Snowed in and underreported
Eric Hill
Opinion Editor
Recently this editor has fallen into the trap of doing what so many do in the editorial business: writing an opinion that sounds like a parrot. I like to think that I make my own opinions, and I do think for a reasonable period of time about subject matter before putting my fingers to the keys (often irritating my editors for not hitting deadline punctually), but occasionally, an original idea for a great editorial just doesn’t come. Such is the case this issue.
However, readers should know writing these editorials is not the extent of my job. I want to hear from you.
Where the hell are all the writers? I originally intended to do forums this semester at the compass each production day, but a series of rain and snowstorms have driven me from the outdoors. Once the weather clears up, these forums will take place, just right now it’s a little difficult to hear politics with frozen ears. On that note, I am impressed by the Libertarian club tabling in front of the Student Commons despite the not-so-balmy weather. Hopefully they will send me some writing I have requested. To all of the rest of you, start sending me some material so I can publish something I didn’t write for once. Just saying.
Despite not having a formal piece this week, there are a couple of things in the news that I feel must be reported, because of how underreported they are in U.S. news. Here follows a list of news stories I think VCU students should take a look at, form an opinion on and write their hearts out about.
1. Both Virginia marijuana decriminalization bills died in sub-committee. For now we’ll have to take expensive artificial drugs to deal with the depression the marijuana could have cured.
2. Nigeria is experiencing fresh sectarian violence. Police have been accused of killing innocent people, partly attributed to religious tensions between northern Muslims and southern Christians. There’s nothing funny about that.
3. Greece in entirely bankrupt, and the European Union is debating whether or not to assist them with financial aid: Greece is like Europe’s California, a lot of fires, a lot of debt and the weather tends to be pretty nice, when there aren’t any earthquakes.
4. Iran is attempting to enrich uranium further. The United States and other countries allege that Iran is enriching uranium to make nuclear weapons. Iran says the purpose is to make radioactive isotopes for medical reasons. While I can’t say I like Iran having nuclear power, there actually is a worldwide shortage of radioactive medical isotopes.
Take care in the snow.
