Opinion

  • Disaster in Japan should inspire a transition away from nuclear energy

    After the March 11 tsunami in Japan, there has been extreme concern about high levels of radiation in the nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear plant. This concern has captured viewers around the world, nervous that the reactors will blow, creating a nuclear meltdown similar to the disaster now known as Chernobyl, which occurred…

  • Media misses the mark after Japan

    For the past three weeks, it seems that every report to come out of Japan regarding the earthquake and subsequent tsunami is worsening. The footage is gut wrenching and the tragedy is horrific. However, the American media never ceases to amaze me and continues to zero in on the nuclear fallout in the region. Every…

  • STAFF EDITORIAL | Fong too close for keynote address

    Early in December 2010, Butler students learned—via a Butler Connection e-mail—that outgoing university President Bobby Fong would serve as the keynote speaker for commencement in May. While we at The Butler Collegian are not opposed to Fong addressing the audience as one of the speakers, we are confused as to why he is the keynote…

  • The problem with Planned Parenthood

    A few weeks ago, Indiana Congressman Mike Pence offered an amendment that would cut the organization Planned Parenthood from all public funding. The “Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act” has more than 100 co-sponsors and has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Health. I am in full support of Congressman Pence’s bill and feel…

  • Pence, Republicans wrongly attempt to defund Planned Parenthood

    On Feb. 18, Republicans in the House of Representatives voted to strip all Title X funding to Planned Parenthood locations. This lack of funding means a lack of contraceptives, cervical cancer screenings and HIV tests. While some would argue that stripping Planned Parenthood of funding is a good idea, I disagree. Planned Parenthood is a…

  • Let the Libyan people decide

    In Benghazi’s city square, a banner 15 feet tall reads, in English:  “No foreign intervention. Libyan people can manage it alone.” Initial reports state that Libyan government thugs and mercenaries have massacred nearly 1,000 protesters. It’s probably going to get worse. How can we stand by and let more people die when we could prevent…

  • STAFF EDITORIAL | New gun bill spurs concerns

    On Feb. 14, a bill was passed in the Indiana Senate that would permit individuals to carry firearms in Indiana municipal buildings, such as Conseco Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium. While we understand the intentions of the bill, we hesitate to support allowing individuals carrying loaded handguns in highly trafficked areas. A common misconception of…

  • Walker unfairly demonized for Wisconsin vision

    For the past two weeks, it has been impossible to turn on the TV or log on to the Internet and not see something about the ruckus in Wisconsin. The protests and demonstrations by union workers in regards to their collective bargaining rights has successfully been turned into a media circus.  With Governor Scott Walker…

  • The civil war—a new cause for celebration in the south

    1865 marked the official ending of the Civil War, one of the bloodiest, most violent wars fought in American history. It was a war marked by racism, vicious slavery and innumerable deaths of American citizens. So why on earth would Southerners be embracing and even celebrating the 150th anniversary of the war now? The fact…