The following is a joint editorial that the New University Editorial Board co-signed along with representatives from 43 other student newspapers in support of the editorial staff of the University of Oregon's Daily Emerald. Since the editorial was first published in several of these newspapers on March 6, 2009, the Daily Emerald has resumed publication on March 9, 2009.
THE FRESH-SWAG: Where do we begin? The Freshness and The Swagger are tag-teaming the issue of how good our volleyball team actually is. The reason for the dual column is simple: This issue is huge. Our team is incredible and is lining up a national championship as we speak.
THE D-TRAIN: Everyone makes mistakes. Whether or not the individual can learn from the consequences is entirely up to them. But when you disregard someone who has literally redefined the quarterback position, infusing agile dexterity into what used to be a conventional drop-back-to-pass formula, it doesn't seem like the most logical thing to do. Despite his legal issues, especially his role in a dog fighting operation that created a stir nationwide, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick deserves a second chance.
A California state assemblyman took a revolutionary step when he introduced a bill to legalize and tax marijuana in California. Tom Armiano, who believes that taxing the drug would help relieve California's financial crisis, began the first steps toward legalizing the famous, or infamous depending on your perspective, plant. If the legislation passes, California will be the first state to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
We, the academic community, are faced with an enormous challenge, one that confers great responsibility. Despite innumerable breakthroughs in biomedical research, our best efforts are not reaching the world's sickest and poorest. Every year, 10 million people die needlessly, simply because they lack access to existing medicines and treatments. Even as we continue to improve the lives of patients with HIV, cancer and other ailments in developed countries, the plight of those in the developing world has not similarly improved.
"I want to begin with an apology to all of you," began former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis at a special lecture to Professor Paul Wattenberg's class "Introduction to American Government" on March 1. "If I had beaten Bush I," he continued, "you would never have had a Bush II." Laughter ensued.
The California Supreme Court got it exactly right last May: gays and lesbians should have the same ability to express love and commitment through marriage as heterosexuals always have had. Gays and lesbians should be able to receive all of the legal benefits that marriage provides, and they should be able to experience all the same joys and disappointments of marriage that heterosexuals possess. I realize, of course, that there are some who vehemently oppose the idea of same-sex marriage. The solution is that they should not marry someone of the same sex; however, their personal preference is not a reason to deny others this right.
