidate…
Thank you, Jacob, for contributing the article “Realizing an academic right” in the November 2, 2012 Concordian. Your concern for stronger support for the intellectual life of hard-working students is commendable and connecting that concern with the library is manna from heaven for library staff. Part of the library’s strategic plan is to provide a…
When I think of what I tolerate, a few things come to mind. I tolerate long lines at Starbucks to receive my passion tea lemonade. I tolerate commercials during my favorite TV shows. I do not, however, simply “tolerate” those with religious beliefs, sexualities, or ethnicities that differ from my own. Tolerance, on the surface,…
As I observe the current debate on same-sex marriage, two things keep coming to mind: Concordia’s mission and my own marriage. I remember seeing Concordia’s mission statement every day on my way to class—over 10 years ago—but it’s only been relatively recently that I’ve really thought about its meaning and whether my choices are consistent…
Concordia’s library keeps the hours typical of many college libraries, making it, tragically, perfectly average. For those students set on transcending average (or virtually any student majoring in Concordia’s reputably challenging sciences), the library’s early closing proves a nuisance. Worse, the hours ultimately manifest an allocation of resources that sets academics and intellectualism lower on…
We take it for granted that all citizens have the right to vote regardless of their gender or race. We don’t think twice about seeing interracial marriages or “people of color” walking into a restaurant. In modern times these are considered normal. Few would say that we shouldn’t have given women or African-Americans the right…
Two years ago, I submitted a piece for this publication discussing apathy among students at Concordia. At that time I felt that students at our school were uninvolved, uninterested, and lacked a real commitment in becoming responsibly engaged. Now, as a senior, I have been exposed to a new perspective, both from my own experiences,…
It’s not often a Congressman publicly calls organizations which previously endorsed him “extremists.” Tuesday, however, when noted Democratic candidates Collin Peterson, Al Franken, Kent Eken and Ben Lien came to speak to Concordia, Peterson became one such anomaly. Peterson, Minnesota’s 7th congressional district representative, has held his office since 1991 and touts his position as…
During an election year, one can’t help but be bombarded by politics. Whether you’re watching the news, surfing the web, reading the paper or listening to the radio, politics will intrude on your daily life. This year’s presidential race lends extra urgency to our political system. Because this election is so important in numerous ways,…
Call it a paradox, call it an oxymoron, call it nonsensical or downright stupid—the words contained herein will opine on the folly of opinions, particularly those vehemently guarded. As almost-adults grasping desperately in those always-awkward adolescent years for some semblance of an individualized identity, the safety in the inspiring imperative to be oneself and stand…