Republicans should take advantage of opportunity; will not get another soon

(NOTE: This article originally appeared in the November 5, 2010 edition of Central Michigan Life.)

A second chance.

That was the common theme among victorious Republicans on Tuesday night.

It first came from Senator-elect Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who said in his victory speech the Republican wave across the country that catapulted the GOP into the majority in the U.S. House, cut the Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate in half, and saw numerous gubernatorial and statewide races go for the GOP was “not an embrace of the Republican Party but a second chance.”

It is a chance that must not be squandered because, as demonstrated by Tuesday night, the American voting public can be very unforgiving at the polls.

Students saw what happens when smart meets crazy during Westboro Baptist Church event

(NOTE: This article originally appeared in the November 3, 2010 edition of Central Michigan Life.)

There is an old expression that goes something like, “Never argue with an idiot because they’ll take you down to their level and then beat you with their experience.”

Shirley Phelps-Roper is many things. She is a hateful, spiteful, mean-spirited angry bigot whose words and actions are a disgrace to anybody who calls themselves a Christian or professes a love for Jesus Christ.

But she is no idiot.

Voters should consider the ballot before heading to the polls

(NOTE: This article originally appeared in the October 29, 2010 edition of Central Michigan Life.)

The question of whether it is a responsibility to vote is the basis of any basic political science class.

The debate hinges on whether it is better for the electorate of this country to be comprised of the greatest numbers possible or a smaller, yet more informed public?

To me, this has never been a question.

I grew up in a household where you voted. There was no question, no apathy, you just voted.

Michigan Promise scholarship should not be guaranteed by candidates who can not deliver

(NOTE: This article originally appeared in the October 8, 2010 edition of Central Michigan Life.)

Politicians really must think college students are dumb.

That is my only answer as to why Michigan’s politicians keep telling college students that they will bring back the Michigan Promise scholarship.

The Michigan Promise is gone and much like ‘N Sync, never coming back.

Gary Bettman is a damn nitwit

Picking on Gary Bettman is like picking the short fat kid in elementary.

Its easy. Everybody does it and there's plenty of material to use.

In this instance, its his absolute retardedness in scheduling the season opener of the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.

Don't get me wrong, as Red Wings fan, I despise the Blackhawks immensely.

But the defending Stanley Cup Champions who have great young stars such as Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews deserve more respect.

Cable news needs to rediscover ethics

(NOTE: This article originally appeared in the October 6, 2010 edition of Central Michigan Life.)

The decline in quality of the American cable news networks is nothing new.

Fox News and MSNBC have been steadily carving out their niche as a place for partisan blowhards to preach to their choirs while CNN has become the most trusted name in “info-tainment.”

CNN once had the most revered brand name in broadcast journalism and still features some of the best political analysis on television and their election-night coverage is second to none.

Where CNN is erring these days is their new emphasis on entertaining news, rather than just news.

Time to take back tailgating in lot 63

(NOTE: This article originally appeared in the October 1, 2010 edition of Central Michigan Life.)

Football fans and party seekers alike again face the year-old dilemma: Is it even worth it to tailgate in lot 63?

After the month that has seemed like years since the last home football game, the Chippewas return to action Saturday against Mid-American Conference West rival Ball State and the controversy over tailgating will once again return.

There’s no need in going over the administration’s failed tailgating policies that is killing game attendance and school spirit — they are horrible and we all know it.

Competing Facebook events have already sprouted up inviting students to tailgate either in lot 63 or to tailgate on Main Street.

From where I sit the answer is clear on where to spend your Saturday afternoon: Lot 63.

Both parties standing in way of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal

(NOTE: This article originally appeared in the September 24, 2010 edition of Central Michigan Life.)

What should have been a monumental and historic occasion was reduced to a political ploy for votes and ultimately failed, leaving a legal form of discrimination in place.

On Monday, a provision that would have led to the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the military law that prevents gays and lesbians from serving openly failed to garner the 60 votes needed to block a Republican filibuster in the Senate.

While pundits from both sides will try and lay blame at one specific group, there is plenty of blame to go around here.

Debates in gubernatorial race unnecessary

(NOTE: This article originally appeared in the September 20, 2010 edition of Central Michigan Life.)

Political debates are dull, tedious and boring, and thanks to this year’s gubernatorial candidates, Michigan voters may be spared from them.

The sides representing Democratic candidate Virg Bernero and GOP candidate Rick Snyder have not been able to compromise on how many debates should take place, when or where the debates should take place, the time they should be and who the moderators should be.

Fine, just scrap the whole idea.

Not all conservatives are far-right extremists

(NOTE: This article originally appeared in the September 15, 2010 edition of Central Michigan Life.)

As someone who freely admits to being politically conservative, it always angers me when people just assume I am tuned into Fox News 24/7 and I already have a ballot punched for Sarah Palin in 2012.

I do not watch Glenn Beck or even think Sarah Palin is qualified to run as much as a Dairy Queen.

I have no doubt President Barack Obama was born in Hawaii; not Kenya, Senegal or the forest moon of Endor. And I am not alone.