Government officials remain skeptical of the authenticity of Miranda Barbour’s confession to killing more than 22 The story reads like a real-life rendition of the television show “Criminal Minds” — childhood abuse and prolific drug misuse create a complex, convoluted psyche with dangerous subconscious tendencies. But this is not your typical tortured soul. Cue the suspenseful music and prepare yourself […]
Read more
Past imprisonment should not disqualify felons and ex-convicts from participating in the democratic system Attorney General Eric Holder has recently been ramping up his actions within the Department of Justice in contrast to his first few dormant years under the Obama Administration. With this new second wind, Holder has been tackling issues that have been near and dear to his […]
Read more
Though Americans have the right to freedom of the press, some instances may require government intervention The U.S. has recently fallen 13 places in the World Press Freedom Index 2014, which ranks 180 countries based on restrictions and liberties regarding journalism, according to a NY Daily News article by Leslie Larson. The country is now ranked 46 — not horrible, […]
Read more
Being gay should not affect the decision-making process when evaluating a player’s talent before the draft Many different character traits have been hidden by NFL uniforms over the years. Drug addicts, those convicted for crimes and homosexual players have all at one point laced up their cleats for an NFL team. However, if drafted, University of Missouri senior Michael Sam […]
Read more
I still remember sitting in an American literature class one particular day of my sophomore year in the spring of 2012 and listening to Dr. Matthew Towles tell us about the ultramarathon he planned to run. As he lightheartedly asked for prayer from the class for the incredible feat he was training for, I could not help thinking how crazy […]
Read more
What should have been a patriotic advertisement caused controversy and outrage from millions of viewers This year’s Coca-Cola Super Bowl 2014 advertisement caused many viewers to jump on social media sites and freely bash the beloved soda company. The advertisement called “It’s Beautiful” featured people of different nationalities using different languages as they sang “America the Beautiful.” Granted, they were […]
Read more
What do smoking weed, abusing prescription medication, drinking and driving, pranking peaceful neighbors and assaulting a limo driver all have in common? Allegedly, Justin Bieber. His exploits make zingers like that one too easy. Seriously though, what is with this kid? And at 19 years old, is he even a kid anymore? Why does there seem to be a scandal […]
Read moreIncreased awareness and preventative measures resulted in a 13 percent decline in abortion rates over 4 years Many would argue that abortion has not had a national stage like the one it boasts of today since the days of Roe v. Wade in 1973 when the practice was legalized in all 50 states. According to new reports from the Guttmacher […]
Read more
Though temporarily beneficial, higher wages for federal workers could set a precedent for economic damage In a political maneuver that surely thrilled millions of Americans, President Barack Obama announced plans in his State of the Union Address to raise the minimum wage of certain federal workers to $10.10 per hour. He also discussed campaigning to raise the federal minimum wage […]
Read more
African-American History Month should focus primarily on American history and culture, not on race “We should emphasize not Negro history, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate and religious prejudice.” These are words from Carter G. Woodson, one […]
Read more
My social media feeds are now full of updates and pictures from professional baseball teams in Florida and Arizona preparing for the new season, and the Liberty Flames have already begun their season as well. No, the snow has not melted in Virginia, and the temperature still often dips below 32 degrees, but baseball is right around the corner. But […]
Read more
The Super Bowl is probably the most unique sporting event in the world. Sure, football does have a lot to do with the popularity of the big game, but every year, whether you’re a lifelong football fan or completely clueless, one culture-defying trend unifies the entire country – America’s one-day interest in advertisements. In a 2006 CBS News article, Yankelovich […]
Read moreDespite the negative connotations surrounding the holiday, there are still postitive aspects to a day of love Every Feb. 14, countless numbers of chocolates, candies, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones in the name of Saint Valentine. Despite the mixed popularity of the holiday, Americans spend a significant amount of money every year to commemorate the day of […]
Read moreObama weighs the options as American forces inch closer to a permanent return from war-torn Middle East According to President Obama’s annual State of the Union address, the war in Afghanistan could be leading to a complete troop withdrawal as we begin 2014. Should Afghan President Hamid Karzai refuse to sign a bilateral security agreement (BSA), a complete troop withdrawal […]
Read moreRussian President Vladimir Putin aims to prevent radical Islamists from overshadowing upcoming competition The modern Olympic Games began April 6, 1896. This was a battle of athletic brawn showcased in the hallowed coliseums of Athens. Over many centuries, the tradition has become a gala of patriotic glory, showcasing only the best the world has to offer. Throughout history, the Olympics […]
Read more